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REGAP, a non-profit greyhound adoption organization, was founded in 1987 by Jacquie Schnepf. Her husband, Dr. Dale Schnepf, was a veterinarian at All Pets Animal Clinic in Waterloo, Iowa, where the greyhound track had opened the previous year. Trainers from the new track soon began bringing dogs that had lost their competitive edge to Dr. Schnepf to be euthanized. Dr. Schnepf agreed to euthanize the retired racers, but quickly became disgusted with the practice of euthanizing healthy dogs, since he had become a veterinarian to help animals. Jacquie Schnepf sought an alternative and REGAP was the answer. The Waterloo veterinarian continued to accept the retired greyhounds. However, rather than euthanize the dogs, the Schnepfs saved them by placing them in adoptive homes. REGAP was one of the first organizations of this sort. It was designed to accept the retired racers and then place them up for adoption. Since its beginning in 1987, REGAP has found homes for thousands of retired racers. In a record year, 1700 dogs were adopted. The organization also grew and expanded. REGAP was headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, with satellite operations in Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois and Michigan. When the Schnepfs retired, they sold the veterinary practice in Waterloo, but tried to maintain the organization they started. Over the years, it became evident that the operations in Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois and Michigan had grown to the point of being able to exist their own. In late 1996, the satellite operations began to individually incorporate and continue independently with the adoption processes. The National REGAP Network in Illinois incorporated in January 1997. We maintain affiliations with our sister organizations as well as provide national referrals to other Greyhound rescue and adoption organizations. |
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