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Maine Greyhound Placement Service
Adoption Center
249 Old Belgrade Rd.
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-626-2893 Fax: 207-626-2835
or email Scott Bruns at
greyhoundplacement@verizon.net
MGPS Milestones
Ground Breaking
Ceremony for Greyhound Clinic
Excitement filled the air at the MGPS kennel on the afternoon of October 29th as
about seventy members and friends gathered with their greyhounds. The day before
had been cold and stormy but now the sun shone as if declaring a bright and
promising future ahead.
Scott Bruns, President & Executive Officer of MGPS, spoke to the group about the
journey MGPS has taken to reach this day. Originally Greyhound Placement,
incorporated in ’90, was made up of six adoption kennels for retired racing
greyhounds; one in Mass, 3 in NH, and two in ME. Eventually only one kennel in
each state prospered while the others failed. Scott and Mary Towle, completely
committed and dedicated to finding loving responsible homes for the greyhounds,
were able to keep the kennel going in Bridgton, ME. MGPS became incorporated as
a nonprofit tax-exempt organization in ’97. In 2001 a small surgery and dental
room was constructed and several veterinarians were hired on a part-time basis
to provide care to the greyhounds at the kennel. The veterinary side of the
operation proved to be as successful as the adoptions. Eventually greyhounds
from other shelters on the east coast from as far away as NJ were neutered and
given dental care. After receiving care the dogs were transported back to their
original shelters as a trip south was made to pick up others retiring from the
racetrack. In 2003 MGPS moved to its present location in Augusta in order to
become more centrally located in Maine. Temporary surgical and dental rooms were
constructed in the house occupied by Scott and Kennel Manager, Louise Sawyer,
with the hope for an onsite clinic in the future. Thanks to tireless work by
Scott, Mary, Louise and many dedicated volunteers, that clinic is now becoming a
reality. The clinic is a personal milestone for Scott. He has dreamed of
being able to improve and affect the lives of greyhounds not only in Maine but
also up and down the east coast by offering reasonable veterinary care. This
dream was realized for a short time at the MGPS clinic in Bridgton and on a
limited basis in Augusta. A hauler would be utilized in round trips by picking
up dogs for adoption and medical treatment and on the return trip delivering
treated dogs to their respective adoption group. His desire to help other hard
working adoption groups is slowly becoming a reality. He hopes to be able to
offer specialized geriatric care, cancer treatment, and immediate care for leg
fractures to dogs retiring from the tract.
As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, a blessing, which included the Prayer
for Animals by Albert Schweitzer, was offered by The Rev. John Ineson, Vicar,
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church of Augusta. During the blessing a special
“greyhound comment” was given by “Ziggy”!
The time had come for the actual ground breaking. The enormity of the occasion
was reflected by the fact that mere shovels were not used; a steadfast request
of Scott. After climbing up on an excavator and scooping the first dirt, he gave
thumbs up with a BIG smile as humans cheered and greyhounds howled.
The celebration continued with the awarding of several raffle prizes, and a
wonderful buffet that included a special greyhound decorated cake donated by Amy
Hart of Auburn, ME.
Ground breaking has been followed by massive site work with greyhound adopter,
Judson Quiaoit of Level Best Co., Vassalboro, ME, as the general contractor. He
is in charge of Phase I of the building project: grading the site to road level,
putting in the parking lot, installing the septic system, underground electric
cables, pouring the foundation and construction of a sediment pond. Judson has
worked with emphasis on keeping costs down and trying to find donated materials.
Elliot Thayer of Thayer Engineering, Farmingdale, ME, has engineered the site
work. A total of 7454 tons of fill, stone and gravel was needed to build up the
site to road level for the driveway and parking area. Michelle Mitchell, another
greyhound adopter and Master Electrician is totally committed to working on the
clinic. On her own time she is doing what is necessary to plan the electrical
layout, calculating the electrical service, meeting with the inspectors, etc.
During the construction she plans to take vacation time from her job at Cianbro
and organize a team of electrician friends who will also volunteer their labor.
Depending on weather, the foundation will be done in mid April. More
fundraising is needed for Phase II, which will be the actual construction of the
building, hopefully in June.
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