Annual charity event raises awareness on need of foster homes for greyhound dogs

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Many racing greyhounds are retired as early as two-years old. Often times, their fate is dependent on the kindness of others. Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Delaware is helping those furry friends find a permanent home.

“We want to have more adoptees. We also want to increase education and awareness on the breed. We love to do that,” GPAD Foster Coordinator Dana Peterson said.

Upwards of 500 attendees and 700 dogs will make their way to the Rehoboth Beach Convention over a 4-day stretch for the 28th annual Greyhounds Reach the Beach. GPAD says the event gives the community an opportunity to learn more about the four-legged friends transitioning from being an athlete to an actual pet. “We call references, we call your vet, and we do a home visit. Then based on your home and what your needs are, we try to find the perfect dog for you,” Peterson said.

Peterson said they often times have more available dogs than adopters, which keeps them in foster care longer. She added that’s why they’re hoping those companions pull at the heartstrings of more fosters like David Kerner. “Fostering is an amazing thing. You get these dogs right off the track and they already socialized. What you have to do is house break them,” Kerner said.

“A lot of the racetracks have closed so there’s less dogs available, but we still do get anywhere from five or so every month or two.”

Peterson adopted POD who lost his left front leg at just three-weeks old due to an injury. She told 47ABC they bonded from the start. “His breeder reached out to us and said if we could find him a home. I said yes and I wanted him. I didn’t want to make him a therapy dog,” she said.

Proceeds from the event go to support a variety of greyhound adoption sites.

The event will run through this Sunday, October 8th.

Registration is required to attend the educational sessions.

To find out more information click here