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Foster Care

Fill the GAP!

It can be a very daunting time for a Greyhound when they first enter retirement life and many of the dogs which come into our care need some extra help in a home environment before they’re ready for their fur-ever homes. This is where our Foster Care team come in! We have a dedicated group of volunteers all over the state who regularly foster a greyhound in their home for a few weeks, helping to Fill the GAP between racing and pet life.

Please note: We require volunteers to be at least 18 years old. If you are not 18, please have a parent/guardian complete the volunteer application form and attend the information session with you.

We have two types of foster care available; general foster caring and medical foster caring. See below for more details on both.

We are currently seeking foster care applications where your home either has:

  • no other pets at the home,
  • a courtyard,
  • backyard or
  • a medium to large breed pet dog.

We are very fortunate at present as we have currently filled all our requirements for foster applications where your home includes a cat, a small dog or you live in an apartment.

Click here to apply to become a foster carer.

In this series of videos, veteran fosterer – 3AW’s Kate Stevenson – talks about the practical things you can do to make your foster experience positive, for you and the greyhound.

GAP Volunteer and Fostering Coordinator Rose Streatfeild explains why some former racing greyhounds benefit from fostering before adoption, how GAP supports the fosterer.

GAP Foster Care Info Session from Wednesday 13th April 2022.

What is required to be a General Foster Carer?

  • Foster Care assignments are generally for a period of three weeks. GAP provide food, muzzle, snuggly coat, and lead. Carers provide an old blanket or mat for sleeping, and some toys to play with (even empty soft drink bottles or cardboard boxes).
  • Volunteers need to agree and sign our Volunteer and Foster Care Agreements, which are available to view and download on the application page.
  • We prefer carers to have at least a small outside space, with secure fencing, and a shaded area. Some carers in apartments are appropriate if someone is home during the day to toilet the dog. Otherwise, it is not necessary to be home all day to be a foster carer.
  • We require a variety of family situations for different foster dogs – carers with children of different ages; carers with cats; carers with other dogs of different sexes and breeds; and plenty of carers with no other pets or children. We match each dog to the most appropriate care home.
  • Carers are asked to provide 1-2 short walks a day of up to 20 minutes, preferably in an area where dogs of other breeds (with leads on) can be observed by the Greyhound at a distance, then gradually closer if the dog behaves calmly. Some basic grooming and dog massage or cuddles, and practice on stairs, is always appreciated.
  • Every Greyhound is completely different – it’s not unusual for some foster dogs to seem a bit aloof or unsocial at first. Remember – this is all new to them: stairs, laminate floors, carpets, other pets, and kids. Once they adjust their personalities will start to emerge!
  • Foster dogs must always be muzzled and on leash when off your private property.
  • Please see link below to role description for further details

What is required to be a Medical Foster Carer?

  • Medical Foster Care assignments vary in timing and could range from two weeks to six weeks or required time of recovery. GAP provide food, muzzle, snuggly coat, and lead. Carers provide an old blanket or mat for sleeping, and some toys to play with (even empty soft drink bottles or cardboard boxes).
  • Medical Foster Carers provide essential medical care for the greyhound to assist in its recovery to full health.
  • Volunteers need to agree and sign our Volunteer and Foster Care Agreements, which are available to view and download on the application page.
  • Provide all immediate needs of a Greyhound under your care including general care such as feeding, walking (if appropriate), socialising, grooming and training
  • Provide and be comfortable to do specific medical care as per the greyhound’s care plan (training provided). Tasks could include but are not limited to:
    • Bandage of tail
    • Bandage of foot/toes
    • Treat basic wounds/cleaning and giving medication
    • Administer medications orally
    • Subcutaneous injections (optional)
    • Fill in medical treatment chart
    • Record vital signs (optional)
    • Able to medicate eyes and ears
  • Be willing to potentially make trips using your own transport to our vets either in Seymour or Albert Park to monitor greyhound’s recovery. Sometimes these can be as regular as once a week. The vet costs incurred at Albert Park will be covered by GAP.
  • Collect and return Greyhounds to our kennel locations (Seymour, or Tullamarine) using your own transport, or at scheduled collection times at Sandown Greyhound Racing Clubs. Pick up and drop offs are always by prearrangement.
  • Attend initial volunteer induction, specific medical first aid training and any scheduled training sessions either with or without your greyhound, as part of your training plan
  • Please see link below to role description for further details

How many dogs do I need to foster?

Foster Carers are volunteers who work with multiple greyhounds for short periods at a time. Whilst there is no specific number you’re required to foster, it’s a great support to GAP if you can care for 3-4 greyhounds in a year (each for three weeks). Some of the greyhounds our carers work with may already have a permanent home waiting, so if you think you’re looking to adopt, fill in an adoption application and our team will contact you. All GAP adoptions begin with a trial period to ensure your Greyhounds fits into your home and family.

Do I receive any training?

New volunteers need to attend a face-to-face induction and training session at GAP where you learn about the basics of foster caring. These sessions are 3 hours long and volunteers can sign up for the next session that suits their availability. You also receive a copy of our foster care manual, and we hold some skills sessions throughout the year on different topics relating to greyhound behaviour and care.

How do I get my foster dogs?

GAP currently hold weekly Foster Care swaps at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club (Springvale) on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s by appointment. Fosters may also be collected from GAP Seymour and GAP Tullamarine by appointment.

What if something goes wrong?

Carers have access to a 24-hour after hours phone number in the case of any accidents or vet care required, which is covered by GAP. A dog may be returned if they prove unsuitable for your home – this is why we foster, so don’t worry! Carers also have support from peers on our Facebook group and experienced carers who offer mentorship to new volunteers.

What’s in it for me?!

  • Foster Caring can sometimes be a challenge but it is also hugely rewarding, especially when you find out a dog you have fostered has been adopted into their new family!
  • There are rewards based incentives for our foster carers – the more dogs you foster, the more rewards you get!
  • At GAP, we know how to treasure our volunteers. We hold fun, free events throughout the year for all our volunteers!

JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY

Click here to help Fill the GAP as a Foster Carer.

Click here to view the Foster Carer Role Description.

Click here to view the Medical Foster Carer Role Description.

Click here to view the Foster Carer Agreement.

Click here to view the Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct.

For further details, please contact us at fostercare@grv.org.au.