From Track to Home: Part 2: Settling In at GAP – Health, Care & Getting to Know Them
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at what retirement means for a racing greyhound and why it’s the first step on the road to adoption.
In Part 2, we’re taking you behind the scenes at GAP, to show you exactly what happens once a greyhound comes into our care, from their very first health check through to the personality profile you’ll eventually read on our website.
Arrival and initial health checks
The moment a greyhound arrives at GAP, our focus is on making sure they’re happy, healthy, and comfortable. Every dog receives a full veterinary health check, which includes a general physical examination, dental check, and assessment of their overall body condition. Greyhounds are also vaccinated, microchipped, wormed, and desexed (if this hasn’t already happened) as part of our standard process before they’re made available for adoption. Because racing greyhounds can occasionally carry old injuries from their athletic careers, things like a previous hock injury, for example – our team also looks closely at mobility and movement, noting anything an adopter should be aware of down the track. This is also when we identify if a dog might benefit from things like joint supplements or ongoing vet monitoring in their new home.
Getting to know who they really are
Once the health basics are taken care of, the real work of getting to know each individual dog begins. Every greyhound has their own personality, and our team spends time observing each dog to understand their energy levels, temperament, and quirks – are they a confident, treat-loving extrovert, or a quieter soul who prefers to watch the world go by from a comfy bed? We pay close attention to how each dog responds to everyday situations: how they react to other dogs, whether they show any interest in cats or small animals, how they cope with children, and whether they seem suited to apartment living or need a backyard to stretch their legs in. Some greyhounds also take part in our Behavioural Rehabilitation Program, where they receive extra training and support to help them feel confident and settled before heading into a home.
The role of foster care
For many greyhounds, this stage of the journey includes their very first experience of life inside a home, thanks to GAP’s wonderful network of foster carers. Foster homes give our team invaluable insight into how a dog behaves in a genuine domestic environment – things that are hard to observe in a kennel setting, like how they settle at night, how they respond to household noises, or how they get on with resident pets. Foster carers play an enormous role in shaping the detailed, honest profiles you see on our website. When you read about a dog being “crate trained,” “confident on stairs,” or having “a playful, puppyish energy,” that’s often information that’s come directly from time spent in foster care.
Why we do it this way
All of this – the health checks, the behavioural observations, the time in foster care – exists for one reason: so that when you read a GAP dog profile, you’re getting an honest, detailed picture of who that dog really is, not just a generic description. It’s also how we’re able to make thoughtful matches between dogs and adopters, which is exactly what we’ll cover in Part 3 of this series.
Previously: Part 1 – Retirement: A Well-Earned Next Chapter | Next: Part 3 – Finding Their Perfect Match: Welcome Home
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Tiger
Maui
Audrea
Indy ARP
Indy is a pretty girl with a gentle, easy-going nature that makes her a pleasure to be around. Quiet, calm and polite, she is sweet, friendly and affectionate, with a lovely habit of seeking eye contact and looking to her people for guidance. Confident without being over-the-top, Indy is easy to handle, walks nicely on lead and is always eager to please.
While Indy enjoys canine company, she prefers polite and placid dogs who respect her space, particularly male dogs. She is not a fan of boisterous dogs rushing up to her and may also be perfectly happy as the only dog in the home. Indy may suit a family with children aged 10 years and older who can appreciate her gentle nature. With her kind heart, good manners and loving personality, Indy is sure to make a wonderful companion.
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.
Chief ARP
Chief is a handsome, solidly built boy with striking light-coloured eyes and a personality to match. Friendly, outgoing and full of confidence, he loves meeting new people and is always happy to make new friends, especially if treats are involved! Chief is a personable lad who enjoys being part of the action and brings plenty of charm wherever he goes. One of Chief's most entertaining quirks is his hilarious response to being patted down his back, his tail pops up momentarily, a talent that had staff in fits of laughter! With his affectionate nature and easy-going attitude, Chief may suit a home with or without a canine companion of a similar size and is likely to do well with children aged 10 years and older. This lovely boy is sure to bring plenty of fun, companionship and smiles to his future family.
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.
Boysenberry ARP
Boysenberry is a beautiful girl with a lovely soft coat and an even lovelier personality. Sweet, friendly, affectionate and full of confidence, she adores people and is always ready to share her enthusiasm with those around her. An outgoing extrovert, Boysenberry loves attention and has a charming habit of jumping up for cuddles whenever the opportunity arises. She has some experience in a home, is toilet trained, can confidently manage stairs, and even knows how to shake hands on command before receiving her dinner.
Active and personable, Boysenberry would thrive in a home with a secure backyard where she can run, play and enjoy family life. She will likely suit a home with or without a canine companion of a similar size and is expected to do well with children aged 10 years and older. With her affectionate nature and fun-loving spirit, Boysenberry is ready to become a much-loved member of a lucky family.
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.
Ruffus ARP
Ruffus is a sweet, friendly boy with a happy waggy tail and a big personality to match. Outgoing, confident, and affectionate, he loves treats, seeks eye contact, and is always keen to please his people. With his puppyish enthusiasm, playful nature, and quirky charm, Ruffus is sure to keep you smiling. He's a good traveller and a wonderfully goofy boy who enjoys being part of the action. Ruffus may be suited to a home on his own or may be suitable to live with robust small, medium, or large dogs. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 10 years and older.
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.
Little Man
George
Hercules