Ruth
Ruth has joined GAP at our Tullamarine kennels through enrichment volunteering, she’s fostered a few GAP greys, and is always ready to handle a hound at our adoption events.
She’s a friendly face at Tullamarine, always ensuring our hounds get a nice walk in the sunshine every time she’s around.
Ruth has joined GAP at our Tullamarine kennels through enrichment volunteering, she’s fostered a few GAP greys, and is always ready to handle a hound at our adoption events. She’s a friendly face at Tullamarine, always ensuring our hounds get a nice walk in the sunshine every time she’s around.
What’s your name, how do you volunteer with GAP, and when did you first start volunteering with us?
RUTH BIRD - Enrichment and Foster
What made you decide to become a GAP volunteer?
During Covid, a friend of mine adopted a Greyhound from GAP. Her name was ABBY and she has a nose that twitches independently from the rest of her snout! It is so funny. Anyway, I fell in love with this strange breed there and then. I'd never met one before and found them the most loving, quirky, funny, adorable hounds I'd ever met. I wanted to be around them as much as I could, but didn't feel ready to adopt one myself. Volunteering for GAP was a happy medium as I got to hang out with snoots all day long any time I wanted and it was free:)! What could be better?
What’s your favourite part of being a GAP volunteer?
My favourite part of Volunteering is the snoots of course. They deliver a dose of happiness everytime you see them. And they are always so happy to see you. The joy I get from being able to play, groom, snuggle, walk and kiss....the snoots, is the best and I hope they feel the same. I also love grooming them when I can and get their lovely coats to a nice glossy sheen. Which can be a challenge as they are often very furry:) I really enjoy being able to bring a bit of enrichment and love to their days, as they can be long in the kennels and they all deserve so much love and care. I wish I could get to them all.
What’s your best story or memory from your time volunteering with us?
I have so many best stories from Vollying with GAP, it is impossible to choose!. I have also taken on fostering occasionally and I do have some funny tales from that. Some which I maybe shouldn't share (I'm probably not the best foster carer...I'm too soft and I can't help it if they like couches). But in terms of being an Enrichment Volly, I really enjoy meeting the personalities of all the dogs, as they are just so different. From boisterous, goofy, charming, quiet, shy, boofy, silly, soft, loving, and playful, I love to try and be the best version of me for the dog I am working with and connecting with the dog, even if it is just for a limited time.
One story at Tulla, I was in one of the kennels with a lovely black boy, and he was really quiet and on his bed. It was after meal time and he was resting. He let me lie next to him and I just recall stroking his head and belly. Everytime I would stop, he'd give me a little nudge to keep going, as they do, and me being a sucker, kept going. It turned late and after a while I heard one of the kennel attendants tell another that I was in with (I forget his name) and that I was probably alright just to stay there even though Volly hours were over. I felt good, for one, I got to spend longer being with a lovely calm snoot and giving him some touch/quiet time, and two, GAP trusted me to stay, as long as I didn't fall asleep in there with him.
What’s your best story or memory from your time volunteering with us?
Vollying with GAP is so rewarding. I do it as much for the dogs, as my own well being. If you've been thinking about it, why not try. There is no set time commitment as you can call your hours. Any little bit helps in giving a loving soul some much needed love and care. I'd say you'd probably want to have an affinity with dogs to start, and if you've never met a greyhound or have a preconceived idea of what a greyhound would be like, enjoy having your mind blown! They will win you over in no time with their beautiful personalities. You will only be rewarded with love of the most gentle beings. And the volly managers are great too. They will look after you.
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Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.

Jacko ARP

Jacko's dream is to be in a home witha family that can include him all of their activities; he is up for camping,going to the café, beer garden, local markets, you name it! He loves nothingmore than human attention and affection. He may suit living with another dog ofsimilar size or if living as an only dog may need to have some training earlyon to learn to be home alone. He may suit living with children aged 10 yearsand older.

Boppy ARP

Are you ready to get Boppy!! Cause this sweet girl is ready to take on life with her own family and show them what having fun is all about. Boppy is an affectionate and happy girl that thinks life is GREAT! She cant wait to have many adventures in her new home with possibly some side kicks (children 10 and over) or just a fun loving owner that is wanting to get out and about and “Bop” around. We also think she may suit living with another medium or larger male dog companion and full time workers.

Cleopatra



Wendy




Wendy-Lou ARP



Wendy Lou is just the sweetest, loveliest girl who you will ever meet! She is super sweet, friendly, and personable, and a dream to be around. She may suit living with an older owner or in an apartment. She might be happy living with full-time workers and children aged 5 years and over.

Zoom ARP

How adorable is Zoom? She is a lovely, quiet and sweet girl who thinks the world is a bit of a scary place. She will be looking for someone special who can show her the way and help her to build her confidence. She really tries hard to please so we think she will flower into a lovely dog. Zoom might be best suited to a quieter home with no children, however she may suit full time workers.

Mitch



Hunter




Esmeralda


Zelda ARP

