FAQs

Paws Across the Pond, a new GPA Program that reaches across the Atlantic to help the sight hounds of Europe is off to a wonderful start. Bobbie Wier Has been instrumental in organizing this program along with Anne Finch (Greyhounds In Need) Many thanks to all the chapters who are participating.

Many chapter have shared their letters and pictures with us and expressed their satisfaction at being able to help in some way. The following is a letter written by Kathy Keefer, GPA Northern Virginia which really puts into works what so many of us have been thinking.

It has been a true honor to be involved in the "Paws Across the Pond" project.
GPA Northern Virginia has been sending items for the Galgos dogs for many years
to Dr. Suzanne Stack for the Scooby Refuge project. We are thrilled to be a part of this new effort.

We have been lucky enough to have been chosen for this program and to have been equally lucky enough to be paired with Guadalupe who works with two refuges in Zaragoza and Huesca, both located in Spain. She is a delightful young woman that works very hard for and has so much love for the homeless creatures she cares for in her country - it is truly inspiring. In the words of Guadalupe:

It seems to me so pretty and nice that an unknown people wants to help us and whatever you send us will be happily received because we have no right to demand anything.

We have already sent Guadalupe a "care" package of things for just her - a calendar (which she adores), a sweatshirt, a t-shirt and a luggage tag. We sent this package for two reasons - the first, we really wanted to share with Guadalupe the love we have "together" for greyhounds everywhere. And secondly, to determine the amount of time it would take to send her packages. Imagine our surprise that she received this package within 10 days and on Thanksgiving (no less).

It is surprising, but I received your gift in Thanksgiving day, don't you think it is a good signal about our relationship?

I don't know about anyone else, but I truly think of the Thanksgiving arrival of items as a really GREYT "signal" about our relationship. There has been a wonderful outpouring of support for this program by all members of our group. It is just the thing to make us all realize that we can be of help both in the US and in Spain. Greyhounds are Greyhounds wherever they live. Guadalupe has brought this point home clearly with the following:

What I really love is the calendar. It is precious, and it demonstrates (this is not flattery, but also is the truth) how different American people are with regard to dealing with animals. I know every place in the world there are people who cause damage to animals, but I think that not in any account we could find in Spain a calendar dedicated to dogs that rescued and later adopted.

It is now the middle of December, and I am in the process of packing 4 HUGE boxes full of items to be sent. We have members whose parents are retired and sew. Each year they make over 100+ coats. We fondly call this effort "Retirees for Retirees". All of these coats will be sent to Guadalupe for the benefit of her refuges. We will also be sending collars and medical supplies. We have also had well over $500 donated towards this cause and we will be purchasing more items that can be used for our "sister" group in Spain and her charges. This is an ongoing effort - not just a one-time thing.

There are simply no words that will ever express the amount of joy that our group has experienced by participating in this project. We personally feel like we have a "greyt" friend in Spain. Perhaps this program should be called "Paws and GREYT FRIENDS Across the Pond".

Thank you for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the members of our group and within the world.

To date we have 15 chapters that have sister refuges in Spain. However, there are at least 10 refuges waiting for a GPA group to help them. This is an entirely volunteer effort and the groups appreciate anything they get. If you would like to become involved contact Bobbie

The goal of this program is for GPA to achieve placing 7000 greyhounds by 2007. We placed approximately 3500 in 2001, 4198 in 2002 and 4580 in 2003. Whether it’s 7000 or 6500, we want to try to make a significant increase. This would be accomplished primarily by developing and establishing new adoption programs where there are none or getting greyhound adoption promoted in areas where there are no local adoption programs. We are not interested in converting responsible, established, existing groups to GPA.