Prior to the adoption of one of our available hounds, GPA-Lexington requires an adoption application (with a $50 application fee) which will be reviewed and processed by several board members. We then conduct a vet reference check to determine how the applicants previous/current pets are cared for (i.e. are they spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, have they had yearly heartworm tests, and have they been on year-round heartworm &flea/tick prevention).
Home Visit
This visit occurs with the adoption/foster representatives and the applicant in the applicant’s home. The visit typically takes 1-1.5 hours, and we request that all family members living in the home be present. This time is spent providing information about the breed in general, and we also take time to inspect the family’s fence and gates. If the family does not currently have a fence, they must understand the commitment they will be undertaking to adopt a greyhound, and the requirements of taking the dog out on leash 4-5 times per day. We also take time to meet the family’s current pets to help us determine which foster dog may be a good match. If the applicant doesn’t already have a copy, we will provide the Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies book. After this visit, the GPA-Lexington board discusses the information obtained and whether or not a greyhound would be a good fit for the family’s needs, lifestyle, and expectations of a pet.
Application Approval
Pending approval by the GPA-Lexington board, the family will be introduced to a foster greyhound whose needs match the family’s needs and home environment. This introduction is done at a second visit to the family’s home, so all family members and pets have a chance to meet and get acclimated. This 2nd visit also provides time for the foster family to be present and give additional information about the potential match. Finally, we will schedule the adoption day on a separate day at the family’s home. This 3rd visit to the family’s home will allow them time to purchase needed supplies and make final preparations before their new family member comes home. At this time we will review and sign the Adoption Agreement.
Our Adoption Agreement, in part, stipulates the that the adopter will:
- Keep the greyhound on leash, or a completely fenced-in area at all times
- The adopter will notify GPA-Lexington immediately if the dog is loose, lost, stolen or deceased.,
- The adopter agrees that the Greyhound will wear a collar and identification tag with GPA-Lexington’s contact information at all times.
- The adopter agrees to administer monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention medications.
- If the adopter can no longer keep the greyhound, the adopter agrees the dog will be returned to GPA-Lexington.
We like to think of our process as “thorough,” and most of our adopters thank us for taking so much time with them. We have seen evidence that this thoroughness up front helps our greyhounds stay in their forever homes. Our return rate is very low and is most often due to life changes within the family, not because of any fault of the dog.
GPA-Lexington is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All of our members (including the board members) are volunteers. We are a dedicated group of volunteers who focus on quality placements, rather than quantity.
All of our greyhounds are housed in private foster homes, which are the backbone of this organization. This small group of volunteers are committed to acclimating off-the-track greyhounds to a home environment in preparation for placement in their forever home. We love what we do, and more importantly we love our greyhounds. GPA-Lexington is dedicated to each and every greyhound we take in to our program before and after adoption. We provide continued support and guidance after adoption.
Thank you for your interest and feel free to contact us with any questions!