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What Do Race Horses, Greyhounds and Lab Animals Have in Common?

Wednesday, 26 August 2009, 8:19 | Category : Animals in Entertainment, Campaigns, Companion Animals
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greyhoundIf you guessed that they are considered disposable by the people who use them, then you’re right.

In this country there is no system in place that requires the people who make money off the backs of animals to care for them in their retirement years. Basically, animals need a pension plan.

The hard fact is that racing animals is legal. As is testing on animals for reasons such as providing people with botox. But once the race is finished or the test is complete, the animals are either discarded or euthanized. So many former race horses end up in slaughter houses in Canada and Mexico (since the USA outlawed horse slaughter, that’s now where the horses are sent). Greyhounds end up in shelters or euthanized. Just look up greyhound shelters and you’ll see tons of them devoted just to that one breed.

All of these practices are legal. They are not going to be outlawed any time soon. But something can be done to ensure that these animals are taken care of after they have finished being used. Make the people in the industries set aside cash for the care of these animals.

An opinion piece in the NY Times talked about that very issue yesterday. Read it here.

I’m not aware of any campaigns in the AR world to get this done. Has anyone else heard anything? If there isn’t, then there should be.

PS: The dog in the picture is named Kevin and he’s up for adoption. Click here to learn more about Kevin. He’s currently in a foster home in Connecticut getting along famously with cats and kids.

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  • Glenda

    This is copied from the “Greybound Board of Great Britain” and pertains to buying a Greyhound and subsequent care.
    “When your greyhound’s racing career comes to an end
    It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that his or her greyhound is cared for once its racing days have finished. Many greyhounds race until they are four or older, but it must be remembered that injuries do occur which can end a racing career prematurely.

    There are home finding schemes which will help to find suitable homes for retired racers but many owners take their ex-racers home with them and are rewarded with the most doting and gentle of pets.

    It cannot be stressed enough that the sport of greyhound racing values its reputation for putting greyhound welfare as its highest priority. If you do not have plans or have not considered what you are going to do with your greyhound when its racing days are over, then we would rather you think again before purchasing a racing greyhound.

    Of course, we want you to become an owner and become a part in this fantastic sport. However, we want responsible owners, not irresponsible owners”.

    For further advice on the care of your greyhound at the end of his racing career, click here to visit the Retired Greyhound Trust website: http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk

  • Glenda

    This is copied from the “Greybound Board of Great Britain” and pertains to buying a Greyhound and subsequent care.
    “When your greyhound’s racing career comes to an end
    It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that his or her greyhound is cared for once its racing days have finished. Many greyhounds race until they are four or older, but it must be remembered that injuries do occur which can end a racing career prematurely.

    There are home finding schemes which will help to find suitable homes for retired racers but many owners take their ex-racers home with them and are rewarded with the most doting and gentle of pets.

    It cannot be stressed enough that the sport of greyhound racing values its reputation for putting greyhound welfare as its highest priority. If you do not have plans or have not considered what you are going to do with your greyhound when its racing days are over, then we would rather you think again before purchasing a racing greyhound.

    Of course, we want you to become an owner and become a part in this fantastic sport. However, we want responsible owners, not irresponsible owners”.

    For further advice on the care of your greyhound at the end of his racing career, click here to visit the Retired Greyhound Trust website: http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk

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