Written by
26 August 2026
1
min read
Meet the Team: Maria
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For Maria, helping greyhounds find loving homes is all about bringing the right people and hounds together.
As GAP’s Foster and Volunteer Coordinator, Maria works closely with the wonderful community of foster carers and volunteers who play an important role in preparing greyhounds for pet life. From matching greyhounds with foster homes and supporting carers throughout their foster journey, to welcoming new volunteers and working with participants in our Prison Partnership Program, there are plenty of moving parts to keep her busy.
Before joining GAP, Maria spent years working as a dog groomer. Looking for a change that would allow her to combine her passion for dogs with her love of working with people, she spotted an advertisement for a Volunteer Coordinator and decided to give it a go.
At the time, Maria admits she didn’t know much about greyhounds beyond the fact that they could run very fast. These days, she jokingly considers herself something of a “greyhound bible”, and her love of the breed has made its way home too. Maria adopted her own GAP greyhound, the brilliantly named Long Face Jase, who shares his home with her affectionate Jack Russell Terrier.
What Maria loves most is that no two greyhounds are quite the same. From energetic zoomie enthusiasts to dedicated couch potatoes and everything in between, it’s their individual personalities that make the breed so special.
We caught up with Maria to learn more about life behind the scenes in GAP’s foster program, her unlikely pair of four legged friends and why watching a greyhound flourish in foster care can leave a special paw print on your heart.
What's your name and what's your role at GAP?
I’m Maria, the Foster and Volunteer Coordinator at GAP.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
A typical week consists of matching foster dogs with our foster carers, checking in with carers who currently have greyhounds in their care, inducting volunteers and welcoming corporate volunteer groups.
I also check in on our prison dogs who are part of the Prison Partnership Program.
What first brought you to GAP?
I saw an advertisement online looking for a Volunteer Coordinator.
After years of dog grooming, I wanted to take my passion for dogs into a role where I could be more interactive with people. That’s what made me apply for the role.
Did you know much about greyhounds before working here? Has that changed?
I didn’t know anything about greyhounds except for how fast they were!
Now I feel like I’m a greyhound bible for anyone who has questions about them. Haha!
What's your favourite thing about greyhounds as a breed?
I love their temperaments. They can be crazy and full of zoomies, quiet and lazy, or anything in between!
Do you have a greyhound or other pet of your own?
I do have a greyhound. His name is Long Face Jase and I adopted him through GAP.
He’s a lazy boy who loves to sleep all day. I also have a Jack Russell Terrier who is very affectionate.
They get along so well. It’s quite an unlikely pairing, but it works!
Is there a particular greyhound, past or present, who's left a mark on you?
Not one in particular, but every now and then we have a few greyhounds come through the foster department who leave a special paw print on your heart.
Seeing them before and after foster care, and the progress they make along the way, is quite special.
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Helping greyhounds find their forever homes.
What's a funny, surprising or heartwarming moment you've had on the job?
For me, it’s the overwhelming amount of support from GAP staff across all departments.
Everyone really comes together to help all the greyhounds in our care, and it’s incredible to be a part of.
What's one thing you wish more people knew about greyhounds or the adoption process?
There’s often a misconception about how much exercise greyhounds need.
They truly are happy to lounge around and do nothing most of the time!
Coffee or tea? Morning person or night owl?
Tea, and definitely a night owl.
If you were a greyhound, what would your name be and why?
Silly Goose, because I can be a little forgetful and silly at times!

Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.

Hazel

Aria

Ollie

Murphy ARP
Murphyis a handsome, laid-back boy with a sweet and affectionate nature. Murphy is friendly and personable, he enjoys spending time with people. Murphy loves food, and is very food motivated, treats are sure to be the quickest way to win him over. Murphy may be suitable to live as an only dog or may be suitable to live with medium or large dogs. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 10 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.

George
Crippa

Scooby

Sonny ARP
Sonny is a most dashing and spirited gentleman of the greyhound world. Handsome, charming, and impossible to ignore, Sonny carries himself with the confidence of a true gentleman while still embracing a delightfully puppyish enthusiasm for life. Friendly and outgoing, he seeks connection with eager eye contact and a desire to please that is most endearing. Known to be quite the conversationalist, Sonny enjoys "speaking his mind" with cheerful chatter, all while his signature waggy "helicopter" tail ensures no entrance goes unnoticed.
With his lively and excitable nature, Sonny would be best suited to a home that can indulge his active spirit and zest for play. His enthusiasm can make him a little erratic on the lead at times, but with guidance and patience, he will shine as the perfect companion. Sonny may suit living with or without a canine friend of similar size and would do well with children aged 10 years and older. A home with a backyard would suit him splendidly, offering the space he needs to frolic and burn off his boundless energy.
Sonny 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 no other dogs currently in our care.

Xandi ARP
Sweet Xandi is a pretty and gentle soul who is looking for a patient, understanding home where she can build her confidence at her own pace. Having previously lived inside and even enjoyed sleeping on her owner's bed, she is familiar with home life and appreciates the comfort and security of being close to her people. Quiet, sweet and personable, Xandi is easy to handle and forms lovely connections through soft eye contact and her affectionate nature. While she can be timid and a little anxious in new situations, she always tries her best and responds beautifully to kindness and reassurance.
As an introverted and submissive girl, Xandi will likely take a few days to come out of her shell in a new environment, but once she feels safe, her loving personality begins to shine through. She would thrive with an owner who can give her the time, patience and encouragement she needs to settle in and feel secure. Xandi may suit living with or without a canine companion of any size and could be well suited to a home with children aged 15 years and older who can respect her gentle and sensitive nature.
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.

Eddie ARP
Lovely black Eddie is a calm and easy-going gentleman who takes everything in his stride. Quiet, sweet and laidback, he has a friendly and confident nature that makes him a pleasure to be around. Having previously lived inside a home, Eddie is familiar with household life and is ready to settle into his next chapter with ease. He enjoys spending time with his people and has a personable charm that helps him make friends wherever he goes. With his gentle temperament and relaxed outlook, Eddie would make a wonderful companion for a variety of homes. Whether joining you for a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing by your side, he is happiest when sharing life's everyday moments with those he loves. Eddie may suit living with or without a canine friend of a similar size and could be a lovely addition to a family with children aged 5 years and older.
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.



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