FOSTER A GREYHOUND
GreySave's MOST important job --
GreySave has three types of foster homes - One takes in new and healthy hounds from the track and helps them to become a canine companion. This job includes teaching the new greyhound to be a good family pet, including but is not limited to - learning what they are like so you can help find the right home for them; house training and acclimating them to the strange world in the home and the sounds of life off the track; limited transportation to get them their spay or neuter surgery and being with them when they meet their new family. This type of fostering usually lasts a month to 6 weeks. The other 2 types of foster homes take a bit more experience or time. The injured hound foster home take a hound fresh from the track and keeps them till they are ready for adoption, usually for 3 to 4 months. The additional requirement to be an injured hound foster is that you can take your hound to the speciality vet's office in Irvine weekly for a bandage change. The post-spay foster home requires the foster parent have a bit more medical experience and they need to live in either the Yorba Linda or La Crescenta areas. These foster home's keep a close watch over our females for approximately 48 after they are spay. This program reallly help our new adopters and our Foster to Adopt homes.
We are always looking to add new foster homes! About once a month we bring a group of dogs up from the track. How many we can bring depends largely on how many foster homes we have.
GreySave has three types of foster homes - One takes in new and healthy hounds from the track and helps them to become a canine companion. This job includes teaching the new greyhound to be a good family pet, including but is not limited to - learning what they are like so you can help find the right home for them; house training and acclimating them to the strange world in the home and the sounds of life off the track; limited transportation to get them their spay or neuter surgery and being with them when they meet their new family. This type of fostering usually lasts a month to 6 weeks. The other 2 types of foster homes take a bit more experience or time. The injured hound foster home take a hound fresh from the track and keeps them till they are ready for adoption, usually for 3 to 4 months. The additional requirement to be an injured hound foster is that you can take your hound to the speciality vet's office in Irvine weekly for a bandage change. The post-spay foster home requires the foster parent have a bit more medical experience and they need to live in either the Yorba Linda or La Crescenta areas. These foster home's keep a close watch over our females for approximately 48 after they are spay. This program reallly help our new adopters and our Foster to Adopt homes.
We are always looking to add new foster homes! About once a month we bring a group of dogs up from the track. How many we can bring depends largely on how many foster homes we have.
Interested in Becoming a Foster Home?
Many of our volunteers say that fostering is the most rewarding part of working with greyhounds. Since we have no kennel, the number of dogs we can place is dependent on the number of volunteer foster homes. With few exceptions the number of dogs we bring up from the track each month is based on the number of available foster homes.
To begin the process of becoming a GreySave foster home, please fill out the adoption application and click the box marked "foster." A GreySave representative will get in touch with you to start the approval process. If you have already adopted a greyhound from GreySave, instead of completing a new application contact the GreySave foster coordinator.
Many of our volunteers say that fostering is the most rewarding part of working with greyhounds. Since we have no kennel, the number of dogs we can place is dependent on the number of volunteer foster homes. With few exceptions the number of dogs we bring up from the track each month is based on the number of available foster homes.
To begin the process of becoming a GreySave foster home, please fill out the adoption application and click the box marked "foster." A GreySave representative will get in touch with you to start the approval process. If you have already adopted a greyhound from GreySave, instead of completing a new application contact the GreySave foster coordinator.
The GreySave Foster to Adopt Program - what is it?
GreySave has set up a special Foster to Adopt Program. It is for people that think they would like to adopt but are not sure and would really like to be part of changing their greyhound from racer to companion. Here is how it works. First, the potential Foster to Adopt (FTA) home applies to adopt via the website and notes on the application that they would like to foster or FTA. An Adoption Representative will contact you to answer all your questions and meet with you. After your application has been approved just let your Adoption Representative know you would like to foster to potentially adopt.
At the next Homecoming, you would come and work with the greyhound welcoming team, meet the dogs. After the small dog and cat testing you would work with the Foster coordinator to select a dog that your believe will fit your family needs and take them home initially as a foster. We will assigned an experienced Foster Home to guide you as you foster. When your foster is ready to adopt you will be give the opportunity to adopt them before anyone else gets to meet them. We started this program a couple of years ago and and have had many Foster to Adopt Forever success stories. Contact Cathy to find out more about this program.
GreySave has set up a special Foster to Adopt Program. It is for people that think they would like to adopt but are not sure and would really like to be part of changing their greyhound from racer to companion. Here is how it works. First, the potential Foster to Adopt (FTA) home applies to adopt via the website and notes on the application that they would like to foster or FTA. An Adoption Representative will contact you to answer all your questions and meet with you. After your application has been approved just let your Adoption Representative know you would like to foster to potentially adopt.
At the next Homecoming, you would come and work with the greyhound welcoming team, meet the dogs. After the small dog and cat testing you would work with the Foster coordinator to select a dog that your believe will fit your family needs and take them home initially as a foster. We will assigned an experienced Foster Home to guide you as you foster. When your foster is ready to adopt you will be give the opportunity to adopt them before anyone else gets to meet them. We started this program a couple of years ago and and have had many Foster to Adopt Forever success stories. Contact Cathy to find out more about this program.
What it is like fostering a greyhound
By Mark Spiegel
First, a little back- ground. I've had my older greyhound for what will soon be 3 years and have two total. I have been taking in fosters for about 18 months now. The briefest guest has been 10 days. The longest has been around 2 months. To date, I haven't had a dog straight off the track. Instead, I usually get bounced dogs, dogs that are post spay/neuter, or dogs that just need a change of scenery.
I foster because it has been a very rewarding experience. Even though my guests have not come right off the track, they are still getting used to their new world and all the new sights, sounds, and experiences. This ranges from handling wood floors and stairs to learning that the water is deeper than it looks. Some need to learn that the dog in the mirror is just that. As much as possible, I enjoy standing back to take it in. Even more rewarding is what my fosters have taught me. There is no magic for- mula. Some are outgoing and do better with the boisterous home. Others are shy and require an ever-so-gentle approach. I've tried to learn to read what our svelte friends are looking for and give them an environment that best suits their needs. Each dog is like a Christmas present that we get to open ever so slowly. As they spend time and get comfortable, they open up, show- ing us new habits and traits. It is a treat to see what any given foster is going to show me next.
At some point, the right forever home will come along. Yes, I get attached to every single one of them. It can be tough that day when they leave. That said, I'm glad to see them go. For me the payoff is sending the foster forth, seeing them matched with a good home, and placed there. If I'm lucky, I'll see them at a picnic, a spa day, or some other function. After a day or two, I get looking forward to the next one.
By Mark Spiegel
First, a little back- ground. I've had my older greyhound for what will soon be 3 years and have two total. I have been taking in fosters for about 18 months now. The briefest guest has been 10 days. The longest has been around 2 months. To date, I haven't had a dog straight off the track. Instead, I usually get bounced dogs, dogs that are post spay/neuter, or dogs that just need a change of scenery.
I foster because it has been a very rewarding experience. Even though my guests have not come right off the track, they are still getting used to their new world and all the new sights, sounds, and experiences. This ranges from handling wood floors and stairs to learning that the water is deeper than it looks. Some need to learn that the dog in the mirror is just that. As much as possible, I enjoy standing back to take it in. Even more rewarding is what my fosters have taught me. There is no magic for- mula. Some are outgoing and do better with the boisterous home. Others are shy and require an ever-so-gentle approach. I've tried to learn to read what our svelte friends are looking for and give them an environment that best suits their needs. Each dog is like a Christmas present that we get to open ever so slowly. As they spend time and get comfortable, they open up, show- ing us new habits and traits. It is a treat to see what any given foster is going to show me next.
At some point, the right forever home will come along. Yes, I get attached to every single one of them. It can be tough that day when they leave. That said, I'm glad to see them go. For me the payoff is sending the foster forth, seeing them matched with a good home, and placed there. If I'm lucky, I'll see them at a picnic, a spa day, or some other function. After a day or two, I get looking forward to the next one.
A Greyhounds's First Day Off The Track --
The day on which GreySave greyhounds leave the track forever is a very long day. They travel over a hundred miles, undergo treatment and testing, and experience extensive grooming for probably the first time in their lives. But at the end of this long day, their foster families are waiting to welcome them into their homes.
The dogs are usually a bit dazed and confused at first. They often won't look people in the face out of insecurity, they don't understand the "potty outside only" rule, and they don't know how to play with toys. But for most, the next 48 hours will bring an almost magical transformation. They not only learn to look their foster "parents" in the face without fear, but they become so bonded to them that they don't want to let them out of their sight. They often learn housetraining in 48 hours with the techniques used by GreySave.
They often begin playing with toys by this time, too. Over the next couple of weeks, their true personality begins to emerge as they gain confidence in their strange, new environment.
GreySave foster homes help them put on weight if they were especially underweight to prepare them for their spay or neuter. They then help the dogs recover from surgery, and may provide basic obedience training.
The day on which GreySave greyhounds leave the track forever is a very long day. They travel over a hundred miles, undergo treatment and testing, and experience extensive grooming for probably the first time in their lives. But at the end of this long day, their foster families are waiting to welcome them into their homes.
The dogs are usually a bit dazed and confused at first. They often won't look people in the face out of insecurity, they don't understand the "potty outside only" rule, and they don't know how to play with toys. But for most, the next 48 hours will bring an almost magical transformation. They not only learn to look their foster "parents" in the face without fear, but they become so bonded to them that they don't want to let them out of their sight. They often learn housetraining in 48 hours with the techniques used by GreySave.
They often begin playing with toys by this time, too. Over the next couple of weeks, their true personality begins to emerge as they gain confidence in their strange, new environment.
GreySave foster homes help them put on weight if they were especially underweight to prepare them for their spay or neuter. They then help the dogs recover from surgery, and may provide basic obedience training.
Week 1
Homecoming Day is a big day for our greyhounds. Whether they come from the track or a pound, every greyhound is put through a complete medical check-up and preliminary cat and small-dog testing (go to the Homecoming Day link above if you haven't already done so). Then, our greys are matched with a foster home who will help them adjust to life as a pet.
The first days can be challenging, but are also often the most rewarding for a foster home. Whether it's introducing a new greyhound to mirrors, dog doors or stairs, each greyhound has many puppy-like qualities, even if they're full-grown, adult dogs. Housetraining is typically a fairly easy process, especially if the foster home has other dogs.
GreySave has a full volunteer network available to assist our foster homes with everything from housebreaking tips, to training tricks, to introducing a foster dog to a family's dogs, cats and kids. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Homecoming Day is a big day for our greyhounds. Whether they come from the track or a pound, every greyhound is put through a complete medical check-up and preliminary cat and small-dog testing (go to the Homecoming Day link above if you haven't already done so). Then, our greys are matched with a foster home who will help them adjust to life as a pet.
The first days can be challenging, but are also often the most rewarding for a foster home. Whether it's introducing a new greyhound to mirrors, dog doors or stairs, each greyhound has many puppy-like qualities, even if they're full-grown, adult dogs. Housetraining is typically a fairly easy process, especially if the foster home has other dogs.
GreySave has a full volunteer network available to assist our foster homes with everything from housebreaking tips, to training tricks, to introducing a foster dog to a family's dogs, cats and kids. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Weeks 2 - 3
Once a foster greyhound is cleared by our medical advisers, it is spayed or neutered, its teeth cleaned and Rabies shot given, and a personality profile is completed by a GreySave representative. Then the foster is ready to be adopted.
Once a foster greyhound is cleared by our medical advisers, it is spayed or neutered, its teeth cleaned and Rabies shot given, and a personality profile is completed by a GreySave representative. Then the foster is ready to be adopted.
Weeks 3 - 4 +
When an application comes in from a prospective adopter who seems to be a "match" for a certain greyhound, we ask the adopter to make arrangements with the foster home to meet the foster greyhound. After spending time with each of the potential matches, our new adopters make their selection and becomes another happy home!
When an application comes in from a prospective adopter who seems to be a "match" for a certain greyhound, we ask the adopter to make arrangements with the foster home to meet the foster greyhound. After spending time with each of the potential matches, our new adopters make their selection and becomes another happy home!
Letting Go
One of the biggest fears of new foster homes is that they won't be able to let go of their foster dogs. There is always the possibility of "Foster Failure" (i.e., adopting your foster). But it's far more common that a foster home is able to let go of its foster, knowing that he or she is going to a great new home. This helps make room for the next foster, and builds an extended greyhound family for our foster homes and GreySave as a group.
We encourage our foster homes to keep in touch with the families that adopt each of their foster greyhounds, and love to hear about all the play-dates and babysitting networks that the fostering experience helps to build.
One of the biggest fears of new foster homes is that they won't be able to let go of their foster dogs. There is always the possibility of "Foster Failure" (i.e., adopting your foster). But it's far more common that a foster home is able to let go of its foster, knowing that he or she is going to a great new home. This helps make room for the next foster, and builds an extended greyhound family for our foster homes and GreySave as a group.
We encourage our foster homes to keep in touch with the families that adopt each of their foster greyhounds, and love to hear about all the play-dates and babysitting networks that the fostering experience helps to build.
Choosing Your New Greyhound
Now it's time to pick the greyhound that's just right for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Go to Finding the right match to find out how you pick just the right hound.
Now it's time to pick the greyhound that's just right for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Go to Finding the right match to find out how you pick just the right hound.
