Greyhounds that cannot be adopted locally are shipped to other qualified adoption agencies in non-racing states and Canada. GPACF has been fortunate to network with many outstanding adoption groups throughout the country. We acquired our first trailer in 1999 and used it continuously traveling the eastern half of the US transporting greyhounds from the Melbourne Greyhound Park and Daytona Beach Kennel Club. We literally wore the trailer out transporting 400-500 greyhounds a year.

In 2002, through the support of the greyhound community, we were able to purchase a new 22-stall trailer. This vehicle enables us to safely transport and give greyhounds a chance of a happy retirement.

In 2000, we were able acquire a smaller trailer through a Matching Fund Grant from PETsMART Charities. This vehicle can be seen on the roads around the Space Coast and delivering greys to North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia. It already has been instrumental in transporting many greys to northern states.

The American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) announced that it has selected Dennis Tyler of Central Florida Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) as its 2008 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year. The award recognizes individuals who are dedicated to placing former racing greyhounds into qualified homes as pets.

“All nominees deserve to be recognized for their commitment to finding homes for greyhounds once they retire from racing,” said Karen Keelan, president of the AGTOA. “It was difficult to select only one winner from so many dedicated individuals.”

After a great deal of deliberation, Dennis Tyler was selected for his 24-hour-a-day commitment to finding good homes for retired greyhounds including those with special needs; for caring for the health and welfare of the dogs until they can be transported to adoption organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada; for raising funds to support his adoption activities; and for serving as a mentor to new adoption organizations.

Since 1996, Dennis and his wife, Claire, have worked as a full-time team to placed 6,077 greyhounds retiring from Melbourne Greyhound Park into adoptive homes. They host fundraisers to pay for the medical expenses for hard-to-place greyhounds so they can be offered to adoption groups at no charge.

According to Nanette McClary of Greyhound Adoption of Greater Rochester, N.Y., “Dennis does an excellent job of profiling greyhounds, organizing spaying/neutering and transporting them to groups for adoption. When he and Claire end their 24-hour dog hauler trips to Buffalo, we can see the satisfaction in their tired faces.”

Alane Shultz of Springfield, Mo. said that Dennis “cultivates new adoption groups by mentoring them and sharing a wealth of knowledge and years of experience with newbies.”

Dennis, accompanied by Claire, will be recognized on March 23, 2009 at the AGTOA annual meeting in Las Vegas. The AGTOA will donate $500 to the Central Florida GPA and pay for the couple’s travel expenses to accept the award.

“I am very honored to be singled out as Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year,” said Tyler. There are many other extremely dedicated individuals who are equally as committed to finding homes for retired greyhounds. GPA Central Florida’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of my wife Claire, our wonderful volunteers and more than 40 adoption groups that have helped us over the years.

Nominations for the 2009 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year will be accepted between April 1 and August 28, 2009. Anyone involved in greyhound adoption can be nominated for the award. The recipient will be selected based on the individual’s dedication and contribution to greyhound adoption during the year. For more information about the award, visit www.agtoa.com or call Dennis Bicsak at (561) 615-3916. For more information about adopting a greyhound, call 1-800-366-1GPA (1472).

The AGTOA, formed in 1946, is a nonprofit corporation comprised of greyhound race track owners and operators throughout the U.S.

Dennis Tyler (right) and his wife Claire hold their two adopted greyhounds, Goyo and Blue Eyes .