Educate, educate, educate.Our best tool to help the public make informed decisions about the shameful practice of greyhound racing is you! This is grassroots activism at its best – one voice, one letter, one phone call at a time. Together we can make a difference and, indeed, in many ways we already have.
For years, thousands upon thousands of gentle greyhounds suffered and died in silence, but now that silence is over thanks to individuals who care enough to speak out and educate. Once the public truly understands the suffering and waste of life involved in greyhound racing, we are convinced that we can end this shameful practice. [Click here for information on upcoming demonstrations and awareness rallys].
To help us, be sure to take the time to know the facts. It's as simple as carefully reading the information throughout this web site. Learn about the number of tracks, where they are located, and why the complex economics of dog racing make impossible to ever regulate dog racing to make it humane. We encourage you and others to read the information, analyze it, and make your own decisions. The facts speak for themselves.
Many groups use widely varying numbers when discussing the amount of greyhounds killed each year. GPL's current position is that approximately 20,000 - 25,000 greyhounds are killed each year. This is a conservative estimate, and it is based on the greyhound racing industry's own breeding reports. It's important to realize that the greyhounds being killed this year range from young pups to age five. They are part of a vast pool of racing greyhounds bred over a five year period.
It's important that we all represent the plight of the racing greyhound responsibly. Here are brief suggestions:
DON'T exhibit violent or destructive actions toward anyone or anything.Our effort to educate the public is entirely peaceful and based on factual information. Our grassroots effort is led by ordinary citizens from all walks of life – nurses, artists, lawyers, business professionals, entrepreneurs and others – who have discover the sad reality of dog racing and cannot walk away without enacting change. We try to appeal to other average citizens to learn the truth and help us.
DON'Texaggerate – the facts speak for themselves.Become familiar with documented cases involving the treatment/disposal of racing greyhounds and the way GPL estimates the numbers of dogs killed annually. Try to speak using words that the average individual can relate to. Whenever possible, cite recent documented cases.
DON'Tmake sweeping generalizations – as the saying goes, you can't paint everyone or everything with one brush stroke.Use qualifiers such as "many dogs," "most people, "some tracks"…etc. There are some responsible individuals in greyhound racing, but unfortunately they cannot solve the economic forces that require the production of thousands of greyhounds annually and often compromise on humane treatment of the animals. It's very important to understand the complex economics of the racing system and how they relate to the treatment of the dogs.
In generalDON'Tfocus attention on a specific dog track -- focus on the practice of dog racing in your state and around the country.Remember that individual tracks or states can't claim to solve the problems inherent in dog racing because a racing greyhound may live in many states in the course of its lifetime. For example, a dog may be bred in Ohio, raised at a training farm in Kansas, and proceed to race in Florida, Wisconsin, and end up in New Hampshire.
You CAN pinpoint problems at a specific track if you have written documentation – such as a recent newspaper article discussing poor conditions at the facility, frequent accidents caused by poor track surfaces, etc. However, unless this includes documentation of terrible atrocities or large numbers of dogs killed, this information should be a secondary focus.
DON'Tfocus on specific individuals involved in greyhound racing – attacking specific individuals could result in claims of slander or libel.Again, stay focused on the practice of dog racing in your state and around the country. DO talk in general terms about the role of various types of individuals involved in greyhound racing such as state racing commissions, track owners, kennel owners, trainers, etc. Again, use qualifiers such as "most," "many," and "some."
DOpromote the placement of greyhounds as pets and be prepared to let people know where they can find local adoption sources, but be clear that this effort alone cannot solve the problem. As long as large-scale greyhound racing is allowed to exist, thousands upon thousands of greyhounds will need to be produced. While placing the dogs as pets saves lives and educates the public about the breed, it is often used as a front to make the public believe that few dogs are killed. In reality, thousands of greyhounds are destroyed annually.
If you live in a state where greyhound racing is legal, a good way to educate a large number of people is to generate awareness through local newspapers. Many people who live in racing states don't even realize that such facilities exist. You might consider writing a letter to the editor to tell others about what you've learned. Ask your friends to do the same in other communities. Shorter letters are more apt to be published.
Letters to the editor are also more likely to be published when you have a "news" angle. For example, your letter may be in response to a recent positive article on the local dog track, the opening of the racing season, or efforts by a track owner to obtain tax breaks or to legalize other forms of gambling, etc. Use every opportunity to get out the story of what happens to greyhounds under the racing system.
Better yet, speak to editors about the plight of greyhounds and provide them with information to do a story. Reporters have been the best source of uncovering atrocities and the routine killing of greyhounds from specific tracks.
Please send a copy of all published letters to the Greyhound Protection League and to Greyhound Network News as quickly as possible.
To educate track patrons and the local community about the suffering and waste of life caused by greyhound racing, many volunteers are now holding awareness rallies outside local dog tracks. This effort simply involves volunteers holding signs and photos to educate incoming patrons prior to race time. See News & Action Items to see whether rallies are being held at a track near you. If not, consider starting a rally yourself. Here are some quick tips:
Call the track to check on the racing "post" times on the day you plan to hold the rally. Most tracks have a race card in the early afternoon and early evening. To catch the most incoming traffic, plan to start 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours beforehand. Some tracks do not hold races in the afternoon or on Sundays. It's always a good idea to check each time.
Call the local police to find out where you can stand during the rally. Typically a portion of the roadside belongs to the town and is considered public property. See if you will need a permit to hold the rally (some towns require permits for a large group of people). Occasionally, the local police will clearly side with the track, but it is your right to speak out on an issue. It's also a good idea to ask for police protection in the event that track workers object to your presence. In most towns, this is available upon request.
Once you've established a date, send GPL information that we can post on this web site. The more lead time you have to contact volunteers, the better. Usually at least one month's notice is best. If you plan to conduct rallies regularly, you might consider setting up a phone tree (each person has a list of people to call) so that many people can be notified quickly.
Ask rally volunteers to be highly respectful to track patrons – remember, you are there to educate, not to condemn. Present the facts and let people decide for themselves. Some groups wave to incoming patrons. Others have had success by holding up signs that read: "Honk If You Support Us." The "honks" are growing tremendously each year.
The signs that work best are those with large, legible type. Some volunteers generate signs off a computer and then have them enlarged at a copy shop. GPL also has some signs that can be copied and enlarged. Vinyl banners are more expensive but last longer. One good, relatively inexpensive source for this is a company called Fast Signs that is located in many areas. Other volunteers have blown-up some photographs from GPL brochures. These are graphic, but unfortunately they are what many people respond to most.
Suggested Signs:
Remember to bring a camera and send photos and information about the rally to Greyhound Network News.
In some instances, angry track workers will scream obscenities, etc. at rally volunteers. Our policy is to simply ignore such comments altogether, to stay above the fray and insist that other volunteers do so. Yelling back reduces the effectiveness of our message to those driving by.
Some track owners have security guards try to intimidate by photographing rally attendees, etc. These tracks are usually the ones that attract the most attention from the press. Again, ignoring these tactics is the best course of action. You might also consider photographing the guards and their attempts to intimidate the group.
Rally attendees should be careful not to step on track property, not to stand in the road or cross the road frequently to obstruct traffic, and not hang signs on track or public property. In most cases, it's not a good idea to pass out pamphlets (again, because it may cause traffic problems) unless there is a public place nearby where drivers can pull out of the road. In general, use common sense and act responsibly.
Please do not pamphlet cars or other parts of the facility with GPL brochures. Respect the fact that the track facility is private property.
If you are sure that your rally will be attended by more than 15 people, you should consider alerting the local media so that your message will be carried out to the local community at large. Be sure to notify print press, television, and the larger radio stations (for maximum attention, send to the attention of the news editor by name).
It's best to send a press alert/release to the media one week prior to the event. Place follow-up phones calls as soon as you expect them to receive the release and also on the day of the rally. Some editors will want more information in advance so they can do a more thorough story. News desk are often staffed by different individuals on the weekend, so it's important to follow-up twice. At the rally, specify a press contact who feels comfortable speaking to the press and knows the facts. At first this can be a little intimidating, but with practice you will become more comfortable. Please send any published articles to GPL and Greyhound Network News, an independent clearinghouse of information on the plight of the racing greyhound.
For another pro-active way to volunteer, consider hosting an information table at a local mall*, animal shelter, greyhound placement group reunion, or dog shows. Encourage others to copy the information and "spread the word" themselves. You might also consider asking your local city library to host an exhibit on the issue. Contact GPL for information to distribute and posters to display. Most tables have the following:
*To host a table at a mall, you will need to secure the permission of the owner each time.
If you plan to introduce legislation to ban greyhound racing in your state, the best way to start is to initiate a petition campaign. Then you can show legislators the amount of support behind the issue. This is often important in getting a specific legislator to sponsor or co-sponsor the bill. You will need to show him/her how many constituents support the initiative. Ask individuals not only to sign the peititon, but to take an extra copy and collect signatures themselves. Signatures can also be collected by asking veterinarians, animal shelter managers, and other facilities to collect signatures directly. You can also ask other animal-focused groups to mail to their memberships.
Many children and college students contact GPL for information to help them give a presentation on the plight of the racing greyhound. This is a wonderful way to educate the younger generation.
