POULSBO — Central Market is set to host a few friends of the four-legged variety on Oct. 11 during an event that could expand some local families. Greyhound Pets Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to find homes for retired greyhound racers, is hosting a meet-and-greet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday.
The main purpose, its volunteers say, is to introduce people to a breed lesser known, but one that makes a lovable pet all the same.
“What we do is we get in about 20 dogs every two to three months and we place them. They come from all over the country from racetracks,” said Greyhound Pets Inc. volunteer Margi Hall of Kingston. “People can come by and see what greyhounds are like and find out why they make such wonderful pets.”
Hall is a greyhound owner herself, and has been for seven years. At 73 years old, she said it’s their mild temperament and sweet demeanor that makes them fitting companions.
“They are gentle, loving, sociable and polite dogs that get along well with children and other pets,” she said, adding they’re often called “45 mph couch potatoes” for their speedy abilities and contradictory affinity for lounging.
Greyhound Pets Inc. was founded in 1985 and has since placed more than 4,800 greyhounds throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Canada. Regional Vice President Marchet Anschell owns three of the canines. She said she visits the Greyhound Pets Inc. kennels almost daily, and encourages people to stop by Central Market to see and pet the dogs.
“Retired racers are different even than other greyhounds because of the structure they’ve had in their lives before becoming pets,” she said. “They seem to really, really appreciate being in a home.”
The dogs come to the organization at all different ages; some are retired after years on the track, others are put to pasture at an early age if they’re not as bent toward racing. They are started on the tracks at as early as 18 months.
“Some would rather smell the roses, so to speak, or run the wrong direction,” Anschell said.
She added the animals are known to be clean and calm. Those thinking of adopting can visit the organization’s Web site: www.greyhoundpetsinc.org.
Hall said the dogs are held either at the organization’s Woodinville kennels or are placed in foster homes until they’re adopted. Greyhound Pets Inc. works hard to create the perfect family matches for the pets, and conducts home visits before an animal is placed.
“They’re not as well known as your neighborhood lab or golden retriever,” Anschell said. “They are wonderful dogs and we want the world to know that.”
