Greyhound Pets of Atlantic Canada will hold an information session Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Global Pets in Stellarton for anyone interested in finding out more about their program.
“It’s an opportunity to see the greyhounds and ask questions about them just in case you are interested in pursuing an adoption,” said Brenda Rose, a member of GPAC.
GPAC was established in 1990 and has adopted out more than 3,200 dogs total in the Atlantic Provinces. The dogs are spayed/neutered, dewormed, tick free and given their first dental scaling and needles before they are adopted out.
Rose said the greyhounds, who have been retired from the racing circuit and are in need of home, are matched with their news owners through a process that takes in the needs and wants of both the dog and the people.
She expects there will be about 15 greyhounds on hand throughout the day and about nine greyhound owners.
Greyhounds will not be available for adoption Saturday, but people can find out more about the adoption process.
Rose said a similar event held in Stellarton last year led to five greyhounds finding homes in Pictou County.
She said some of the frequent questions ask about greyhounds are if they are abused animals, do they all hate cats and must they be on a leash at all times.
The greyhounds come from a premium-racing program, she said, so they respond to love and affection, or treats, and not beatings.
They must be on leashes outside in wide open spaces because when their instinct kicks in to chase something, their hearing shuts off, Rose said.
“By the time they have caught what they are chasing or realize they aren’t going to, they haven’t left any pee trail to find their way home.”
She said the dogs’ relationship with cats or children are similar to any other breed. Some dogs like them, some don’t so the adoption process will include home visits by a GPAC member and greyhound to determine which dog is best suited for which owner.
“Greyhounds are tolerant,” she said. “When they are at the track, they are performing for the affection of a trainer. They are people motivated and more people originated than most,” Rose said.
For more information on Greyhound Pets of Atlantic Canada, search online at gpac.ca.