How to rehome a sighthound??

[MotherJack]

I have ended up looking after a friend's sighthound (greyhound x) for the last couple of weeks and it's looking likely that he won't be able to have her back. I have no sighthound experience and she needs some training (basic is good but needs lead training and recall as she needs to be able to run).

She is a lovely girl, great with kids and other dogs, but not suited to my existing dog (exercise-wise, not friend-wise) or me as I don't have the wherewithall to train her so I can't keep her. It's not fair on her.

The greyhound rescues will be bursting with dogs looking for homes already and there is NO WAY I would put her in kennels.... can anyone think of a way I could find her a good home??

Advice appreciated!

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not alot of advice if you dont want to go to breed rescue, but you could try asking around. but i would give GH recue a call just to see if they have anyone in mind that could take her.

Thanks All the rescues I can find are for ex-racers though. She isn't pure bred and has a lot of stamina so she's not like a normal greyhound. I'll try the local one tomorrow, but I'm not holding out any hopes. Anything else anyone can think of? I have asked around but no joy :(

Breed rescue doesn't ALWAYS work via kennels - some work using foster homes. (Am speaking as an independent rescuer myself). Regardless, I know that many will say the same as you about kennels but as someone who has experience of rescue and sees a lot of abuse and a lot of inappropriate people taking on dogs they can't handle, hence they come to rescue, I can promise you that a decent rescue is far far preferable to an unsuitable home or the vet's needle.

Also, often breed rescue will very often take Lurchers too, which is of course what this lady is.

Whatever you do, PLEASE PLEASE don't offer her in a local paper or try to rehome her yourself UNLESS you know the prospective owner personally and very well and are willing to ask lots of (possibly intrusive) questions of them and at the rnd of it all if necessary tell them they aren't suitable. Greys and Lurchers are tremendously abused dogs and may quite possibly be taken by someone who puts on a very convincing act to you but who in reality will use her for coursing or illegal "sport" or other forms of abuse.

I recommend that you contact Kaye at Lurcherlink and put yourself in her hands - she will give you advice and point you in the right direction, she really knows her stuff.

[email protected]

LurcherLink are online - go to the forum, they will help too, but please contact Kaye or one of her volunteers first for specific advice.

The rest depends on where you are - I can recommend some rescues for you if you'd like to give an indication of area.

PS - It doesn't have to be breed rescue you choose either - all breed rescue are just as good. It's all about the care, the policy and so on, not whether they only take the breed imho.

Seek out a rescue which:

1. Has a GENUINE NO KILL policy

1. Will homecheck.

1. Will vaccinate

1. Will neuter before re-homing without exception unless there are medical grounds not to.

1. Will contract take the dog back at any time in her life if the adoptive owner cannot keep her.

If you ensure that the rescue you choose has these, what are imho essential basic policies and are happy with the conditions in which dogs are kept and level of care, you can be sure that you are doing right by this girlie.

Thanks Vallhalla. My own dog is a rescue - I started by fostering her after my other dog dies and left a huge hole. They have all of the policies you mention - my favoured breed is also hugely abused. It is SO important to me to have her homed properly. I would not be able to forgive myself. I've had to google Lurcher, but yes, that's what she is but she is lovely and just needs a good family home who will understand her and be able to care for her.

I will contact your link - thank you. I'm in Nottinghamshire if you know of any local ones??

I know OF some local ones but have no personal experience of them so I've put the word out amongst others in rescue asking for personal recommendations, MotherJack. I'd rather give you info based on experience than just a list of names.

Will let you know what transpires as soon as I know myself.

Pooch is a lucky girl to have you looking out for her.

PS - IME the second most horribly abused dog after the Greyhound is the Staffie. Is that what you have got?

Mine are in my profile pics. :)

I don't often blow my own trumpet, but yes, she is lucky :) I bought her a new collar (martingale) as her other one was a thin leather studded thing. Not great for giraffe necked dogs- even with my limited knowledge!!

Thank you so much for putting the word out - I really appreciate it. I have emailed your suggestion already but will keep on checking here if you have any news for me.

Yes, good guess, I am a Stafford lover. I spotted your photos. She is lovely :) My old boy died very suddenly, just short of 12, about 3 months ago. I now have a 9 year old lady from the local rescue - she was cold and lonely in kennels so having leads, beds, bowls and food I fostered her. Didn't take long to fill the adoption papers in ;-)

I had to rehome a greyhound, I did it through Greyhound rescue west of england, I didn't want him going into kennels, so I asked if they could help me find a home while he still lived with me. They found a home within a few weeks, I met the whole family who I was very happy with, I didn't want the charity to incur any costs so I paid for his teeth to be cleaned (he was already neutered and vaccinated). Greyhound rescues also deal with lurchers, as they are often used for coursing.

Ha ha another failed fosterer!

The long haired white GSD in my profile is officially a long-term foster... but do you honestly think he's going anywhere?

Like heck he is! :)

Thanks HA. That certainly gives me heart.

Lol! I'm defo Class 1 Grade A failed fosterer Vallhala. (psst... can't tempt you with a lurcher can I? Long term foster?? )

MotherJack (love the name btw) maybe try Evesham Lurcher Rescue?

Not immediately on your doorstep but very prominent Lurcher rescue where we are - they are good :).

Another shout for Greyhound Rescue West of England - brilliant charity who take all hounds - I've seen salukis, lurchers, whippets, greyhounds on there. Wish I could take her on but if I get another my husband will probably leave me

Vallhala.... can I ask you to contact me off board urgently please?

s h a n c o AT a n o t h e r DOT c o m

(bit tedious as you can't cut and paste but it avoids the internet bots)

Thanks :)

Thanks both Salty and TCOB.

I feel like hitting the bottle, Salty!!

Have mailed you, sorry, only just spotted this.

Have replied to you, don't know if you got it or if it's landed in your spam folder again?

Got it - been out all morning so just had chance to reply :)

Oh dear - it's over 8mb. :-S Let me know if you don't get it...

Motherjack, I've replied again (yesterday). Have some very possible offers for you to consider - am confident that there are no other issues.

Dunno if my messages have ended up in your spam box again?