AAGI Statement on the Announcement of the Phoenix Greyhound Park Closing

Dear AAGI Volunteers and Friends –

It was with great sadness that we received notice today that Phoenix Greyhound Park (PGP) will be closing live racing on December 31, 2009. And I wanted to pass along the facts before the internet gets completely clogged with rumors.

What does this mean for AAGI??

For the next three months we will continue as we have. We will be working with the racing kennels to move as many dogs as possible through our program as quickly as we can. PGP is committed to helping us place all of the dogs – but it is a process not an overnight event.

After the end of the year AAGI will continue placing dogs until they are done – I don’t know if that will be 3 months or 6 months – but again PGP is committed to helping us.

I obviously don’t have the logistics worked out yet so I can’t answer specific questions about how many or how we will do it.

What can we do to help??

For now continue with the wonderful support you have always given. Those of you involved in PR duties are more important than ever as we get the word out about what great pets these elegant dogs make. Please continue with your PetsMarts, PetCos, PGP, and other events that are scheduled.

Anyone that can foster please let me know – as things get tighter we may need more foster homes to put dogs in.

We will be letting you know how to continue with PR events past the end of the year but I am guessing we will continue for some months at least.

What about after all the PGP dogs are placed??

I don’t know – I would like to think we will continue placing dogs on some smaller scale. As we answer this question we will keep you posted. At the very least we will be available to take in any returning dogs.

What about the picnic – and Golf Tournament?

Yes and yes – both of those events will continue and the fundraising is more important than ever to help us care for the extra dogs.

Is there any hope this will change?

YES – the facility will remain on the hope that the state legislators will realize come spring (March/April when they go back to session) that no money fairy has dropped gold into the state coffers and that more cuts to state services like education, police, fire are going to be necessary. Having slot machines at the race track that would generate cash flow (45% of the take) could be a viable option and one that is better than a tax increase. If they allow slots, live racing will return.

PGP has long been a model of how race tracks should interact with adoption and in this very difficult time they are doing their best for all concerned. By announcing the closing now they give the kennel people, track employees and us 3 months lead time to work through the issues. I am grateful that they didn’t just close the doors as other race tracks have done.

We will keep you informed as we know more –

Always in service to the hounds,

Kari