Nonprofit Spotlight: Greyhound REscue & Adoptions of Tampa Bay

GREAT, Inc. is a nonprofit greyhound rescue and adoption agency. In this week's nonprofit spotlight, Patch talked to Kelly Faircloth of GREAT to find out what the organization does and how the community can get involved.

Patch: What is the mission or purpose of GREAT?

Faircloth: GREAT's main objectives are to educate people as to what wonderful pets greyhounds can be, to place greyhounds in adoptive homes, and achieve greater public awareness about the over-breeding of racing greyhounds and the euthanasia that can result due to this practice.  We receive our dogs from a variety of sources including greyhound breeding farms, racetracks, shelters that have taken in dogs directly from the tracks or farms, and people returning greyhounds that they can no longer keep. 

We are totally volunteer-run with no paid staff, and our dogs are not housed in kennels. Instead, each dog is placed into a foster home where we can evaluate temperament and teach the skills they will need to succeed in a pet home.

Patch: Who founded it and in what year?

Faircloth: GREAT was founded in 1993 by Adam and Kimberly Wyler.  While they have moved on to other endeavors, GREAT continues to provide a much-needed resource for greyhounds that might otherwise have no place to go once the racing industry no longer has any use for them.

Patch: What are some activities that the organization has been involved in in Tampa Bay? Are those primary fundraisers for the nonprofit?

Faircloth: GREAT takes part in hundreds of activities throughout the year.  We conduct between two to five meet and greets on the first, second, third and fourth Saturdays of every month in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties. We take part in special events as well, such as art festivals, community events, church events, the Florida State Fair and various other types of appearances. 

One of our primary and biggest fundraisers during the year takes place in November and December at Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood, where we do gift-wrapping for both patrons of the store and anyone else who wants to bring their gifts to us for wrapping. We do not charge for this service, but donations are welcomed.  The gift wrapping season begins on the day after Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas Eve, and our schedule will be posted on our website at www.great-greyhound.org. 

Patch: Why is the organization important for communities such as Carrollwood and Northdale?

Faircloth: GREAT is important for these communities because pet overpopulation and resulting euthanasia is and should be a concern for all citizens. While greyhounds are bred for different purposes than most other pets, they are still bred in numbers that are too great, and used for purposes that are not humane, then discarded.  This practice must end, and our ultimate goal and the goal of every other pet welfare organization is to see all pets find homes and insure that no pets lose their lives because they have no place to go. 

In addition, GREAT members live and work in these communities, and provide countless volunteer hours to benefit these communities. 

Patch: How can the community get involved if they want to donate or volunteer?

Faircloth: Those interested in donating or volunteering can contact us through email on our website at www.great-greyhound.org, or they can call (813) 971-4732.  They do not have to have a greyhound to volunteer.  Our most urgent volunteer need is foster homes, but there are a variety of things that anyone can do in order to aid our mission.  We look forward to answering any questions, and hope to welcome some new volunteers into the fold.