National Greyhound Association Fredrick Fulchino hosts Greyhound adoption with Linda Jensen
Ever since the inception of Greyhound racing as a sport, there have been concerns about the abuse of retired Greyhounds.
An average Greyhound lives up to thirteen, or, fourteen years of age. However, it loses speed around the age of four. This means that a racing Greyhound spends most of its life in retirement.
There have been reports of Greyhounds being euthanized, or, sometimes abandoned. To deal with this dilemma, Frederick Fulchino, Board member of the NGA, (National Greyhound Association) held an adoption picnic at his farm and private residence in Pomfret
on 18th June 2011.
The picnic was arranged by Linda Jensen, who is Adoption Person of the Year, and, had a great turn out. The itinerary included a burger, hotdog, and, sausage lunch, a tour of the farm and then a fundraising raffle.
The raffle that included items such as, puzzles, toys, autographed Bruins Jerseys, and, pictures from Plainfield Greyhound Park. They were able to raise more than two thousand dollars.
The donations raised are to be used for the welfare of retired Greyhounds such as the ailing, Agapi Mou, whose massive vet bills need to be covered.
The attendants were also encouraged to bring in their own Greyhounds as a grey sitting facility had been put in place at the farm to look after the hounds while their owners relaxed.
The adoption picnic was a tremendous success despite the hot weather. Even people from far off places such as Philadelphia and Quebec attended the event.
Track Operator, Karen Keelan, who was present at the event said:
“The picnic was a phenomenal opportunity to make a difference in greyhound adoption”.
Founder of the ingenious Greyhound adoption program at Twin River, June Bazaar, was also present at the picnic.
The owner of the farm, Fulchino also owns Regall Kennel at Lincoln. He has been closely associated with Greyhound adoption drives, while simultaneously opposing legislation that calls for a complete ban on Greyhound racing.
He is quoted to have said:
"There is no justification, either economic or on animal welfare grounds, for eliminating our business".
He has been working to improve the welfare of Greyhounds by ensuring that NGA’s animal care and farm inspection policies are rigid. According to Fulchino, more than 90 percent of all retired Greyhounds are either adopted, or, kept as pets on farms and not
left to die contrary to popular belief.
In 2010 too, Fulchino held a similar event at his farm, where he gave visitors a tour of his farm and an opportunity to see and interact with his Greyhounds and even rent, or, buy Greyhounds.
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