Hounds seek new homes

PERFECT PET: George the greyhound is taking part in the Greyhound Adoption Program SA's Foster To Adopt program thanks to owners Lee and Steve Bartholomew and their grandchildren Paige Hicks, Cameryn and Koby Bartholomew.
PERFECT PET: George the greyhound is taking part in the Greyhound Adoption Program SA’s Foster To Adopt program thanks to owners Lee and Steve Bartholomew and their grandchildren Paige Hicks, Cameryn and Koby Bartholomew.

FROM racing to retirement the Greyhound Adoption Program SA (GAP SA) is helping turn hounds into house pets with its You. Me. 6 Weeks and Foster To Adopt programs.

On the lookout for foster carers in the South East, GAP SA will visit the region next week to meet with program stakeholders.

GAP supervisor Helen Hughes said discussions will include what is needed to become a foster carer.

“The more foster carers we have, the sooner the greyhounds are placed into their forever homes,” she said.

“There are many greyhounds that need new homes, but not enough foster families to get them to that stage.”

There are two types of foster caring opportunities for families You. Me. 6 Weeks and Foster To Adopt.

You. Me. 6 Weeks involves taking a greyhound into your home for a period of around six weeks.

The greyhound will need help to learn the house rules and behaviours that are desirable in a domestic pet.

Foster To Adopt is the ideal opportunity for families to get to know their prospective pet before making the decision to adopt them.

They will go through a similar process, but instead of being adopted out they stay with their foster families for good.

GAP SA provides foster carers with a foster kit, comprising dog bed, bowl, winter coat, training jacket, muzzle, lead and collar, dry and wet food, a dog toy and a weekly allowance.

In addition to fostering, volunteers are also needed to help with greyhound assessments, including small dogs to help with the socialisation of potential foster pets.

Foster carer and greyhound trainer Lee Bartholomew is currently taking part in the Foster To Adopt program with George.

At four years old George has finished his racing career and is now transitioning into life at home.

“He is just a big couch potato,” Bartholomew said.

“Many greyhounds already have such relaxed temperaments before they become pets, but the Foster To Adopt program helps us teach them how.

“Putting George through the program has been a great help as we put all of our retired dogs through GAP and now we are able to understand fully what it takes to help them become better suited to home life.”

Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club committee member and The Border Watch On The Lure’s David Lewis praised the work the program is doing for Greyhound Racing South Australia.

“Foster carers play an important role in helping the ex-racers to transition to pet life,” he said.

“Every greyhound in SA is given the opportunity to be re-homed, subject to assessment by GAP and that is a great thing.

“There are plenty of stories about foster carers who become so attached to the dog they finish up keeping it as a pet.

“GAP has done much to enhance the image of what had unfairly been a much-maligned industry.”

Contact the GAP on 8243 7124 for more information about the foster care program.