Information about Greyhounds

Click to download a PDF version of "The Greyhound Guide", useful information for the current or prospective Greyhound owner

Greyhound Information (Phoenix Area)

John & Cindy Hutzelman
480 830-2961
jehutzelman@cox.net
John & Cindy have offered to answer any general questions for Greyhound owners or prospective owners in the Phoenix area.

About GPA-AZ

Mission Statement
Our primary objective is to adopt Greyhound dogs into loving homes to give them a long and happy life. Secondly, we want to educate the public about Greyhounds, making them aware that Greyhounds make some of the best pets available. Finally, we are seeking like-minded individuals who can foster these dogs or volunteer their time or funds to help educate the public and aid our rescue mission.

Our Beginnings
Although GPA-Arizona was not one of the founding chapters, Arizona volunteers have been with our organization since the inception of GPA in April, 1987. As a matter of fact, Cyndi Greene from Peoria, AZ was voted in as the national GPA Executive Secretary at the October 1987 national meeting held in Abilene, Kansas. Cyndi, at that time, was a volunteer and member of GPA-California which was then located in San Dimas, California. Arizona volunteers acquired their federal tax identification number and became GPA's twelfth chapter in early 1988.

By October 1991, the Arizona chapter still existed but very few Greyhounds were being placed by GPA-AZ since another very successful adoption group had been formed in the Phoenix area. At this time Joan Headland and Carol Osborne (then GPA-CA members) moved to Central Arizona and got things going again for the Arizona chapter. By early 1992, GPA-AZ was incorporated with the State of Arizona and although small, continued with the objectives of GPA.

In 1994, another GPA-CA volunteer moved to Arizona and started GPA-Phoenix, a sub-chapter of GPA-CA. After a year as a GPA sub-chapter, GPA-Phoenix incorporated on its own and became Greyhound Rescue Education, Adoption Team (GREAT) The Founder of GPA-Phoenix and GREAT was Rory S. Goreé.

In February 2000, GREAT closed down and took over day-to-day operations of GPA-AZ, and moved its headquarters to Phoenix. Since that time, GPA-AZ has grown and successfully placed Greyhounds in Phoenix as well as Northern Arizona. As in the beginning, GPA-AZ continues to this day to play a major role in Greyhound Pets of America. Our current Chairperson of the board sits on the national board as the Vice President. We will always continue to work for the Greyhounds, not only on the local level, but also on the national level.

Our Parent Group
Greyhound Pets of America is a tax-exempt, non- profit corporation founded in 1987 for the purpose of rescuing ex-racing Greyhounds.

As of 1999, Greyhound Pets of America has 30 chapters and 8 sub-chapters around the nation. In 1995, it placed the most dogs of any single organization, about 4,000. The rest of the Greyhound adoption organizations combined placed another 11,000.

Contact Information
Click here for our contact information.

We Are Non-Profit
Greyhound Pets of America - Arizona is an all volunteer, tax-exempt, 501(c)3, non-profit organization. All donations go directly to the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of ex-racing Greyhounds.

Why Choose GPA-AZ for Your Greyhound Adoption?
Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) is a nationwide non-profit, volunteer-supported organization dedicated to the placement of ex-racing Greyhounds in ideal home situations.

GPA Arizona's main office adoption operation primarily services the Maricopa county area.

GPA Arizona's northern office adoption operation primarily services the Prescott area.

We are a Greyhound-placement organization that accepts Greyhounds primarily from the Greyhound racetrack and local shelters. With the help of local veterinarians, our organization provides full examinations, spaying, neutering, dental care and other needed medical procedures prior to adoption.

GPA Arizona adoption operations rely heavily upon Greyhound-savvy families to act as temporary foster homes for ex-racers to make the transition to home life while awaiting adoption. It is through this program we are able to allow each adopted Greyhound to join its new family in the best possible condition.

GPA Arizona's volunteers work closely with each prospective Greyhound owner, matching them with a dog whose personality is most ideally suited to its new home situation to ensure a lasting, rewarding relationship.