 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The American Greyhound Council, Inc. (AGC), a non-profit corporation, was formed in January 1987 with the general purpose of providing for the welfare of the racing greyhound and for the betterment of the greyhound industry. The Council is governed by three representatives from the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) and three from the National Greyhound Association (NGA).
Since its founding, the Council has reviewed proposals and funds those that clearly meet the AGC's stated mission. These programs address a wide range of issues pertinent to the industry including funding and promoting greyhound adoption; supporting research into finding cures for diseases that threaten the health and well-being of greyhounds; staffing an inspection program to rid the sport of irresponsible individuals; and providing education and materials for trainers and veterinarians, so they can give greyhounds the best possible care and treatment. The AGC has adopted strict guidelines with regard to the care and disposition of greyhounds and anyone found in violation of the standards are banned from the industry for life. Today, the American Greyhound Council is supported by 40 contributing tracks around the country and the owners who race at those facilities. This is approximately 70 percent of all tracks in operation. |
|
| Programs supported by the AGC include: |
| Adoption |
| The AGC is a proponent of placing greyhounds in homes as pets once their racing careers have ended. The AGC funds a number of programs to promote greyhounds as pets and to support those organizations involved in greyhound adoption. These programs are in addition to individual track funded and supported programs on a local level. Greyhound Pets of America(GPA) volunteers answer the 800 number (1-800-366-1472) funded by the AGC. The number, which is designed to facilitate nationwide greyhound adoption activities, is engineered to route calls to 13 different GPA representatives located throughout the United States. The system is designed to respond to callers with information within 48 hours. Agencies involved in placing greyhounds as pets are supported by two AGC funded-programs. The first is a direct annual $1,000 grant given to those adoption agencies that meet established criteria. The second program, The Greyhound Adoption Fund, is administered by the ASPCA and is designed to support adoption groups needing emergency funding or limited capital improvements. Since the establishment of two programs, over 300 grants totaling in excess of $400,000 have been distributed. In 1994 the AGC instituted an electronic bulletin board service to assist in placing, transporting and caring for retired greyhounds. This computerized database service maintains lists of greyhound pet organizations, racetracks, haulers, greyhounds available for adoption and adoption groups needing greyhounds to adopt. Through a grant to Canine Working Companions, Inc., greyhounds are being trained to assist people who are physically disabled or hearing impaired. Some also are being trained for visitation and therapy programs. |
|
| Research |
| The AGC supports and encourages universities and veterinarian researchers to undertake projects which enhance the health and well-being of racing greyhounds.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University is undertaking AGC-sponsored research on the prevalence of salmonella in rendering raw meat. Through identification, appropriate steps can be taken to minimize its prevalence, thereby reducing kennel sickness. On an ongoing basis, the AGC sponsors updating the International Greyhound Research Database which is produced under the supervision of Linda L. Blythe, D.V.V. Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. The directory is a comprehensive list of all research relating to the care of greyhounds. |
|
| Care and Treatment of Greyhounds |
| The greyhound industry will not tolerate abuse and has developed a program designed to identify and ban indiviuals from the sport who do not provide proper care and treatment for their athletes. In 1987, the AGC established the greyhound farm inspection program. One full-time and 75 part-time inspectors make unannounced visits to greyhound farms throughout the country. The inspectors use industry adopted standards as guidelines in making their inspections. The standards include everything from the general care of greyhounds to how they are housed. They cover feeding and exercise programs, the size and shape of crates, the cleanliness of the premises and the supervision of greyhounds. Those individuals not in compliance are subject to a disciplinary hearing which can result in explusion from the sport. |
|
| Education and Training |
| The board of directors of the AGC believes they have a responsibility to provide the industry with the tools it needs to give greyhounds the best care and treatment. As a result, the AGC funds a number of programs to educate trainers in the latest techniques.
The Council provided funding to produce copies of the "Sound Examination of the Racing Greyhound"-- a videotape depicting Dr. James Gannon's technique of checking a greyhound for injury and soreness. "Care of the Racing Greyhound", a comprehensive textbook that outlines specific attributes, traits and needs of greyhounds as they relate to care and training was published in 1994 by the American Greyhound Council. The textbook is authored by leading greyhound veterinary specialists, Drs. Linda Blythe, James Gannon and Morrie Craig and was three years in development. Through the Greyhound Hall of Fame, the AGC produced a two-part video series on the latest techniques in caring for greyhounds. Part one focuses on breeding and development up to the time the greyhound is sent to the track. The second in the series covers track activities and the information needed by an apprentice trainer. |
© 2007 American Greyhound Track Operators Association Contact: Webmaster Internet Explorer ~ Adobe Acrobat Reader ~ Windows Media Player |