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GPA Central Florida, 3525 Manassas Ave., Melbourne, Florida, 32934
Contact us at: email cfgpa@cfl.rr.com - phone 321-242-9010
2010 UPDATE!!!!
In the past 14 years, we have managed to handle 13 track seasonal closings that usually left us
with 200-300 greyhounds. Since 1996, we have managed to transition 6503 greyhounds from
racing into adoption. Because of our ability to transport, we have managed to network with over
45 qualified Greyhound Adoption Groups on the eastern half of the United States and Canada.
We feel truly blessed for the support we have received from these groups. They are the real heroes.
They always find room for our greyhounds and make our mission possible.
Each year, GPACF orchestrates 12-15 shipments that transport 12-44 greyhounds to these groups.
In March 2010, we were left with 42 greyhounds from the Melbourne 2010 Seasonal Closing.
To fully utilize our capacity to transport, GPACF is extending a helping hand to other
greyhound tracks/organizations. We presently have brought in greyhounds from
Naples/Fort Myers and Sanford/Orlando.
(This list will continue to grow as the impacts of other seasonal Florida tracks,
kennel closings and combined booking dates become reality.)
In these tough economic times, the need to help Florida greyhounds find homes has not slowed down.
At any given time in the state of Florida, there are over 1000 greyhounds looking for homes.
The Melbourne Greyhound Park is allowing us to continue to use the kennel facilities.
However, starting in August, we will have to absurb the expenses for kennel help.
The cost involved will be between $2,500 - $3,000 a month.
We are in desperate need of sponsors to help cover these additional expenses
and the ongoing operating costs. Presently we are unable to accept
greyhounds with serious broken limbs into our program because of funding.
Please consider being a sponsor or making a donation to help with
one of the following expenses.
Kennel help - $2,500 a month
(Officers of GPA are volunteers and are not paid)
Dog food expense averages - $300 a week
Womers & parasite control - $350 a month (approx.)
Kennel supplies (bleach, cleaners, etc) - $150 a month
Surgical repair of a greyhound that sustained a race injury - $1,000 - $1,700
GPA Central Florida will be increasing our Fundraising efforts.
We will be hosting a Week long Online Auction from September 12-20, 2010
The online auction will be hosted by Alisha Navarro of 2 Hounds Design.
We would like to thank all our friends in the national greyhound community who have
helped us over the years. We look forward to your continued support
Ways to help!!!!
Your support is greatly appreciated. Donations and can be mailed to us at
GPACF, 3525 Manassas Ave, Melbourne, FL. 32934 or through our Paypal Account.
We thank all those who have helped us in the past and your support
enables us to continue our dedication to the greyhounds
GPACF NEWS!!!!
for details
Who We Are 
Greyhound Pets of America, Central Florida (GPACF) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of greyhounds into qualified, caring and loving homes or the shipment to other qualified adoption agencies in non-racing states. Greyhounds make excellent Pets and will amaze you with their kind, loving, calm nature. These "Gentle Giants" will leave paw prints on you heart.
GPACF is located on Florida's Central East Coast often referred to as the Space Coast since we are in the Shadow of the Kennedy Space Center. Our primary objective is the placement of greyhounds retiring from the Melbourne Greyhound Park. Since our greys are in fast company, they are eager to become 45 mph couch potatoes
On The Road
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Since taking over the adoption office at Melbourne Greyhound Park in 1996, we have helped transition over 6500 greyhounds from racing. While we try to adopt as many greys as we can locally, we depend heavily on shipment to get most of our greys into forever homes.
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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 .
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