Welcome to Edition Eleven of the GAP newsletter! We hope you’ll find it an informative and enjoyable read.

PRISON PET PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM - A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE

The sight of six greyhounds being walked in a prison ground would be incongruous anywhere else, but HM Prison Dhurringile is part of an Australian-first pilot program where prisoners rehabilitate and retrain retired racing greyhounds as pets. Almost 20 dogs have already been through the Second Chance at Life Prison Pet Partnership Program which has been operating at Murchison's Dhurringile prison, near Shepparton, since September last year. The dogs are fostered out to the prison by the Greyhound Adoption Program and undergo a six week obedience and integration course under the watchful eye of specially trained prisoners.

The Prison Pet Partnership was officially launched by Deputy Premier and Minister for Racing Rob Hulls in April but the program is soon to be expanded into other Victorian minimum security prisons Beechworth, Tarrangower and Langi Kal Kal within the next twelve months. The program is an innovative collaboration between Corrections Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria, through the Greyhound Adoption Program.

At the launch, Mr Hulls said the changes in the prisoners chosen to work with the greyhounds were significant. "The program has an impressive dual role, rehabilitating retired racing greyhounds and giving them a second chance at life as well as providing a positive focus for the prisoners who undertake to care for the dogs," he said.

Mr Hulls also announced  $480,000 in government funding through the Racing Industry Development Program towards the $1 million extension and refurbishment of the Seymour GAP facility.

GAP PROPERTY REDEVELOPMENT

The new administration building now has windows and a roof, and by the end of this week the outside cladding should be on. The kennel block will hopefully begin construction later next week. We have a tentative date of the 22nd of June booked for the grand Open Day, and the details of this event will be confirmed in the June newsletter.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4th May - Greyhound Walking Club gathering. PLEASE NOTE: Emrald Lake Park walk has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled for a later date. The Walking Club will still be going ahead on this date however, with the venue changed to the Botanic Gardens, meeting at 10.30am at the Observatory Cafe. (Melways ref. 2F K12) Everyone welcome! If you are running late or lost, please phone Steve on 0432 873 821.

4th May - Park Orchards Playgroup. 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Stintons Reserve, Stintons Rd, Park Orchards. Melways ref 35 B8. Everyone is welcome but only greyhounds are allowed to run on the track.

11th May - Ballarat Playgroup. 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Ballarat Greyhound Track, Rubicon St, Ballarat. Everyone is welcome but only greyhounds are allowed to run on the track.

17th May - FOSTER CARER TRAINING DAY. 10am - 3.00pm. Greyhound Racing Victoria (46 - 50 Chetwynd St, West Melbourne). This is a closed event for foster carers only. If you are thinking about becoming a foster carer, you are welcome to attend as well. RSVP Friday 9th May - please phone Melanie on 5799 2909.

18th May - RSPCA MILLION PAWS WALK at Albert Park. Walk to start at 10am, meeting from 9am at the Carousal Cafe
(Melways ref. 2K G9) Everyone welcome! If you are running late or lost, please phone Steve on 0432 873 821.

18th May - Tootgarook Playgroup. 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Truemans Road Reserve, Truemans Rd, Rosebud West. Melways ref 169 E6. Everyone is welcome but only greyhounds are allowed to run on the track.

1st June - Park Orchards Playgroup. 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Stintons Reserve, Stintons Rd, Park Orchards. Melways ref 35 B8. Everyone is welcome but only greyhounds are allowed to run on the track.

8th June - Ballarat Playgroup. 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Ballarat Greyhound Track, Rubicon St, Ballarat. Everyone is welcome but only greyhounds are allowed to run on the track.

14th & 15th June - Petstock Open Day, South Morang. GAP display. Volunteers are needed for this event. If you would like to bring your greyhound along, please contact the GAP office.

15th June - Tootgarook Playgroup. 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Truemans Road Reserve, Truemans Rd, Rosebud West. Melways ref 169 E6. Everyone is welcome but only greyhounds are allowed to run on the track.

22nd June - GAP Property Open Day. Launch of the new facilities at GAP. This date is still to be confirmed - more details in the June newsletter.

28th June - GAP RACE NIGHT. The Meadows, Broadmeadows. More details in the June newsletter but keep this date free!

GREYHOUNDS AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) categorically denies providing any greyhounds to The University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary Science for use in the teaching of surgical procedures as insinuated in the article "Dogs Operated on then Killed" in the Sunday Herald Sun - Sunday April 13th, 2008.

For some five years now, greyhounds have been used at The University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital strictly as blood donors. This is the only registered blood clinic of its type in Australia and the blood products generated from these special dogs are used to save the lives of around 1,000 dogs each year. The lives saved include all breeds of dogs - not just greyhounds.

The greyhounds that act as blood donors are not provided by GRV, however a handful each year do come from our Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) to spend time being cared for by the students (similar to them being fostered by families prior to adoption).

The blood donor greyhounds are kept in very good conditions before returning to GAP to be adopted out as pets. The human contact and care provided by The University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital and their students allows for the greyhounds to get more familiar with day-to-day human interaction and living with other dogs; which helps them make the transition from racing and makes them a better pet in the long run.

The blood donor greyhounds that come from GAP have already undertaken GAP's regular temperament test and if they are deemed more likely to pass following a longer period of foster care and greater human contact, then The University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital allows them to gain the opportunity for a second chance.

GAP always has lots of fantastic greyhounds that are available for adoption. Each month we will choose one special dog to profile. But remember all of our dogs ready to adopt can be found on our website, just click on the link below to check out all of the dogs currently available. Tina, the greyhound featured in the last newsletter, has now found a home!

INBI
Inbi is a recent graduate of GAP's new Prison Pet Partnership Program. He is an active, exuberant dog who can be a little nervy at first. It doesn't take him long to settle in though! Inbi's a fun loving dog looking for a great time. He decided that cats are a bit too exciting to live with! Inbi enjoys the company of other dogs but he should also be OK as an only dog, as long as he can be involved in family activities. He's a real people dog and a pretty cruisy dude. Inbi can get a little startled by loud noises, so noisy toddlers would be a bit scary for him.

Oscar has sent us a note to say that he is very sorry but as he is off attending the GAP Management Conference in Brisbane this week he is unable to write a column for us. He is telling the other GAP groups about what a wonderful little test dog he was and how Stumpy is good, but not quite as good as him. Miles is jealous as he wants a holiday to Brisbane too, but Zephyr barely opened his eyes when Oscar told him of his trip. Beanie was so excited that he ran around and around and around in circles, but then he forgot why he was so happy so he just barked for a bit instead.

Dear Oscar
c/o GAP
PO Box 785
Seymour
VIC 3661

WHO SAYS A MATURE LADY LIVING IN AN APARTMENT CAN'T BE A FOSTER CARER?

Heaven forbid! Wouldn't a retired lady living in the salubrious surrounds of South Yarra have better things to do with her day than foster a greyhound? Apparently not it seems! The latte' and dog park set of the area all know Trish Pratt, who is sometimes referred to as "the dog lady" (this is taken by Trish as a backhanded sort of compliment).

Trish has appeared in several newspapers promoting GAP and anybody that lives in an apartment and has enquired about adopting a greyhound will have been told about Trish "the lady in South Yarra who lives in an apartment with no backyard". Many potential adoptees have also visited Trish's home to see how easily greyhounds can adapt to apartment lifestyles. Trish has been a very handy ally to GAP over the years and we're very grateful for her hospitality towards the many visitors we've sent to meet her and her foster dogs.

Trish graciously spared us some time, in between cooking some lamb shanks (for the dogs of course), to answer some questions.

When did you start fostering?
December 2003

What got you involved in fostering greyhounds?
Several years ago I saw a GAP display at the Guide Dog Open Day. I took a brochure but having a cat, I shelved the idea. After my cat died, I read of a GAP International Day at the Botanical Gardens. I observed the hounds behaviour, spoke to Larissa and decided to try my hand at fostering.

How many dogs would you foster each year?
10

Who was your first foster dog and what do you remember most about them?
Piper came to me in December. She was a great Christmas present and behaved beautifully. Everyone who met her loved her, especially young children.

Who was your most memorable foster dog and why?
Scooby - because of a previous adoption. He came to me and indicated when he needed to be let out. A calm and friendly dog and one everybody enjoyed meeting.

Who was your least memorable foster dog and why?
One who arrived, retreated to my bedroom and only emerged to eat and had to be leashed to get them outside. Definitely my least favourite dog!

What is it that you enjoy the most about fostering?
Apart from the pleasure of the company of these gentle hounds, helping them adjust to city living and hearing of their adoption gives me great satisfaction.

What is the worst part about fostering?
The first few days while I watch and worry about their behaviour and the last day when they are being returned.

You live in an apartment with no back yard. How do the dogs go living in this sort of environment?
Originally I took them out to the rear washing line area. We now have security gates at the front, so they can wander around with me overseeing their behaviour. Generally they adapt very easily.

How do your neighbours in the apartment block feel about having a greyhound around and what suggestions do you have for other people in apartments who are considering adopting or fostering?
Much to my astonishment, there have been no complaints. Quite a few of my neighbours like to stop and admire the dogs. I also have a neighbour who listens out for any sounds from the dog when I go out. You should always check first with your body corporate and canvas adjacent units. There should also be someone home to allow the dog out regularly to relieve itself.

You're currently fostering your 51st greyhound Tammy. Congratulations, this is a fantastic achievement! To what do you attribute your longevity as a foster carer?
My masochistic character!

Can you see yourself reaching 100 foster dogs?
NO!!!!!!!

Hi everyone at GAP,

I wanted to give you an update on my beautiful Chloe. I have finally been able to get pics of Chloe onto my memory stick. See attached and let me know what you think (I think she is gorgeous!).

BTW thanks heaps for the radio tip. I have been leaving the TV on while I go out and she is loving it. I haven't had any more digs (not that I care if she digs), but she seems to be doing other things now. I have given her a denta bite during the day yesterday and she spent almost all day chewing on it. I am happy about that because I want to look after her teeth. She loves her Kongs now too since I have been stuffing them with liver treats.

She is so excited to see me. Doesn't matter if it is when we wake up in the morning or when I get home from work, she just goes nuts with zoomies and kisses and playing. I am sooooo happy to have her with me. It is the best thing I could have done.

We went for a walk yesterday with Sarah, Pete, Fiesty and Sam. Had a great time, but Chloe was very tired when we got home. She had a quick bath then lay down and went to sleep for ages.

Anyway, I just wanted you to see her in her new home. She's wonderful!

Cheers - Ally & Chloe

A huge thank you to Bayer Australia and Advance for your continued support during 2008. With your assistance our hounds are parasite free and well fed!