Introduction to GAL - GAL Forum

Members Login

Post Info

TOPIC: Introduction to GAL

Dave

Enlightened One

Status: Offline

Posts: 1319

Date: Thu Jan 25 21:23 2007

Introduction to GAL	Permalink Closed

Background In October 1996 Martin and Denise McGranaghan met a beautiful fawn greyhound at a National Canine Defence League adoption centre. McLeod was 7 years old then and had lived at the NCDL for 4 years. Martin and Denise already lived with 6 cats and were naturally concerned for their safety but were assured that McLeod would behave well. It was love at first sight and McLeod had found his forever home. McLeod was a big dog but spent most of his time sleeping. He was absolutely no trouble and Martin and Denise could not understand why he had waited so long to find happiness with a caring family. Denise and Martin were inspired by McLeod and set upon the task of helping other greyhounds in unfortunate situations. McLeod was the inspiration that led Denise to form the Greyhound Awareness League (GAL) in 1998. GAL was awarded full charitable status in March 2001. Sadly, McLeod passed away shortly after this milestone but he remains a heroic inspiration to both Denise and the entire GAL organisation as we continue on our mission to find new loving homes for greyhounds in need. What We Do The Greyhound Awareness League is a Scottish Charity (SC031037) dedicated to raising public awareness of the plight of the retired greyhound (and don't forget lurchers!). Our aim is to encourage members of the public to meet (and hopefully adopt) greyhounds and to dispel many of the myths surrounding them. GAL is a non-profit making organisation run entirely by volunteers. We rely totally on public donations to help us save the lives of dogs who would otherwise meet a far less fortunate fate. We have no permanent kennelling facilities and rely on paid boarding kennels and foster homes to accommodate dogs who are between permanent homes. We depend upon sympathetic vets to help us treat our dogs. Most of GAL’s volunteers have at least one greyhound or lurcher as a pet of their own at home. Many have several. GAL organise and attend various events throughout the year and all over Scotland. This allows us the opportunity to raise funds by selling merchandise, to distribute leaflets and flyers providing information to those who are interested and we also bring along dogs who are in need of new homes to introduce to members of the public and hopefully find them new homes. GAL volunteers regularly attend Scottish SPCA Animal Welfare Centre (at Bothwell Bridge in Hamilton and Milton). Greyhounds living there in kennels do not advertise themselves as well as puppies or other cute dogs so we ensure they are walked and that members of the public can meet them close up. Introducing homeless dogs to the public is absolutely vital. Many people have never met a greyhound and base their opinions on the stereotypical image of a racing dog on a track with it’s teeth bared behind a wire muzzle. That is only one side of this gentle and loving dog. GAL is a non-profit-making organisation and relies entirely on donations to fund activities. We do not receive any government or industry funding. GAL raises funds in a variety of ways like Dog Shows, the Annual Christmas Fayre, Sponsored Walks, etc. In addition, we are often invited to attend the events of other organisations and individual members organise fundraising events themselves. In addition to kennelling fees, newspaper advertising to attract prospective owners is one of our greatest expenses and is also paid for from the fund. Although GAL do not sell dogs, everyone who adopts a dog is asked to make a minimum donation (currently £75) in order to assist us in rescuing more dogs. Many volunteers who foster dogs for GAL provide everything the dog needs during it’s stay including food. Some even provide veterinary treatment. Many of the posters, fliers, letters, newsletters, invitations, etc. that are produced on behalf of GAL are donated by the volunteers who produce them, including the stamps! A number of sympathetic Veterinary Surgeons provide us with discounted treatment for GAL dogs. In 2001 we received the first of several ongoing grants from Dogs Trust to assist us with neutering dogs prior to re-homing them. __________________

Page 1 of 1 sorted by

Tweet this page

Post to Digg

Post to Del.icio.us

Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse