On November 10th, 2009, Dairyland Greyhound Park announced the closing of Wisconsin's last greyhound track. The end of racing will occur December 31,2009. This track opened in 1990 in Kenosha Wisconsin. The hard economic times and changes in gambler's habits (i.e. casinos) have driven the final "nail in the coffin".

Since Midwest Greyhound Adoption is one of the oldest greyhound adoption groups in the Midwest and we have assisted in 5 regional track closings, we have some experience with this situation. What will this mean for the dogs currently at the track? Although adoption groups may want to remove as many dogs as possible this early in the game, we will have to remain patient. Some dogs that are currently not running can leave. We have started some dogs on that homeward journey already.

Nearer to the closing date, there will be a sudden and immediate surge of adoptable dogs that will need to be removed in a relatively short time. Some dogs will be leaving to race at other tracks if kennels are able to "book" at another track. Some dogs may be returned to the owners. MGA, along with a few other adoption groups have been asked to be "back up" adoptions for some dogs that are going to a certain track in Florida that doesn't have the best of reputation as it's a high turn-over track. Also, we believe they will have an adoption kennel(s) that will remain open until all the dogs leave Dairyland.

Supplies and donations of money will help but ultimately, these dogs will need to have a home to go to. We will have a greyt need for additional foster homes. If you've considered adopting a greyhound, now will be a good time to act. If adopting a greyhound is not right for you at this time, there are many other ways to help out. Transporting dogs from Dairyland to our kennel, or other locations to meet up with groups taking dogs, helping out at the kennel with intake, (bathing, etc.), transporting dogs from our kennel to our vets in Plainfield, Minooka and Oswego, transporting them back....these are all valuable donations of your time that will be greytfully appreciated, along with cash donations to help pay for gas for transporting, medical expenses and dog food.

If you can help out with fostering, please contact the following:

Foster Home Coordinators
No Cats Joann Heyman choochoo1212@gmail.com
Cat Friendly Deb Dombrowski d.dombrowski@comcast.net

We want to thank all of you that are so concerned for the welfare of the greyhounds up at Dairyland Greyhound Park. What happens during these stressful and electronic times is that information is passed around and mutates into a panic. This is one of those situations. We ask that your help be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Please be aware that the numbers being talked about are probably not accurate. The process of this track closing and the subsequent removal of the dogs is being carefully planned and we have to give them, (the State of Wisconsin, Division of Gaming) some time to formulate an appropriate "exit strategy". We, as an adoption group for greyhounds, have been asked to give them until after Dec. 1st, 2009 to do so. At that time, we will be glad to keep everyone posted thru our webpage (www.midwestgreyhound.org) or thru or Facebook account.

I have been the director of Midwest Greyhound Adoption, an independent greyhound adoption group for 18 years now and have been thru 5 track closings in the Midwestern area. We have worked to get many broken legged greyhounds off the track at Dairyland and as such, have worked with many of the State officials there. I believe they are taking this closing VERY seriously and are aware that the media will scrutinize the final disposition of the dogs up there.

Here are the numbers we know so far:

The track at Dairyland only has 12 racing kennels.
Each kennel can have up to 72 dogs.
Some kennels will have "bookings" at other tracks and will be moving most, if not all of their dogs to these tracks.
Area adoption groups have already started to remove dogs that have already been retired and are no longer racing. (going into adoption)
Kennels will not be releasing active racing dogs until the track closes. (December 31st.)
At that time, the number of "adoptable" greyhounds will be more like 400-600 dogs.

In other track closings in Wisconsin, the dogs have been taken care of after the track closes until the last dog is gone. Food and kennel help will probably be provided thru donations and thru the necessary channels. Please do not do any harm to these dogs and the adoption group volunteers that so care for them by spreading extremist rumors. You have my word on it that precautions will be in place to make sure these dogs are not euthanized or that the dogs disappear.

Kari Swanson
whdog1@aol.com
Director
Midwest Greyhound Adoption