GreyHeart Greyhound Rescue and Adoption of Michigan, Inc. is a rescue organization that began out of a heartfelt and determined vision to save greyhounds from the horrors of the greyhound racing industry.

Responding to a need on the Southeastern side of Michigan, GreyHeart came to be.  Below is the story about the birth of GreyHeart written by the Founder, Carol Jensen. 

I became interested in the plight of the retired racing Greyhound in the early 90's, when I realized that if a greyhound lost just one race, they could loose their life. It was not until year’s later that I became aware of the horrors of the Greyhound Racing Industry.

 

In April of 1995, Wayne and I adopted Daisy from Helen Banks in Florida. Daisy was just 19 months old and had a mind of her own. This little peanut was just 47 lbs. Such a sweet greyhound, she would not hurt a fly.

 

At that time, Helen had a wonderful farm where the greyhounds went from the Naples/Ft. Myers race track to wait for adoption in Bonita Springs Florida. She held 35 to 45 greyhounds at any given time and was always full. 

 

 

Over the years, when down in Florida, I helped out at Helen’s farm...that’s where I found Shy, hiding in the back of a crate, scared and frightened. Shy was already 4 and had a long racing career.

 

 

The decision to add a second greyhound turned out to be life altering...we had to move from our condo in Novi Michigan (only 1 dog allowed) to a house with a

fenced-in yard (Shy did not potty well on a leash).

 

We also had to move from our condo in Florida to a house with a fenced-in yard ...SO needless to say it was a very hard year, moving 2 times in 6 months in 2 states....but we wanted Shy. The year was 1997.  

 

In May of 1999, I started to work with Second Chance for Greyhounds (SCFG) in Kalamazoo Michigan. They were formed from Helen Banks’ influence years prior. SCFG needed help with adoptions, in homes, transportation, etc., covering southeastern Michigan and I agreed to help.

 

Because the demand was so great on the southeastern side of Michigan it was obvious that another greyhound rescue & adoption group was needed and GreyHeart was formed....In December of 1999, 10 people sat brainstorming in our Livonia Michigan home and GREYHEART was born. Working GreyHeart every moment of every day, you can say My real estate career went to the dogs!!

 

 

In January of 2000 Joey came into our lives, he was just 2. Because I trusted Helen’s knowledge of greyhounds we adopted Joey sight unseen. Joey turned out to be one of the best greyhounds I have even known. He blended with our family and turned out to be the love of my life.

 

 

 

 

Then in June of 2001 Daytona came bounding into our lives. We fostered him, he was a return. He loved chasing cats.  He was 87 lbs. A strapping 3 yr. Old....well yes, he stayed!!!

 

 

 

Me, well in 2003 I retired and moved down to the Ft. Myers area.

 

Shy Girl was the 1st to leave us on April 7, 2005 from lumbar stenosis at the age of 11.5.

 

Daytona was the 2nd to leave us on September 10, 2007 from an unknown disease, he was only 9.5.

 

We lost Joey only 3 weeks later on October 6, 2007 to lymphoma…he was 1 month short of turning 10.

 

And Daisy, who was our 1st greyhound turned out to be the last greyhound in our house to leave us.  She left Wayne and I on January 12, 2008….at the age of 14.5.  Her mission was to see Shy (her best friend), Joey and Daytona through their lives, and she hung on and saw them thru.

 

In December of 2009 GreyHeart will hit a mile stone and turn 10 years old. The group is going strong, forging ahead and saving many, many lives. The wonderful volunteers who continue to put their blood, sweet and tears into saving this special breed is the reason GreyHeart is still in existence today. I am honored and proud that they continue on with my dream.