GREYHOUNDS OF FAIRHAVEN

Our goals are threefold:

1) Increase public awareness about the breed and educate people about the breed's unique needs and characteristics;

2) Provide referrals to local greyhound adoption groups in the various communities where we have events;

3) Raise funds to assist the adoption groups with veterinary and housing expenses for greyhounds in their care.

We appear with 8 to 15 greyhounds at Renaissance Festivals and Arts Fairs throughout the southwestern United States. At each event, we introduce the hounds to the public, answer questions about the breed, provide printed information about greyhounds, and provide referrals to greyhound adoption organizations serving the local area.

We have a permanent booth at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, which runs for eight consecutive weekends, President's Day, and two student-oriented weekdays. We also have a 16-foot cargo trailer to haul our gear to weekend events throughout the southwest.

Our gear includes: a large pavilion tent with removable sides, a smaller tent for gear storage, fencing to set up a secure turn-out area for the hounds, portable wooden furniture, and cooking gear to feed our volunteers at events. While the events are open, two of the pavilion tent's sides are removed so the public can enjoy meeting hounds in the shade. At night, we close down the sides to create secure sleeping quarters for our hounds and volunteers.

We have increased the number of greyhound adoptions in each of the communities where we have appeared. We have provided tens of thousands of dollars to greyhound adoption groups to help with their expenses. While we have accomplished our goals in past years, there is an ongoing need for donations and adoptions every year. As long as there are greyhounds needing homes, we will be there to provide public relations and funds to help with the process.