News Release
GPA Northwest Takes A New Name
Portland Oregon, April 1 2010
Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest
Contact: Janice Jones
President, GPA Northwest
What's In A Name?
For those of us here in the Pacific Northwest, being a part
of GPA Northwest has meant being part of the best Greyhound Adoption
group in Oregon. It has meant over 25 years of history, being part
of the group that started the retired racing Greyhound Adoption
movement and always knowing that your group would care for every
Greyhound possible without regard for where they came from or what
their condition. It has meant a lot to be a part of this group and
it will continue to mean a lot for as long as we all work together
for our common goal, To find loving homes for retired racing
Greyhounds and to educate the public about what wonderful pets
Greyhounds are.
In late 2009 our group was fortunate to have one of the local
television news anchor reporters take us under her wing as a cause
that she wants to support. Kacey Montoya is the early morning news
anchor for KOIN6 Local News in Portland. She is a dog lover and
adopted our group to help and support. This is a great friendship
and has been goo exposure for Greyhounds in our area.
One of the first events that Kacey helped us to promote was our 2009
Christmas Tree sale in Forest Heights. The sale was promoted on KOIN
News and we all had a great day and a very successful event. Kacey
struggled repeatedly getting our name right in her interviews and
finally asked us, what is it exactly that you do? As we spoke with
her, she said, "Oh, your Greyhound Pet Adoption in the Northwest".
We agreed that was a correct description of our work and realized
that that was a much simpler name than Greyhound Pets of America
Northwest. For years, when we told people our name, they usually
asked what we do. All of our advertising and literature always
explains that we do Greyhound Pet Adoption in the Northwest. A light
went off and the new name stuck with us when Kacey helped to promote
our Valentine Gala in February. She had trouble getting the whole,
Greyhound Pets of America Northwest out before it was time to close
out the promotional segment!
Most of us volunteering have gotten used to the name and explaining
what we do. This new name seemed like something that could catch on
and make sense to people that saw it. In January, the board of
directors discussed the name change with many of the key volunteers
to see what they thought of the idea. Most gave it some thought and
agreed that it was a good name and said exactly what we do. The only
concern raised was whether the public would be able to associate the
new name with the group that has been here for 25 years working to
find homes for Greyhounds. After trying it out for the last six
weeks, the answer is yes they can. Most people asked thought that
was already our name and that GPA Northwest stood for Greyhound Pet
Adoption Northwest.
The decision was made and we obtained approval from the state of
Oregon to do business as Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest. Our
corporation is still called Greyhound Pets of America Northwest but
we are now able to begin using our new, improved name in all areas
of our group.
Work is already beginning to change our brochures, website and other
printed materials to reflect our new name. Things like our telephone
listing and certain other accounts will be changed over time. What
seemed like a good idea last December and a petty good name in
February has turned out to be a great way to start the second decade
of the 21st century. Still the same strong, dedicated group of
volunteers working tirelessly to find homes for Greyhounds and
educate the public about how wonderful Greyhounds are as pets.
Watch for our new name as it begins to appear and enjoy the history
that led us here so that 25 years after our group started, we can
say that we are stronger than ever. We have placed of 4500 retired
racing Greyhounds into loving homes, the future will be open for us
to place another 4500.
About Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest
Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest is a non-profit corporation and tax-exempt
organization. The mission of Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest is to
find responsible, loving homes for Greyhounds and to acquaint the
public with the desirability of Greyhounds as pets. Whenever the
opportunity arises, Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest works to place
dogs that began their lives in Oregon. Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest is staffed entirely
by unpaid volunteers; all donations and other revenues are dedicated
entirely to supporting its Greyhound adoption program.