The Sparkle Fund

Greyhound Pets of Atlantic Canada (GPAC) is a non-profit organization that depends on the hard work of it's volunteers and the kind hearts of strangers. The Sparkle Fund is dedicated to helping out the greyhounds in need of monetary support in order to allow them to continue living a comfortable life as a retired greyhound. Each year an auction is held to help raise money for this fund and now GPAC has taken to the internet and Ebay in an effort to reach out to more people. GPAC accepts dogs with special needs and with its supporters, will rehabilitate these dogs so that they can be adopted into loving homes. To fully understand how important the Sparkle Fund is to our organization, read Chase's story below, as it shows this as well as how vital it is to have foster families who take the time with these special cases and provide the love and support for such a dog.

If you would like to make a cash donation, please go to www.paypal.com and click on the Send Money tab. Our Paypal email address is .

If you would like to send an item for our fundraising efforts, please contact the Donation Coordinators for the respective branches:

For Nova Scotia donations please email [email protected]
For Newfoundland donations please email Lauren Cheeseman at

Donations can also be sent to: The Sparkle Fund, C/O GPAC, PO Box 38203, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X2

Thank you for your ongoing support!!!

A Sponsorship Fundraiser for a Foster Dog in Need

A GREAT BIG THANKS to everyone who helped Chase, our foster dog in need of medical treatment for osteomylitis (a bone infection). Chase has been through a hard couple of months but he is now healthy, happy and ready to be adopted. He has been off all meds since the beginning of February (2006) and there are no signs of infection. He is a "greyt" pup and revealing more of his distinct personality with each day that passes.

Chase or DL Dreamscape, his racing name, came up on a load of hounds on July 29, 2005. He was recovering from a rear broken leg that was surgically repaired with a plate and nine pins. He needed some special care while he recovered, consisting of light exercise and a compassionate, watchful eye. Chase was taken in by a foster family who didn't hesitate to fulfill these requirements.

Soon after arriving at his foster home, Chase was rushed to the vet's where it was discovered that he had osteomylitis in the area of the break. He was put on antibiotics, pain medication and hydro therapy twice a day, along with crate rest. This treatment lasted for seven weeks and with every day there were visible improvements. All seemed to be going according to plan and it was determined that he was finally ready to get off his antibiotics. Unfortunately, In less than 48 hours after taking his last antibiotic, he was once again rushed to the vets. His temperature had rapidly increased and his leg began to swell; the infection had not been cured. He spent the night at the animal hospital for observation and was released the next day. He was now on second type of antibiotic and more pain medications, and a referral was made to PEI Veterinary College.

The PEI Veterinary College proposed that in order to cure the infection they would have to remove the pins in his leg and transplant bone from his hip. With the help of a greyhound message board in the United States, an alternative treatment was attempted, consisting an antibiotic called Baytril and a medication called pentoxifyline. Pentoxifyline helps increase circulation by relaxing the blood vessels thus getting more blood, and the vital antibiotic, to the infected bone. There are very few blood vessels supplying the bone, so when you are trying to cure an infection in the bone it takes weeks of antibiotic to get the job done.

The Sparkle Fund came through with the funds needed to continue Chase’s treatment . This was a six month process with the Baytril, Pentoxifryline, x-rays and blood work to monitor his progress with his daily monetary needs averaging out to be $15.00 dollars per day.

The Sparkle Fund exists to help dogs like Chase who require special medical attention. Donations can be sent to: Sparkle Fund, C/O GPAC, PO Box 38203, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X2