Adopting the
Racing Greyhound: Elements of Greyhound
Adoption
by Marc Merel
Involvement
with greyhound rescue is unlike any other
canine breed rescue and adoption program.
You see, the majority of greyhounds that
come into the adoption market are taken
from the retired racing stock of
commercial breeders and trainers. The
adoption people must work ever harder at
"selling" the greyhound to the public
since the supply of dogs is never-ending.
Most of the greyhounds that enter the
adoption market are not rescued
dogs.Their lives are generally not
endangered, nor for that matter are they
even compromised. Most retired racing
greyhounds have led good lives up until
retirement eating nutritious food and
getting adequate veterinary care.
Greyhound adoption groups differ in
the way they handle the dogs as they
receive them. Each group's decisions in
how they handle the dogs are made based
upon things such as availability of
volunteers, size of the geographic area
that they are able to cover, availability
of a central kennel, availability of
affordable veterinary care or the
condition of the incoming dog or dogs.
Since there can be a wide range of
options, I will speak generally of the
preparation process of a greyhound prior
to final placement in a permanent home.
Greyhounds are usually received by an
adoption group in quantity although an
occasional dog will come in solo due to
injury or illness. A trailer, designed to
carry dogs, may be used to shuttle the
animals or they may be picked up by one
or more private vehicles for transport to
a central point. The dogs are either
muzzled or transported in crates to keep
them safe. Upon arrival at the central
location, the dogs are examined by
volunteers who record the dog's vital
information including weight, sex, color,
ear tattoo numbers and any scars or
deformities. Some groups test the dogs
for cat-safeness at this point. This test
will usually give a good indication as to
the greyhound's tolerance to cats and
small dogs. The dogs are usually bathed
using a greyhound-safe flea shampoo, hand
dried and then taken to crates so that
they can rest after their grueling trip.
Some adoption groups do not have the
luxury of a central kennel facility and
at this point, the dogs are moved to
foster homes.
Usually within a few days, the dogs
are taken to a veterinarian where they
are spayed or neutered, given a complete
medical examination and their teeth are
cleaned. (The racing diet is very soft
and tartar buildup is common in retired
racers.) If the dog is not already in
foster care, they are next moved to a
foster home. This, in my opinion, is the
most important part of a retired racer's
journey to a permanent home. In a foster
home, these athletes are easily converted
to family friends and pets. The foster
home is responsible for teaching the
greyhound about such things as stairs,
mirrors, television, ringing telephones,
and furniture. Foster homes are
encouraged to socialize the dog and not
to get too attached since the intention
here is to teach the dog and move them
out to a permanent home. (I personally
have failed at this twice having kept my
last two foster greyhounds.) The foster
family is also responsible for learning
about the new greyhound's personality and
helping to ensure the new family chosen
for their foster dog is a good match.
Most foster families have the final
say-so on the adoption of their dog to a
permanent family.
The day has arrived that a greyhound
will meet and stay with their new family.
The foster family brings the new family
pet to the permanent home and makes sure
the fit is good. It remains the foster
families' job in many cases to stay the
point of contact for the new family for
any questions or concerns. Staying in
touch with foster greyhounds is an
important part of the lives of many
foster families. It often makes the
process of separation easier for the
humans and the foster family can be
assured they have chosen well for their
friend.
Finally, the foster home is one
greyhound lonelier tonight. The foster
family has taken the time, patience and
love to socialize an animal that is
already, by its very nature calm, loving
and loyal. They have done their job well
and have let go of their newly found
friend. But not to worry for they will
not be short of greyhounds for long.
There is a new load of hounds coming soon
and again they will pour their love into
a new friend.
