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 Operation
Greyhound
Operation Greyhound is a nonprofit organization dedicated
to finding responsible homes for greyhounds that are no
longer used by the racing industry.
Each year, the greyhound racing industry in the United
States has a turnover of approximately 36,000 young, healthy
greyhounds. These numbers do not include those from neighboring
tracks in Mexico and elsewhere around the world as well
as dogs culled from litters. Because there are no laws to
protect the greyhounds, a network of greyhound rescue organizations
has been established across the United States.
Operation Greyhound is one of the leading greyhound rescue
organizations in California, founded in November of 1991
by Bruna and Bob Palmatier. Located just east of San Diego,
Bruna and Bob have converted their garage into a shelter
for as many as 23 dogs. Operation Greyhound has rescued
over 1200 dogs since its inception.
 Operation
Greyhound is dedicated to:
• Rescuing greyhounds that are destined for destruction
by the racing industry, private or governmental organizations,
or individuals
• Rescuing greyhounds that are lost, abandoned, abused,
mistreated, or voluntarily released for adoption
• Providing immediate care and medical treatment for
rescued dogs
• Adopting dogs to qualified individuals or organizations
that can provide permanent safe and healthy environments
for rescued animals
Operation Greyhound rescues dogs primarily from non-kill
trainers and owners in an effort to convince other trainers
and owners to allow their dogs to be rescued rather than
killed. Most of the dogs at Operation Greyhound come from
the local track in Tijuana, Mexico, or from Tucson, Arizona.
Operation Greyhound does not collaborate directly with the
racing industry to obtain funding.
Operation Greyhound is committed to rescuing any greyhound,
regardless of the health, disposition, or history of the
particular dog. Operation Greyhound regularly accepts and
treats sick dogs suffering from Valley Fever, Rocky Mountain
Spotted Fever, Babesia, Ehrlichia, kennel cough, and broken
bones. Older dogs and those with special problems are often
brought into Bruna and Bob’s house as their own pets
rather than staying in the kennel where it may be unlikely
that they will find a new home.
Some dogs may not be officially registered as racers because
the sire is unknown or they have been bred outside of the
racing industry. Because of their speed and agility, some
people are now breeding greyhounds to chase coyotes and
other prey. Dogs are found abandoned in the nearby deserts
and rural areas, often starving and dehydrated. This new
and dangerous version of coursing is endangering the lives
of even more greyhounds.
Greyhounds as Pets
 The
behavioral traits and physical abilities of the greyhound
have made them a "favorite" throughout the ages.
These gentle dogs do make excellent pets as they are friendly
by nature, socialize well, and are great with children.
Contrary to the images portrayed at racetracks, greyhounds
are calm, quiet, clean, and need no more exercise than a
typical dog. Greyhounds are often called "40 mile per
hour couch potatoes" as they relish lying around in
comfortable surroundings. Greyhounds are highly intelligent
and very appreciative of their new homes. The typical greyhound
is between 50 and 75 pounds and may be of nearly any color
and pattern.
Brief History of Greyhounds
It is difficult to understand the current status of the
greyhound when examining the history of these special animals.
The greyhound, a member of the sighthound family, is the
oldest of purebred dogs known to mankind, as depicted in
Temple drawings in Turkey dating back to 6000 BC. Greyhounds
were highly regarded in the ancient civilizations of Egypt,
Greece, and Rome and were often featured in the mythology,
literature, and art of the times. During the Middle Ages,
greyhounds were protected from harm by royal decrees and
the punishment for killing a greyhound in Wales, circa 900
AD, was death. The greyhound was a favorite subject for
several Renaissance artists.
Greyhounds are the only breed of dogs mentioned in the Bible,
in Proverbs 30: 29-31 and was the first breed of dog mentioned
in literature in Homer’s Odyssey, from ~800 BC. Odysseus
was recognized upon his return only by his greyhound.
Coursing – The Beginning of the Exploitation
Greyhounds can see a small moving object at distances up
to 1/2 mile and have been measured at speeds over 40 miles
an hour which led to their involvement in coursing. The
sport of coursing became popular in the 1700’s starting
in the British Isles then spreading across the European
continent, as greyhounds were released in fields to chase
rabbits. Coursing was known as the "Sport of Queens"
as this was a favorite pastime of Queen Elizabeth in the
16th Century. Immigration of Europeans to America also brought
the greyhound and the sport of coursing. In the early 1900’s,
Owen Patrick Smith developed the modern version of greyhound
racing on an oval track, and so the racing industry was
born. By the 1990’s, greyhound racing gambling revenues
had grown to a multi-billion dollar industry. And so the
fate of the once noble and revered greyhound was sealed.
Daily Operations
Bruna, Bob, and the staff of assistants, mostly volunteers,
perform a variety of duties each day, around the clock,
to insure the well-being of the recued greyhounds. The dogs
are turned-out regularly for exercise, bedding is changed
and fluffed, and fresh water is provided. Feeding occurs
twice a day. After a short "orientation" to their
new environment, recent arrivals are quickly examined for
wounds and broken bones, bathed, and rid of fleas and ticks.
Each dog is given as much human attention as possible from
the staff to help them adjust to their new surroundings.
Prior to adoption, every dog is neutered/spayed, given a
dental examination including cleaning, vaccinated, wormed,
and blood tested for tick-born diseases.
Potential adopters are carefully screened to insure the
greyhound’s new home will be safe and comfortable.
The commitment of the applicant is most important, as the
well-being of the dog for the rest of its life is critical
to Operation Greyhound.
New Site Plans
While some may consider rescuing, caring for, and adopting
out 120 dogs per year, all from one’s home, a daunting
task for two people and a small staff of mostly volunteers,
Bruna and Bob want to do much more. (And by the way, Bruna
and Bob both hold down full-time jobs!). Operation Greyhound
is currently beginning construction of an expanded facility
near its current location on 10 acres of purchased land.
The new site, named The Greyhound Rescue and Adoption Center,
is an important step towards improving the plight of the
racing greyhound by providing sufficient facilities to triple
the number of Operation Greyhound rescues and adoptions.
 The
Center will include the following:
• A facility to accommodate up to 40 rescued ex-racing
greyhounds that are ready for adoption.
• A park-like setting where visitors can interact with
the greyhounds that are available for adoption.
• A "New Arrival" kennel area for 12 incoming
greyhounds.
• An Animal Medical Facility
• A kennel facility to accommodate up to 10 visitors’
dogs.
• A Visitors’ Center
• The Caretaker’s House for the Center’s
permanent resident.
 Murray
tests his fishing skills at his new home.
How Can You Help?
Thanks to the efforts of Bruna, Bob, and all of the volunteers
and staff, hundreds of greyhounds have already been rescued.
But more work needs to be done. Operation Greyhound needs
additional support to maintain its current facilities and
establish the new site. Please visit the web site for additional
information on greyhounds as pets, volunteering, events,
donations, and dogs that are ready for adoption. Operation
Greyhound can be reached at the following:
Operation Greyhound
273 Chicory Lane
El Cajon, CA 92021
Adoption Representatives:
Bruna and Bob Palmatier
Telephone 619-588-6611
FAX 619-593-1337
Web Address
www.operationgreyhound.com
E-Mail operationgreyhound@home.com
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