Foster carer Trent with greyhound Minnie and Sophie
Fostering a greyhound through Hounds in Homes is a unique and rewarding experience. As a foster carer, you become the first loving family these dogs encounter after their racing careers. Transitioning from kennels to a home environment is a significant change for these greyhounds, and your role is pivotal in helping them adjust to their new lives as pets.
The Journey from Racer to Pet
When you welcome a greyhound into your home, you're guiding them through a series of firsts. These dogs, who have spent their lives in kennels, need to learn the basics of being a pet. This may include and not limited to:
Toilet Training:Â Greyhounds may need to learn where and when to relieve themselves in a home setting - greyhounds are naturally very clean animals so they may already know to only go outside.
Walking on a Leash:Â Teaching them to walk calmly on a leash is essential for their daily exercise and safety.
Navigating Stairs:Â Many greyhounds have never encountered stairs and will need patience and guidance to learn how to use them.
Socialisation:Â Introducing them to other breeds of dogs, and sometimes other pets, helps them become well-rounded and adaptable.
Understanding Their Personalities
Every greyhound has a unique personality and set of needs. As a foster carer, you'll get to know your foster dog's temperament and preferences. This includes:
Household Compatibility:Â Determining if they thrive in a quiet home or if they can handle the hustle and bustle of a family with children.
Dog Interactions:Â Assessing whether they get along well with other dogs or if they prefer to be the only pet.
Resource Guarding:Â Observing if they show signs of guarding food or toys and working to mitigate these behaviours.
Prey Drive: Understanding whether they have prey drive is crucial, as it determines their compatibility with smaller pets and influences their behaviour during walks and outdoor activities
The Impact of Your Role
The role of a foster carer is incredibly important. You are quite literally saving a life and giving these greyhounds a second chance to become cherished family pets. Your efforts help them adjust to a home environment, making them more adoptable and ensuring they find the perfect forever family.
Duration of Fostering
There is no set time frame for how long a greyhound will stay in foster care. It all depends on the individual dog's readiness and when a suitable family is found. This period could be as short as eight weeks or as long as six to twelve months. The goal is to ensure that each greyhound is fully prepared for their new life.
Becoming a Foster Carer
Hounds in Homes is always in need of dedicated foster carers. If you think you have the love, patience, and commitment to change the life of a greyhound, we encourage you to reach out. By becoming a foster carer, you're making a profound difference in the lives of these amazing dogs.
At Hounds in Homes, we provide foster carers with everything they need to get started:
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Martingale Collar/harness
Lead
Muzzle
Dry food
Bowls (if needed)
Bedding (if needed)
Information pack - including information on the NSW protocol regarding muzzles and expectations of a greyhound foster carer
For more information and to fill out a foster carer form, please contact us. Together, we can give greyhounds the loving homes they deserve.
Great info!