8 people found this review helpful
GREY2K USA
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May 16, 2012
8 people found this review helpful
I have read many reviews, interviews and other articles and arguments for both sides. I find it interesting that every negative review on this site is critical and called track supporter. I find that doubtful at best. I have been a volunteer for greyhound adoption for 13 yrs. Never have I received any salary, or pay for what I do. I don't take funds or food for my fosters and I travel a great many miles to assist in finding homes for retired racers. I chose to honor greyhounds with that title, never calling them rescued. I would advise both sides to be respectful of ALL opinions, and be very careful about what you call "facts". I find it very hard to respect GREY2K USA for what they do, and yes, that is my opinion. And before Carey2 labels me as a track supporter, I am not, nor have I ever been for or against greyhound racing. BUT I do know if it were not for greyhound racing, I would not have had been blessed with 10 angels and my current pack of 8. They give me all the joy I could ever ask for. An AKC grey is not the same, so for me, give me a retired racing greyhound any day.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
May 16, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
I have never come across a more dedicated, hard-working knowledgeable group of people than the staff of GREY2K USA. They are indefatigable in their mission to end the cruel 'sport' of dog racing, and thus save the lives of countless greyhounds in the process.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Unsure
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
7 people found this review helpful
May 16, 2012
7 people found this review helpful
I have a rescue from A Place For Us Greyhounds. He came to me in great condition. He is a happy, well adjusted friend. I believe that NRA and AKC can peacefully coexist. There are good and bad on both sides. I know Greyhounds can be injured or mistreated no matter who has them. Miss Summerville does more than just show her dogs. They also work and appear to love what they do. I am a member of several Greyhound Forums and have found that my Ukraine friends treat their racing dogs' with love and respect. No, I have not personally seen them but have a good feeling about the people. They do not negate me because I believe both types of dogs have their place in this universe.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
5 people found this review helpful
May 16, 2012
5 people found this review helpful
The fact that GREY2K USA is not an adoption group has been addressed many times on many forums. I can’t say why the handful of those who try to detract from GREY2K USA seem not to understand the difference between a greyhound advocacy group and a greyhound adoption group, but here goes:
Greyhound advocacy groups are IRS 501(c)4 charitable organizations that have the ability to lobby and legislatively pass laws without restriction (but donations are non-tax-deductible);
Greyhound adoption groups are IRS 501(c)3 charitable organizations that can only spend an "insubstantial part" of their budget to lobby (and donations are tax deductible).
This is easy to understand, and since GREY2K USA is an advocacy group, I’m wondering why GREY2K USA is criticized for not adopting greyhounds, except possibly . . it is an easy criticism to try to make in the hope that it sticks.
When speaking about greyhound racing in Massachusetts, I can’t say why the handful of GREY2K USA detractors seems not to understand, but here goes:
Greyhound racing ended in Massachusetts because it was voted out by the public. Question 3 on the ballot was brought by GREY2K USA, because that’s what advocacy groups do. But the outcome of Question 3 was the will of the voting public.
That statute to end racing in Massachusetts, which was authored by GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine Dorchak, provided for a 14-month phaseout, from Nov 2008 to Jan 2010. That’s 14 months’ longer notice, or 60 weeks’ longer notice, or 420 days’ longer notice than so many people receive from employers. During that time, the racing greyhound owners and kennel operators in Massachusetts could have (and in my opinion, should have) made provision for each and every greyhound in their care / possession. They could have made arrangements to move their greyhounds (and themselves, if they desired) to racetracks in other states; or they could have made arrangements for each of their dogs to go to adoption groups if they themselves chose to go into another line of work. 14 months is a long time to accomplish either of those decisions. Also quite unusual, during that 14-month period, and afterward, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts offered free job re-training to greyhound industry workers, supplementing a federal program that was already in place.
Thankfully, it is worth mentioning that the high majority of greyhounds leaving Wonderland and Raynham Parks were made available for adoption (nearly 1000), while others were sent on to continue racing at tracks in other states. This was the decision of their legal owners, and greyhound advocates could not force their release to rescue groups.
These facts are also easy to understand, which makes me wonder why GREY2K USA detractors don’t point out that when racetrack owners have decided to close tracks, there were no such provisions for industry workers. In 2009, Phoenix Greyhound Park announced its impending closure out of the blue and gave 90 days’ notice. Also in 2009, Dairyland Greyhound Park announced its impending closure on short notice. No job re-training was offered in each of those instances.
No one expects everyone to be on the same page regarding greyhound racing. But, for those in the greyhound racing industry to actually not understand what I’ve just described, or try to make it seem as if they don’t understand, just falls short.
As a board member of GREY2K USA, it is my opinion that the greyhound racing industry’s own reputation is a major contributor to the public’s (and lawmakers’) increasing disdain for dog racing. On a personal level, my experiences (since 1997) seeing firsthand the condition of greyhounds coming to adoption from the tracks keeps me engaged more than any pro- or anti-racing discussion ever could.
GREY2K USA works to get to the root of the problem - - to end the inhumane existence racing greyhounds have no choice but to suffer - - by ending an outdated activity. Greyhound racing's popularity is over; today's general public does not support it.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
May 16, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
I find it very strange for a person who was the 'founder of a greyhound adoption group', whilst breeding greyhounds, tries to undermine the incredible work of GREY2KUSA - with silly comments such as Grey2K leaving 'dogs without a place to go' - but then she has also pointed the finger at Shelters in the USA importing dogs, in need of homes, from '3rd world countries'. Anyway enough of how a breeder and pro-racer perpetuates the plight of greyhounds and her attempts to safe-guard her own interests. Without the valuable work from GREY2KUSA I fear many more greyhounds would suffer and would have suffered. The Lobbying/advocacy/and awareness work they achieve is immense. I have adopted greyhounds for 16 years after learning of their plight, and i know of people who have adopted greyhounds after learning of their plight from the awareness raised by GREY2K. The lobbying work of GREY2K has achieved much success in furthering the awareness of greyhound suffering and exploitation through many media outlets not just in the USA but throughout the world. Their lobbying to help bring about the first notion of adoption for the greyhounds in Macau, where death is and has been the ONLY retirement, as part of their campaign to bring an end to racing at the horrific Canidrome track(Macau) - is and has been a measure of capabilities that the conscience of any animal lover/rescuer/campaigner should recognise. GREY2KUSA do not directly re-home greyhounds - but they work hard to help bring about a time when greyhounds will no longer have to suffer for an industry sustained by their plight. A commendable service to greyhounds.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
May 16, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
Tertullian said “The first reaction to truth is hatred” and you can certainly see that in the virulence of the reaction to Grey 2K from members of the greyhound racing industry. Grey 2K was substantially responsible for ending greyhound racing in Massachusetts; they have been involved in campaigns to end the cruelty of greyhound racing from Arizona to Florida, and have been successful. They constantly shine the light of public awareness on an industry that treats living, sentient creatures as commodities to be used and discarded. It's no wonder they've made enemies, but the enemies they've made are fighting to maintain a brutish industry built on brutality and one that, thanks to the efforts of Gery 2K is slowly moving to the ash heap of history.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
12 people found this review helpful
May 15, 2012
12 people found this review helpful
This group has a hidden agenda. they don't care about the greyhounds. They care about getting rid of gambling. They use old data to try and support their claims. They hide assets all the while lining their pockets. The more your learn about them, the more you find out that they don't care about the dogs or the people they displace. Not to be trusted. Since I am not able to leave a comment--to the comment left from my review--the commenter is very wrong. I WAS a volunteer for Grey2k and stopped volunteering when I learned more about them. For this person to state that I was never a vounteer and that I am a track supporter is just plain lying and bulldozing by Grey2k. How DARE YOU BELITTLE the contributions of time, effort and money that I did make to this group prior to me finding more out about them and how they misrepresent and how they DON'T really stick up for the dogs. All they want to do is close race tracks down. They don't care about the dogs (or people for that matter) that they displace. Shame on Grey2k!
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A little
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
May 15, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
The role of greyhound advocacy should not be underestimated by caring animal lovers, and should also not be undermined by the selfish individuals who gain from this deplorable industry. Grey2K does a fantastic job of advocacy, and internally does a lot of work facilitating rehoming by connecting adoption agencies with greyhounds that have been dumped including the demanding transportation issues that come with such a large country. I know for a fact that many board members personally contribute financially to a vast range of rescue missions undertaken, because they are that kind of people. BUT, please realise, Grey2K are not an adoption agency. Adoption is the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. Grey2K seeks to stop the dogs getting pushed over in the first place. Many racing supporters are either too thick to understand this, or deliberately make a big noise about adoption alone, seeking to mislead the public about the great work this organisation does. The way they operate should serve as a template for other animal welfare organisations. They are in fact the pathfinders. Don't doubt this organisation, look up to it.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
9 people found this review helpful
May 15, 2012
9 people found this review helpful
That last review was written by Carey Thiel, the head of Grey2K. I have been involved with GHs for over 15 years and NEVER have had a GOOD interaction with Grey2K. They are lobbyists.. They raise money for themselves.. Their tax returns speak the truth.. Hundreds of thousands of dollars raised.. and NONE spent on the hounds they profess to protect. They have made adoption groups work hundreds of times harder, trying to place "displaced " hounds.. And they are supported by another money making organization HSUS (Humane Society of the US) NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH YOUR LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY.. Neither of these organizations are worth the public dollar.. but the public is duped into making contributions by the lies they tell and the distortions they make. I bred and raced GHs for several years. I no longer do that. I DO,however, adopt and foster hounds to this day. I also, when possible, take part in transporting hounds going to their forever homes.. I do fundraisers for my local adoption groups (I am a professional photographer).. and I don't take money that belongs to the hounds and PUT IT IN MY BANK ACCOUNT!
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
11 people found this review helpful
April 18, 2012
11 people found this review helpful
Grey2k started out with an idea: to end greyhound racing. It is possible that they started out with the best of intentions, but, their two directors have turned it into a cash cow for themselves: a way to make hundreds of thousands of dollars off the very dogs they say they are trying to protect. Their media savvy is impressive, and their ability to turn a phrase, and to twist any news story to their own advantage is quite extraordinary. Their support of greyhound adoption groups has been dismal. During their successful efforts to close the tracks in Massachusetts for instance, they promised to help adoption groups place dogs when the tracks closed. They said that they had lists of hundreds of adopters and organizations prepared to help. What happened when the tracks did close? Grey2k was nowhere to be found. Recently I read a blog post from Carey Thiel, one of the directors. He was bragging that his organizations has since 2009 made financial contributions to 50 adoption organizations. Nowhere in his blog did he say how much: for all we know it could be $1 each. Neither did he explain why there were no contributions in the eight previous years of Grey2k's existence, though with $300,000 to $500,000 per year in donations, you'd think that they could find a few dollars to actually "protect greyhounds". We find Grey2k tactics and honesty questionable at the very least.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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Several negative reviews have been posted on this site in recent days. These reviews are part of a campaign to artificially skew our review rating. In fact, greyhound breeders are openly asking people to submit negative reviews to skew our rating. If the individual posting this review is not a dog racing supporter, then it is an incredible coincidence that the review was submitted at the same time this cynical campaign is taking place. In any event, this reviewer is not a volunteer for GREY2K USA and in that regard this "review" is deceptive.