GREY2K USA Worldwide: Behind the Curtain of an Animal Extremist Powerhouse

A version of this article was previously published. Most of the information provided still holds true today. Western Justice is sharing to help reveal the manner in which extremist groups operate, their ties to and cooperation with other extremist groups, and the continued threat they pose to our lifestyles and livelihoods.

Introduction

GREY2K USA Worldwide markets itself as the leading advocate against greyhound racing, presenting a polished image of compassion and reform. But beneath the showy fundraising appeals lies a far more complex—and troubling—organization. With close ties to larger animal rights networks, allegations of misinformation, and financial practices that raise eyebrows, GREY2K reveals the anatomy of a modern activist machine.

A Questionable “Charity”

Despite soliciting donations with urgent pleas such as “Give Now to Save Greyhounds”, GREY2K is not a charity. It is registered as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, not a 501(c)(3). This means donations are not tax-deductible, and unlike legitimate charities, the group is not evaluated by Charity Navigator. To fill the optics gap, GREY2K operates a sister entity—the GREY2K USA Education Fund—which does qualify for tax-deductible donations.

The Power Couple at the Helm

Founded in 2001 by Christine Dorchak and Carey Theil, GREY2K has always been a family operation. Dorchak serves as President and General Counsel, while Theil is Executive Director. This husband-and-wife duo has run the organization without interruption for over two decades, cementing themselves as the face of a crusade that has reached far beyond greyhound tracks.

Following the Money

Financial records show an organization more focused on politics than adoption.

- From 2009 to 2014, GREY2K raised over $2 million, but only 1.4% of funds went to greyhound adoption programs.

- In 2023, GREY2K reported $791,844 in revenue and $1,032,264 in expenses, ending the year with a $240,000 loss despite maintaining $1.67 million in assets.

- Their 2024 reports claim 86% of spending went to program efforts—including lobbying, lawsuits, and ballot measures—while just 5% was used for administration and 9% for development and communications.

Though GREY2K publicly claims to support greyhound adoption, their own figures reveal that advocacy and legal work—not direct animal care—consume the overwhelming bulk of their funds.

Lobbying Machine

As a 501(c)(4), GREY2K is free to lobby aggressively—and they do. In 2025 alone, the group has already spent around $25,000 lobbying Congress and state legislatures to advance its agenda. These efforts follow a long-established pattern: use emotional appeals to voters, push ballot measures, and leverage legal challenges against industries they wish to dismantle.

The Florida Campaign & Allegations of Misinformation

GREY2K’s most celebrated victory came in 2018, when they helped pass Florida’s Amendment 13, banning greyhound racing. But critics say the campaign was built on misinformation. Industry insiders claim GREY2K deliberately misled voters about constitutional changes, while portraying greyhound owners and breeders as abusers.

The campaign’s consequences were striking: not only were dog tracks shuttered, but Florida’s gambling constitution was reshaped—opening the door for more casinos to operate in the state, a move some religiously affiliated GREY2K board members had previously campaigned against elsewhere.

Extortion Scandal

GREY2K’s credibility was further tarnished when media reports linked the organization to a 2011 federal extortion arrest. While GREY2K distanced itself, the shadow of criminal association added fuel to critics’ claims of corruption and unethical tactics.

Expanding the Agenda

GREY2K is not stopping at dog racing. They are increasingly active in campaigns that reach well beyond greyhounds:

- Farming & Food Production: Partnering with HSUS, GREY2K supported efforts in Massachusetts to restrict egg production through Question 3, despite the state having only one commercial egg farm.

- Entertainment: Advocacy has targeted circuses, exotic animal ownership, and traveling animal shows.

- Gambling: At least one board member’s involvement is tied not to animal welfare, but to anti-gambling activism.

This pattern reflects a broader strategy used by animal rights organizations: target small, vulnerable sectors, build momentum, and then expand to more mainstream industries.

The Founder’s Radical Roots

President Christine Dorchak’s résumé highlights deep ties to the animal rights movement. She previously worked for the New England Anti-Vivisection Society, a group seeking to end all animal research. She has been a featured speaker at HSUS’s Taking Action for Animals Conference, and reports place her on the Animal Liberation Front’s “Hall of Fame” list—a group linked to extremist direct actions.

Dorchak has also been photographed at PETA protests, and her social media networks include numerous activists from vegan and animal rights organizations. These affiliations suggest that GREY2K’s agenda is firmly aligned with the radical wing of the movement.

GREY2K’s Record of “Success”

There is no denying GREY2K’s impact:

- Since 2001, 47 U.S. greyhound tracks have closed.

- 44 states now ban greyhound racing, leaving only two operational tracks in West Virginia.

- The industry has seen an 80% decline in gambling revenue since GREY2K began its campaigns.

- Internationally, the group is pushing bans in New Zealand, Ireland, and Mexico.

These victories, however, come at the expense of thousands of jobs, long-standing industries, and constitutional precedents.

Conclusion: Advocacy or Extremism?

GREY2K USA Worldwide has mastered the art of blending emotional appeals with aggressive lobbying. While marketed as a voice for animal welfare, its record shows a more complicated reality—one dominated by politics, litigation, and alliances with radical organizations.

For donors and policymakers, the question remains: is GREY2K truly about saving greyhounds, or is it another cog in a much larger machine seeking to completely reshape society’s relationship with animals, agriculture, and even gambling?