Has anyone heard about this track closing. I got an e-mail from my groomer that said they needed foster homes fast!
Claire

This track is not closing, it is closed. About a week or so ago after the last race was run that evening the track announced it would close that very evening. The adoption group in that area is busy coordinating the adoptions. They are gathering names of the dogs that will go to groups and which will be going to other tracks. There is a thread on GreyTalk about what is going on. Once those in charge have all the numbers they will start shipping out dogs. They are figuring somewhere between 300 and 400 hounds. They have been in touch with many groups already and I'm sure GFNC is one of them. The situation is well in hand and all dogs will be cared for.

1 of our contacts posted on our forum that the best racers will go to Orlando & a few other tracks. The rest of the Melbourne dogs will be cared for & petted out. The other tracks that get the Melbourne dogs will in turn have to move dogs to make room... I big ripple effect. We're also in a holding pattern to see what dogs will be in the most need.
I know GFNC just got 6 doggies that 2 of the girls in our group brought to the kennel. This was planned to help some of what will be coming from this too

One other way we can help is by taking in a foster. If you have room for a foster give it some thought. If we take ones from the kennel that are vetted that will free up room for more dogs to be placed here. So if you have a spare bed and some extra love give a Rooooooo.

My sources say that the plan is for this to be a seasonal closing.

Yes they will be open again Dec 26th. GPA Central FL is working to move all the dogs out. You can see info on their website.

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I believe it just happened a little ahead of schedule & took everyone a little off gaurd
For anyone out there who has not fostered JUST DO IT!! I have 2 rt now, have had close to 70 in the past 5 yrs & only kept 2
1 of which turns 8 today!!!!!!!!!!!

20 of the dogs I just read on greytalk are heading to my home state of CT this weekend - please keep them in your thought for safe travels tis weekend.

That stinks that it is a seasonal closing - wish it was being closed for good!!!

Okay, I've been volunteering at the kennel for 7 years now, but don't know the answer to this. What does a seasonal closing mean-this is going to happen every year when they close down for the season?

The tracks in Colorado all had "on" and "off" seasons and most dogs were moved from one to another track or retired, whatever was most appropriate. Our greyhound group received greys steadily throughout the year, but were usually "flooded" when the nearest track closed for a season. I don't have any idea if that will be the case with Melbourne though.

Some tracks only have live races for a few months of the year. The adoption groups working with those tracks know when and how many dogs they will have to move and have time to prepare.

This incident at the Melbourne track was unusual in the way that the track management didn't give kennel owners time to prepare to move dogs to other locations, everyone was caught off guard. Some kennels even moved dogs to Melbourne a few days before. After the last race on that Saturday night they told everyone to pack up and go!

The track will resume racing in December. They used to race year round for the last few years but are now going back to seasonal due to a change in law.
This Florida law required a certain amount of live races to allow their poker room. On June 30th they lowered that number. Since tracks make most of their money off poker, slots and simulcasting, not greyhound racing, they were quick to send the greyhounds home!

Thanks for the information. I was hoping this wouldn't happen every season.

Several Melbourne dogs will make their trip up north overnight and arrive in NC Saturday morning.
Please keep them and their drivers in your prayers for a safe trip.
I always get nervous when I know that we have fosters on the truck and wish I could call the driver every hour to check on them!
I know, that's just me..

IMPORTANT:
Dennis just called to let me know that the truck broke down (thank goodness before they left!) and will NOT be coming up to GFNC this Saturday morning! MAYBE Sunday morning, he will call and let me know if the truck is fixed!