By:Carrie James
Each year, 30,000 greyhounds are killed throughout the United States because they have nowhere to go once they can't race any longer.
An East Meadow-based organization, however, has been doing its part for the last six years to save greyhounds one dog at a time.
The non-profit Long Island Greyhound Transfer works with a New Hampshire racetrack to rescue an average of 100 dogs a year.
"The dogs are categorized as live stock instead of family pets," said Marianne DeGaetano, the group's vice president who also has two Greyhounds - Nash, 7, and Sophia, 6. "These are work animals. They are bred to do a job. By getting a greyhound, you are getting to save a life. When you know these dogs were raced and crated and not treated well, you will go out of your way to treat them with love and care."
The dogs make great house pets, said Carolyn Mahon of Merrick, who got her greyhound, Tigger, through the Long Island Greyhound Transfer a year ago.
"She is wonderful. She is one of the most gentle dogs I've ever known," she said. "She pretty much ignores the other animals, except the other dog. She is also the best-trained dog. She never pulls on her leash."
Transfer President Julie Ferrara and her house partner Carol Vatter had heard about the greyhounds' plight more than six years ago. So, when they got their house, they also got a greyhound, DeGaetano said.
"Owning one is a noble thing, but once you see their face, you know you have to do more," DeGaetano said. "There are so many that need homes."
After they got their dog, Ferrara, Vatter and a handful of other dedicated souls formed the Transfer group.
In the beginning, it was primarily a cottage organization, DeGaetano said, meaning that operations were run out of Ferrara and Vatter's home, including bathing and adoption of dogs.
Over the years, the group has received help from a variety of places, including Bubbles and Barks in Hicksville, which opened its doors to groom dogs before they go to their new homes.
Plainview's Heritage Homes owner Joel Graff also gave the organization space to do adoptions. Still, the organization keeps its base in East Meadow to handle the business end, DeGaetano said.
Anyone wanting a greyhound through the organization has to fill out a lengthy application, she added. Mainly, the application is to help match a dog and family.
"We want to make sure we are getting the right dog for them," she said. "We do scrutinize the applications and the amount of time the dogs will be left alone. We recommend that if they will be left alone for more than nine or 10 hours, then they should have someone come and let them out and feed them."
Many Long Islanders, such as Joan Nicol of East Meadow, rescue greyhounds after losing a dog.
"My dog had passed away, and I can't live without a dog," she said. "I love getting dogs that need a home, and I saw the greyhounds on the television. I love [Jake]. He's the greatest, and I want to get another one in a couple months."
Applicants must pay $200 to cover the costs of spaying or neutering the dog, as well as teeth cleaning, shots and other medical attention, DeGaetano said.
Adoption applicants can specify what sex they prefer, but otherwise don't know which of the 16 to 17 different greyhound varieties they will receive.
"Once you put in the application, it's like a pregnancy," she said. "You don't know what you're going to get. There's a waiting period, and when you get that call, it's just like having a baby come into your lives."
At the start, Long Island Greyhound Transfer made a trip every three to four weeks to bring back dogs that were matched with families. With greyhound rescue programs receiving so much media attention, DeGaetano said they now have to go every other week to bring back dogs.
"We are extremely passionate about these dogs and want to help," she said.
How to adopt a greyhound
Getting a greyhound through the Long Island Greyhound Transfer is relatively easy. Interested parties can call the group at (516)735-6073, or visit their Web site at www. ligreyhound.org.
