Greyhound racing abusively pushes the limits of the animals themselves. And then after their careers they are simply disposed of. That’s where greyhound rescue agencies come in.

Greyhounds have very little value to their owners for once their lives of torturous racing ends, so if they’re lucky enough to be given to an agency, or even found, they are helped.

They undergo rehabilitation once recovered and are eventually paired with somebody to be given a normal life.

The life of a greyhound isn’t what man’s best friend’s should be. They’re never given the love and care they deserve, they’re simply profits to their owners. All racing greyhounds are pushed to a point that the animals aren’t much more than muscle and bone.

According to PETA, countless greyhounds are disposed of before they even reach a racetrack due to selective breeding to ensure owners can benefit most from all their product.

From 2008-2015, 11,722 greyhound injuries occured due to racing, according to The ASPCA, as well as 909 deaths.

Greyhound racing originated in 1876, taking place in Hendon, England. The sport has since been a significant part of the United States gambling industry, similar to the way people gamble on horse racing. Some “retired” greyhounds are put up for adoption, others are sent to breeding farms, and the fate of the remaining dogs is unknown.

Mrs. Jan Saam, principal of Naugatuck High School rescued a greyhound and spent ten years providing her with the life she truly deserved.

“When I picked her up, she was right off the track, she was bleeding and covered in dirt,” said Saam.

Mrs. Saam provided high praise for her dog, Lady, speaking to her obedience and loyalty. And  although she went into detail how medical bills racked up to allow the dog to live a healthy life, she said it was well worth it.

“For the first few months, Lady would get scared at the TV, the phone, and the any other foreign noise… she spent most of her time in her crate because, well, that’s all she knew.”

These dogs live lonely lives of racing and abuse, but those lucky enough to encounter one in their lifetime, for sure realize how impactful they can be to the families life. The have love to offer just life any other dog, if given the chance to be away from the track.

“She made me realize that forgiveness can happen no matter how horrible the events you’ve experienced,” said Mrs. Saam, in regards to the impact a greyhound can have on a person’s life.