Greyhound Friends Inc.
167 Saddle Hill Road
Hopkinton, MA 01748
greyhndfds@aol.com
508-435-5969
Improving the lives of greyhounds, lurchers & mixed hounds one dog at a time
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To the Greyhound Friends Community
Greyhound Friends Inc. is facing an unexpected challenge at our Hopkinton, MA Shelter. We are being required by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) to replace 15 year old kennels which house our available dogs individually. We have accomplished this task and are waiting for a green light to start adopting out new dogs soon.
This has a big undertaking but we're getting through it. Our goal move forward as an exemplarary shelter meeting top standards for our dog adoption work
The costs for these renovations has been substantial and we need the support of our community to meet the immediate costs.
Would you please consider a donation at this time to help us as we move forward in the task of placing dogs in need.
Greyhound Friends Inc. has been dedicated to improving the lives of greyhounds, largely dogs retired from racing, and other hounds in need for over 34 years. Our mission is to place these dogs in homes but also to focus attention on the issues these fine dogs face around the world. View our PSA:
Film by John Mottern
"Land of the Magpie and the Crow"
Greyhounds in Ireland
Film by John Mottern
"Crime to be Born"
Greyhounds in Argentina
Greyhound Friends has been open for 34 years this Mother's Day. Take a look below at who we are and what we do:
We have recently renovated our kennel facility to meet high standards.
Take a look at the "5 FOR GOOD"
on-air profile of Greyhound Friends Inc. produced by WCVBTV.
RENOVATIONS
We are very active in responding to and addressing breaking news issues around the world. We have covered stories in Spain, Ireland, Argentina, Guam, Morocco, England and Belgium
All Photos by John Mottern
Dedication to Greyhound Issues
World-Wide
Greyhound Friends Inc. has received many commendations, awards and acknoledgements throughout the years. We have been a favorite subject for many featured news articles and television programs.
MetroWest Daily News 2008 Person of Distinction
- 2008 Commendation from the Ma House of Representatives for 25 years of service
- 2013 Commendation from the Ma State Senate for 30 years of service in greyhound adoption.
- 2003 Commendation from the Greyhound Project for 20 years of service in adoptions.
Peace Abby: Courage of Conscience Award
for Louise Coleman as Founder and Director of Greyhound Friends Inc.
link
Articles and Broadcast features:
The Boston Globe, Dog Fancy, National Public Radio, The World/PRI, RTE Ireland, Associated Press, Chronicle, The Boston Herald, Channel 5, Channel 4 Pet Parade, Channel 2, MetroWest Daily News, The Boston Globe Magazine, Worcester Telegram, The Irish Times, Fox News, YouTube PSA , ABC News
Articles, TV Features, Awards and Commendations
Voted Best Shelter by MetroWest Daily News in 2000
Argentina
Spain
Guam Track Closing
Ireland dogs shot and dumped
Documentaries produced for Greyhound Friends Inc.
It's Happened Again
Thoughts from the Killing Fields of Ireland
by John Mottern / 2015
The stench of rotting flesh, death, is very strong in the air so I know we're getting close. It's a thick, familiar smell to me that would turn even the toughest of stomachs. Climbing down a small embankment of an old sand quarry in South West Ireland I find what I've seen before and already knew was there. I clearly hear the crumpling, chewing sound, again familiar and disturbing, as ten's of thousands of fat maggots destroy the evidence in an otherwise quiet landscape. It's a surreal and nightmarish sound.
I count six maybe seven greyhound carcases in different stages of decomposition lying exposed to the world, to the beautiful Irish countryside. The most recent brindle dog not more then a few days dead. I do my job, take picture to share with newspapers and magazines around the world. It's not strange to me that even in death the decomposing bodies of these greyhounds are oddly graceful, almost poetic as they were in life. In my journalist's mind I just keep asking "...really, again?...why? ...and who?"
It's the same old story. Someone needed to get rid of their extra and useless greyhound. Perhaps a dog no longer an asset as breeding stock, a failures on the track or past their prime of two or three years old. The dog was only another mouth to feed in tough economic times. Maybe on disposal day each dog got a clean shot to the head or maybe not so lucky and not so clean a shot. Then kicked, like garbage, over the edge onto the pile below to join other dogs from other days of killing. Not even enough time to dig a ditch and far enough off the beaten path to hide the guilt or some inkling of shame. These dogs rot below and remind those that pass by of the broader community's disinterest in this issue.
My first thought on arriving at the scene is are their ears still there? Have they been cut off? I've seen this done many times before to hide the tattooed registration numbers found inside most greyhounds' ears. These registration numbers identify the breeder, the dog's birth date, litter information and in this case a possible path to the guilty party which might be traceable. I know when these breeders are confronted the answer is usually the same. "I had nothing to do with that, it was someone else." Maybe in this case people will be held accountable...maybe other breeders, owners or the governing body will finally stand against their own ranks. Perhaps the community at large will become fed up with this image of Ireland.
These dogs served the business interests of their Masters. Profits and bragging rights of a winning dog may or may not have occurred from these dogs yet either way the thanks they get is a bullet and maggots. There is also the additional issue of a serious environmental impact of rotting dogs left exposed to the open air, right next to pools of water. Where has common sense gone? Decency? Is the rest of the civilized world just crazy for saying unacceptable? This is not just an "animal rights" issue this is a basic "right and wrong" issue which should be addressed and dealt with in Ireland.
I was brought to this horrific scene by Irish people who care enough to say "no" in a country where turning a blind eye is a common reaction by many. Likewise action to respond happens only with much prodding, threats of guilt by procrastination/association or fear of public opinion and the opinions of one's neighbors. "Bad for business...you understand" was the response of one local veterinarian who was afraid to get involved.
Marion Fitzgibbon, Director of the Limerick Animal Welfare Shelter and long time voice for neglected and abused animals in Ireland was tipped off to this scene by young people who discovered the carnage while walking their dog. Her attempts to get authorities and vet professionals to the location were met with a full range of excuses, buck passing, and just plain fear of what the locals might say if someone got involved. Finally, with some media attention, action was ignited and now the question is what will be done. Historically nothing will happen to those responsible but we will see.
As a journalist who covers these types of stories all around the world I have seen change happen only when the citizens in the communities effected stand up with courage to say "no this is not right and we will not have it any more." If Spain can stop bull fighting then Ireland can take better care of her animals. They can take responsibility for an industry of dog racing largely funded by the tax payers and hold those accountable who act indecently and without care. Maintaining profits does not excuse unethical behavior.
RTE National News Report generated from our visit to the scene
MetroWest Daily News Story:
When the Guam Greyhound Track was closed last month, about 100 of the dogs were given away on the Pacific island.
By Dan McDonald/Daily News staff
When the Guam Greyhound Track was closed last month, about 100 of the dogs were given away on the Pacific island.
Soon thereafter, reports traveled through the international greyhound rights network about mistreatment of the released dogs.
Rumors swirled. Some were trying to breed the dogs, others were trying to use them as watchdogs. Whispers of an underground dogfighting ring on the island surfaced.
Half a world away, Hopkinton resident Louise Coleman, of the American Greyhound Alliance, was upset. Giving the dogs away to just anyone perturbed her.
Enter John Mottern.
The 47-year-old photojournalist from Sherborn has traveled around the world advocating for greyhound rights and care. He’s been to Ireland, Spain and north Africa.
Columnist Dave Davis, for instance, focused his weekly piece on the greyhound situation for three straight weeks.
This time, he was dispatched to Guam on the alliance’s dime.
Last Monday, he touched down on the tropical tract of land and began waging a public relations battle with the track owners, who were not responding to the local greyhound activists’ pleas.
“What I found was a bunch of dogs loose, running around Guam,” said Mottern. “They didn’t have any water or food. They were skin and bone. My job was to get as much media attention as possible.”
Award winning photographer John Mottern
Channel 5 did this piece about GHF
Greyhound Friends has an outreach program to education school children and others in the community about our dogs. Give us a call if you would like us to visit your school or organization at (508) 435-5969.
Greyhound Friends hosts a 5K at the shelter in Hopkinton
Many Community Groups come to Greyhound Friends to support our efforts. The Nuns came and had a great time playing with the dogs and visiting with them in the main kennel. They have been very supportive of our efforts to find loving homes for these deserving dogs.
The Nuns Come for a Visit
Here is gorgeous Canada, beautifully captured in Judy Barrette's photographs, Canada is also looking for an immediate foster home. He is not yet two years old, is quite strong, and needs lessons on leash walking. He would not be good with small animals and needs a fenced yard. He has a lot of energy! Canada is a loving, friendly greyhound but needs some attention.
If you are interested in fostering Canada, please call the kennel -- 508-435-5969. Leave a message if no answer.
Buddy, a 3-year-old dog from Indiana, is seeking an immediate foster home. He responds well to affection, direction, and lots of exercise. Crate-trained, house-trained, and good on a leash, Buddy is a great match for a runner or hiker. For his safety, we recommend using an underground fence during his foster care.
If you are interested in fostering Buddy, please call the kennel at 508-435-5969. Leave a message if no answer.
We are looking for immediate foster homes for three dogs.
Here is Snickers. Snickers is a 5 year old Treeing Walker Hound. He gets alone well with other dogs and walks well with a harness. Your basic good old hound dog. Please consider fostering Snickers. If you are interested, please call the kennel -- 508-435-5969.
Canada
Snickers
Buddy
Judy Barrette photography
Judy Barrette photography
Judy Barrette photography
