Time Requirement
You will be asked to take in a foster greyhound from a minimum of one week to a maximum of several months. Note: Please do not volunteer to foster and then not follow through on the promise to the greyhound we will bring in to our program for you to foster. We do not have the resources to take care of a lot of dogs, if you cannot live up to your commitment. It is also hard on a dog to go from foster home to foster home if you decide, after taking your dog, that you don’t have the time to take care of it and we have to find it another foster home.
Experience and Training Required
Most people who have had experience with dogs, or who have had dogs in their lives are qualified to foster for GPA-Lexington. If you have not had any experience with greyhounds (or the sight hound breed), we suggest that you read Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies by Lee Livingood. You will receive a copy of the book, and a fostering agreement to read after your approval, to help you get ready to receive your first foster greyhound.
Supplies and Expenses Required
Our organization will supply: a crate, dog bed(s), muzzle, food bowls, martingale collar, and leash, GPA-Lexington identification tag, flea/tick preventative, heartworm preventative, toys, and a food stipend – everything involved in taking care of a greyhound as long as it is in foster care! We will also be responsible for veterinarian treatment while a greyhound is in your care. We do require that foster caregivers have a fenced-in yard, or are willing to walk the greyhound on a leash at all times, if not in a completely fenced-in area.
Commitment Required
Your foster greyhound will be depending upon you to help him/her learn how to transition from life in a crate to life in a house! This is not a hard process! It’s just a matter of teaching the greyhound that the house is a big crate. This is done at an easy pace from crate to house, one room at a time. Your foster greyhound will learn how to navigate stairs, how to walk across tile floors, etc. You will introduce your foster to windows, mirrors, and all sorts of things they’ve never seen before. More importantly, you will give your foster love and affection that will be returned many times over!
You will also be expected to make your foster greyhound available for meet and greet events, to meet potential adopters, and to “let go” when it’s time for an adoption. That means that you must check phone messages and emails regularly and be prepared to have your foster picked up, or to bring your foster where needed.
If you are interested in opening your heart and home to greyhound fostering, please fill out our Foster Application and submit it as soon as possible. Make sure to fill out the form completely so that we can determine what type of greyhound would be most suitable to your lifestyle. If you have any questions prior to submitting an application to volunteer, please email or call us. Remember, you may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for one greyhound at a time!