Greyhound Adoption

The In's and Out's of Greyhound Adoption Placement

The policies of many agencies are very protective about the home environment in which the Greyhound will be placed. Often, the adoption placement process ie. application, interview and approval can be quite lengthy. Some groups will not place dogs into apartments, homes without fenced yards or homes with cats, toddlers or stairs. And most if not all have the potential adopter promise to keep their Greyhound on a leash at all times when outside of a protected area or reserve the right to take the dog back. Adoption placement cost is usually not a major factor. Most agencies charge from $75 to $225.

Be sure to compare medical services provided. All agencies should clip the nails, test for heartworm and provide basic shots and de-worming medicine. After adoption placement many groups offer support, as needed. Often this support makes the difference in whether the dog stays or gets returned. In terms of philosophy some agencies strongly oppose dog racing, and others are operated by the dog tracks. Many organizations remain neutral to preserve their relationships with the trainers or to avoid jeopardizing monetary support from the tracks.

Many agencies place their Greyhounds into a home environment for a brief period before adoption placement. Fostering is usually a great way to ease the transition. During the foster period, many agencies have the dog’s teeth cleaned and have them spayed or neutered. The foster families make sure the dogs are housebroken as well as introduce the dogs to many of the new experiences of retired life, such as televisions, stairs, mirrors, couches and children. Some groups test their dogs to determine whether they are cat-safe. If you have a cat or other small pet, be sure to ask for a dog with a low prey drive. Some agencies will make a real effort to evaluate the Greyhound's personality to ensure a good match. Some adoption groups do not have the resources to foster the dogs; in this case placement often occur straight from the kennel.

By Gabriele Gottschlag
Gabriele's website http://www.1st-greyhound-dog-care.com was created for the appreciation of this unique breed. Having been an owner for fifteen years has given her first hand knowledge and a special love for the sensitive and beautiful Greyhound dog.
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