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 and a resident of Victoria, Australia
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.
- We ask that our carers be available to foster at least two dogs per year.
- Applicants to be a carer must have access to a car at all times. Either personally owned or the family car.
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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Hercules
Cowboy
Crippa
Brasi
Atom ARP
Atom is a stunning blue boy who is the sweetest, friendly, and affectionate boy you'll ever meet! He has his bags packed and can't wait for his forever home. Atom may suit living in a home with or without another medium or large canine companion and children aged 10 years and over. He may even suit living with full time workers, and should fit into most households easily.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.
If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Yaku
Marlowe
Nebbi ARP
Nebbi is a truly stunning greyhound with a gentle soul and a quiet, thoughtful nature. Polite, sensible, and incredibly sweet, she prefers to take her time getting to know new people and can be anxious or timid in unfamiliar situations. She often seeks reassurance through soft eye contact and, while she can be touch-sensitive and a little tense at first, she tries her very best. Beneath her cautious exterior is a lovely companion waiting to blossom with someone who understands her need for patience and kindness.Once Nebbi feels safe and trusts her people, she warms up quickly and begins to enjoy affection and companionship. She is looking for a calm, understanding home where she can continue to build her confidence, either as an only dog or alongside a respectful canine friend of any size or breed. Nebbi may also suit a family with considerate children aged 10 years and older. For the right person, this drop-dead gorgeous girl will be a rewarding and deeply devoted companion who simply needs a little time to let her beautiful personality shine.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Chad ARP
Chad is a handsome, confident greyhound with a heart as big as he is! Friendly, outgoing, and full of personality, this sweet boy loves being around people and will happily come when called. His adorable ears and striking light-coloured eyes make him impossible to resist. Chad may be happiest as an only dog or could potentially share his home with a medium to large canine companion. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 10 years and over.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Penny