General Foster Carer
Foster care is a rewarding way to help greyhounds begin their journey towards finding a forever home. It’s a short term commitment and you’ll receive all the essentials and support you need from 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.
What’s required?
GAP provide food, muzzle, snuggly coat, martingale collar, and lead. Carers provide a cosy bed 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.
Other points to note:
- Foster Care assignments are generally for a period of four weeks. GAP provide food, muzzle, martingale collar, snuggly coat, and lead. Carers provide a cosy bed for sleeping, and some toys to play with (even empty soft drink bottles or cardboard boxes).
- General foster carers will foster a range of dogs from those needing a break from kennels to dogs needing some additional behaviour work with other dogs or within the home.
- 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.
Why Foster
Fostering a greyhound is a rewarding experience that helps newly retired greyhounds adjust to family life and families adjust to being pet owners. If you’re unsure whether a greyhound is the right fit for you, fostering is the perfect way to find out!
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!
At GAP, we know how to treasure our volunteers. We hold fun, free events throughout the year for all our volunteers!
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Jake Peralta
Taylah ARP
Meet Taylah. Taylah is a sweet, playful, and very puppyish greyhound with a quirky personality that makes her stand out. She loves her treats, is eager to please, and proudly shows off her adorable skills — Taylah naturally knows how to sit and even offers her paw, which is as cute as it sounds.
With the most beautiful eyes and a cute little face, Taylah has a way of winning hearts without even trying. She’s affectionate, fun-loving, and brings plenty of joy and personality into the home.
Taylah may suit living with medium or large dogs and may also suit a home with children aged 10+. She’s ready to become someone’s very special girl.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Willow ARP
We promise she has ears! Willow is a sweet little girl that can be a little unsure in new environments and will need a quiet and understanding new home to let her settle in. Once she is comfortable, we are sure a cheeky and playful little pup will emerge. Due to this, a home with a backyard and older children if any may be a better fit for her. She may even like the company of another male canine companion to help show her the world, as long as they are calm and respectful whilst she is adjusting. We think the best is yet to come with dear Willow and will make someone super pleased to have her in their life.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP).We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Rocky
Nero
Marley ARP
Are you looking for a mature greyhound who may be happy to live with a smaller dog? Marley might be your lady! She is super sweet, friendly, and outgoing, and has all the love to give. Marley may be happiest in a home with children 10 years and over and might suit living with full time workers.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Poppy ARP
This is Poppy! Poppy is only a young girl, but we are happy to say that she has had some experience into pet life and she is toilet trained. Poppy can be a bit of an introvert and is not a big fan of people or dogs crowding her or in her face. She is friendly though to people that she trusts and knows.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Craig
Mr D ARP
Hi! I’m Mr D! What’s that you say!? I’m handsome? Well, there is so much more to love about me than my handsome looks but ill point out my shiny coat, awesome pointy ears and a tail that winds up like a helicopter but most importantly I am a real sweet, friendly and fun boy that is always up for an adventure. I think I might be ok to live with children 10 and over or maybe even another medium or larger play buddy!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP).We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Jackson ARP
When you meet Jackson, you would think he is just a big goofy puppy! But once he gets his excitement out of the way he settles down and is a chilled boy, takes everything in his stride. Jackson may suit living with or without a robust canine friend of any size and children aged 10 years and older. He may do best in a home with a backyard to get his energy out of his system!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.