Texas Greyhound Industry Prepares for Hurricane Rita

Under the threat of Hurricane Rita, the Texas Greyhound industry has been working together to ensure the safety of our Greyhounds, according to the Texas Greyhound Association. The Greyhounds located at Gulf Greyhound Park are safest remaining where they are. Refer to the TGA website, www.texasGreyhoundassociation.com where you will find a link to the Storm and Flood Emergency Plans of the racetracks which TGA published last year.

Gulf Greyhound Park
GGP is located in LaMarque, 15 miles inland from Galveston. The kennel buildings were built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, and are elevated 19-21 feet. Some of the kennels evacuated their Greyhounds to farms further inland in the past few days, which has opened up space for the many farms in the area. Sally Briggs, general manager, estimates they now have several thousand Greyhounds on the compound, including broods and puppies. The backup generator is fully tested and operational; water tanks are filled to capacity and dog food is in good supply.

Several electric company repair trucks are now occupying the parking lot. Many kennel owners and trainers are staying in the compound to care for all of the dogs. GGP is providing them with regular meals, places to sleep, and use of all veterinary supplies. In the event of severe flooding, the Greyhounds can be moved to the upper levels of the grandstand. Sally has been outstanding in organizing and implementing their safety plan.

Corpus Christi
Located on relatively high ground, CCGRT is prepared for hurricane winds and water. The backup generator is operational, all water tanks filled, and dog food is in good supply. If needed in case of flooding, the Greyhounds can be moved into the grandstand.

Valley Race Park
VRP appears to be out of harm's way, and is standing by with 18 empty kennel houses in Harlingen if needed for evacuation.

Texas Greyhound Association
Many TGA members in the Waco area are standing by with trucks and trailers to pick up any Greyhounds at risk. The temperature is extremely high, about 101 degrees. The TGA is coordinating with the racetracks and its membership to house or transport Greyhounds as needed, although we feel the Greyhounds are safest staying at the GGP kennels.

James Parker made the roundtrip to pick up Greyhounds from farms in LaMarque, which took him 17 hours for an ordinary five hour trip. One kennel at GGP had decided to evacuate their kennel, but turned back many hours later when it became apparent that the heat and the traffic delays were creating a dangerous situation for the Greyhounds. Although incoming traffic is now barred, the Department of Public Safety allowed him to return to GGP, where the Greyhounds were treated with IV fluids provided by the track.

Several TGA members inland of Galveston are housing Greyhounds evacuated earlier this week from farms; Lynn Alexander and Russel McElhinny in the Galveston area have been invaluable in helping the TGA coordinate the effort. Lynn was even able to arrange for the evacuation of 26 cats and 32 shelter dogs from Galveston Island when the HSUS was unable to help them.

The TGA is proud of its many members and the racetracks for stepping up to the challenge of Hurricane Rita and protecting our most precious Greyhounds.