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About Greyhound Pets of America
Northern Virginia Chapter
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GPA-NoVA
History
GPA-Northern Virginia
began as a small group back in the late 1980s, when two or three people
worked with Lou Batdorf of GPA-Wheeling Downs. During those days,
very few dogs were placed in homes and the organization was really just
a casual agreement between Lou and the folks in Northern Virgina.
In 1990, Kathe and
Paul Fritz adopted their first greyhound. Along with other first
time owners, they began to volunteer to help with local adoptions.
Over time, the number of active volunteers increased and the group began
to take on a more permanent character, while still adopting greyhounds
under the umbrella of GPA-Wheeling Downs. As the 1990s progressed,
more and more adopters became involved with the cause, and we began
placing around 25 greyhounds a year in their forever homes.
In 1999, the group
decided that it was time to become a chapter in our own right.
As part of that goal, a more formalized structure to the group was adopted,
including the creation of a Board of Directors and the appointment of
officers. The adoption process was developed and formalized, and
as the number of adoptions grew, so did the number of volunteers.
Lou Batdorf, our friend at GPA-Wheeling Downs, was instrumental in our
search for chapter status. Lou acted as our official sponsor and
mentor, guiding us through the necessary preparations and procedures
along the road to chaptership, and acting as our liason with GPA
National. Lou's leadership, training and friendship is a
part of everything that GPA-NoVA is today.
In April 2001, GPA-Northern
Virginia was officially granted chapter status. From those early
days in the late 1980s when just a few people helped put a few greyhounds
into homes, we have grown into a strong organization with over 100 dues
paying members placing nearly 90 dogs a year. As we continue to
grow, we hope to do everything we can to make sure that every retired
racing greyhound has a home.
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