ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Greyhound racing has come to an end in Florida, but many of the dogs are moving on to new homes.
The last races at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg were on Sunday. The family owned dog track is saying goodbye after 95 years.
In November 2018, Floridians passed Amendment 13, which banned greyhound racing in the state by the end of 2020.
What You Need To Know
- With greyhound racing over at Derby Lane, some dogs going up for adoption
- Gulf Coast Greyhound Adoption helping the dogs adjust before going to new homes
- PREVIOUS STORY: Derby Lane Hosts Last Races After 95-Year-Run
Gulf Coast Greyhound Adoption has been busy putting the greyhounds on a new path for home.
“We’re up around 350 for the year as far as placement goes,” said Gulf Coast vice president Scott Compton. “And that’s huge. Last year we had 176. The year before that was less than 100.”
Kevin Lane and Kevin Damphouse have been fostering retired racing greyhounds for years.
They say it’s unlike fostering any other kind of dog.
“They’ve never seen a glass door or a sliding glass door when they come to a new house,” Lane said. “They’ve never seen stairs. They have to be taught how to live their retirement life now.”
Now with Florida dog tracks closed, the adoption agency is on a new track too.
“We’ve had meetings with the board members about moving into helping other breeds,” Compton said.