How do I place my greyhound into the Adoption Program?
Please fill out an application form or phone GAP on (03) 5799 2909 so that your greyhound may be placed onto the waiting list.

Is there a limit on how many dogs I can place on the waiting list?
Yes. To be fair to all owners of racing greyhounds, we limit the number placed on our waiting list by any one owner to be four dogs at any one time.

How long is the waiting time once my greyhound goes onto the waiting list?
This will vary, but it is generally around six to eight months. We always have more greyhounds available to us than foster homes or permanent homes. We can only hold limited numbers of dogs at any one time and are unable to take dogs in at short notice. Greyhounds can often get into GAP more quickly if they meet either of the following criteria:
1. They have been taken to the GAP kennels at Seymour for a 'cat test' and have been passed by GAP staff. Cat tests can be arranged by calling the GAP office on (03) 5799 2909 and are undertaken on week days only.
2. They have had 100 or more race starts.
If your greyhound meets either of the above criteria then the wait to get the greyhound into GAP will generally be between two and six weeks.

When is the best time to put my dog onto the GAP waiting list?
Because of the unavoidable time delay, we encourage owners/trainers to put their greyhound onto the waiting list well before the dog retires from the track. It is generally a good idea to place your dog onto the list at around six months of age.

What if my greyhound is on the GAP waiting list and I change my mind?
No problems! If you find an alternative home for the dog before GAP can take it in, or if you decide to keep the dog for breeding etc, we would appreciate a call to let us know that this greyhound is no longer available so that we can then take it off our list. You may place another greyhound into that particular spot on the waiting list if you like. If we call you to advise that we are up to your spot, and you are not yet ready for the dog to go, that’s fine too. Your dog will simply remain at the top of the waiting list. When you call to advise that the dog is now ready to enter GAP, the longest you may have to wait is around four weeks.

Will GAP take on any greyhound?
The minimum age that GAP will accept into the Program is eight months, and we have no upper age limit. We require each dog that enters GAP to be physically sound and without medical problems (eg. pannus, ongoing lameness) that would lead to ongoing veterinary costs for the adoptive owner. All greyhounds must possess an even temperament (ie. not aggressive or extremely timid) and be sociable in the presence of other dog breeds. The majority of dogs rehomed by GAP will go to family homes in suburban or inner city areas, often with other pets, and must be able to walk with their owners around local streets and parks without difficulty. Greyhounds adopted by GAP in Victoria are not required to be muzzled in public. Because of this, every greyhound we adopt must be safe around small, fluffy dogs (eg. Maltese Terriers, Pomeranians) by the time it is ready for adoption.

What happens when my greyhound is ready to be taken in by GAP?
When GAP is able to offer a place in the Program, we will contact you and arrange for you to deliver the dog to us. You must be able to transport the greyhound to any of our three collection points (Sandown, the Meadows or GAP in Seymour). We ask for a number of items to accompany the dog: a well fitting wire muzzle, a current C5 vaccination certificate that has not passed the due date, the dog's registration papers and the weight card (if applicable). We will ask you to sign some paperwork transferring possession of the dog over to GAP. If a bitch has not had a natural season (oestrus) since retiring, or is due to come into season in the near future, we usually ask that a hormone injection is administered 10-14 days before arriving, to prevent her coming into season while she is in foster care. If you have your bitch on season prevention medication, we ask that you continue to give this to the dog right up until the time she enters GAP. We are unable to accommodate bitches in season. On arrival, your dog will undergo a general health check, be assessed with small dogs and cats, and receive parasite preventative. Dogs that satisfy our assessment process are then desexed and have their teeth cleaned. After recovery from their surgery procedures the dog will then be placed in one (or possibly two) foster homes for further assessment as to their suitability as a pet. The Greyhound is introduced to general household activities and its behaviour around people, especially children, and other animals is assessed. If we judge your Greyhound to be unsuitable for rehoming, it will be returned to you (if requested) or humanely euthanaised. After foster care the greyhound will return to GAP and be matched with a person or family applying to adopt a Greyhound as a pet.

How does GAP 'de-program' greyhounds so that they will no longer chase?
Unfortunately the perception that we can de-program these dogs from wanting to chase moving objects is not true. We are not magicians. We cannot overcome thousands of years of breed history and months or years of race training in a few short weeks in foster care. However, there is a huge range of chasing instinct (or prey drive) within the Greyhound breed. For example, some Greyhounds are terrified of cats at first. Others are not so friendly with cats. It is our job, on acquiring a new dog, to assess whereabouts in this range the dog lies. Cat-friendly Greyhounds are generally very easy for us to rehome. A Greyhound that is not safe around small dogs will fail our assessment and not be made available for adoption.

What can I do to assist my greyhounds transition from racing dog to family pet?
There are a number of things you can do to ease your Greyhound's transition into a pet lifestyle before it is taken in by GAP. These might include:

• Get the dog used to spending time loose in the back yard - pet homes do not generally have kennels and runs.
  
• Get the dog walking nicely on lead by your side.
  
• Introduce him or her to strange people & particularly children under supervision.
  
• Take him or her out on street walks to different places - to the park; past the local school or shopping centre; beside busy roads, etc.
  
• Bring him or her into the house for short periods.
  
• Introduce him or her to stairs and slippery floor surfaces like tiles, linoleum or polished floorboards.
  
• Introduce him or her to other animals under controlled circumstances - other dog breeds, horses, caged birds, poultry etc.
  
• Decrease his exercise requirements. Most adoptive homes will not get up at 4.30am to walk the greyhound, so start getting the greyhound ready for this.
  
• Get as much weight onto your greyhound as possible. The greyhounds going through GAP can be quite stressed at times, and can lose weight. The fatter they are to start with, the better.
  
  Once rehomed, can I make contact with my former racing greyhounds new owners?
  Because of privacy legislation, we can only pass on other people's contact details if they have given permission for us to do so. Many, but not all, adoptive families are curious about their Greyhound's former life and success (or otherwise) on the track. Many people like to read about their new dogs racing history and receive race photos etc. If you are happy to have contact with your greyhound's new owners, and if they wish to, we will provide your contact details to the adoptive family, so they can get in touch.
  
  If you have read the above, and believe that you may have a greyhound/greyhounds suitable of becoming a greyhound family pet, please proceed by completing the Application to Enter your Greyhound into the Greyhound Adoption Program. This form will instantly let us know of your need to have a greyhound/greyhounds put onto the program. It will also give us details so that we may contact you.