Timescale for greyhound adoption?

[doggiesdoggiesdoggies]

Hello,

I'm at the start of the greyhound adoption process- I'm just wondering about timescales. I enquired over two weeks ago with a charity, had a call back about our needs/ preferences about 10 days ago but the regional homechecker hasn't got in touch yet. I know they're all volunteers- but I'm just worried this is going to take months and months.

So, is it quite normal to get in touch with more than one rescue charity as a back up? I'd feel a bit bad about doing this as I don't want to waste anyone's time. The one charity I have got in touch with already have a really good reputation- I do really really want to stick with them.

TIA

I'd give them another call and ask politely but firmly for a clear timescale on the process, which strikes me as being entirely reasonable.

There may be a delay in actually sourcing a dog, especially if you have very particular requirements e.g. loves cats and rabbits, must mix with existing Yorkshire terrier and so on, but the actual process of getting your paperwork and homecheck sorted out should be straightforward. If there is a delay for any reason, the charity should inform you of this, the reasons why and tell you how much longer you will be waiting.

The charity I volunteer for would be mortified if you had to wait this long without being told what was happening, and even if the volunteer homechecker for your area was on holiday, we'd probably ask someone else nearby to do it.

Charities should not mess people about, especially at this time of the year, when many people wish to fit dog adoptions around school holidays to allow dog to settle in, and need to plan holiday arrangements/dog adoption synchronisation. Us rescue peeps can't be surprised if people give up on charities who can't provide good, clear standards of service.

I see nothing wrong at all with making contact with a second charity particularly if you have very specialist requirements. Most charities wouldn't bat an eyelid at that. In fact, when we first adopted we got in touch with several and it just happened that the charity who came back to us most quickly (and were the most helpful in following up calls) were the ones we adopted through and ended up doing a lot of voluntary work with.

If you are still struggling, and don't wish to name the charity concerned, do PM me and I'd be happy to point you at any other reputable ones I know of. I should also add that I know there is a considerable variation between different branches of the RGT - our two local ones in Wales are excellent but I've heard some very mixed experiences about differing English branches from various sources.

And please post some pics when adoption is successful!!

As a guide - it might help you (and not a swift experience) - we made the initial query about our hound at the start of May, and she came home yesterday. Granted we were seeking a cat-friendly hound of a specific sex which narrowed the field somewhat and made things take longer.

We did end up being complete pains in the arse ringing every week to speed things up a bit.

Now back to trying to measure one very wriggly hound for a coat - not helped by the fact she seems to be very reluctant to be a position other than splatted out horizontal and unconcious!

I adopted a greyhound a few years ago from the Greyhound Trust, it took a matter of weeks. I rang them up to arrange to go and visit. Went over that week, explained what type of dog I was looking for - I wanted a calm-ish young female dog. They don't usually let you adopt a greyhound if you've very young children. I walked some dogs that day and chose the one I thought would be okay. The charity arranged to come over that week to do a home check (I had previously had a dog so they said this would just be a formality) and brought the dog with them.

Mind is horizonal and unconscious too! They make such good pets.

For a "straightforward" adoption I'd expect

Week 1 - initial contact by adopter via website or phonecall

Followed by response by kennelling co-ordinator or phone volunteer to have a chat, make initial contact.

Week 2 - regional rep or other homechecker contacts to make appt for homecheck - subject to adopter being available - this can be done inside a week

Week 2/3 - homecheck takes place. If straightforward (fence OK and so on) homechecker will discuss adopter in detail with kennelling co-ordinator to suggest best potential match among existing hounds or whether to wait for more suitable. Sometimes at this stage rescues will also contact each other if there are specific requirements, e.g. colour and sex.

Week 3/4 If adoption requirements are straightforward, and hound is available, arrange initial meeting, trial walk or meeting with existing pets/family members. May be at kennels or at foster home

Week 3/4 If all goes smoothly, dog will be rehomed to new family with follow up calls during first week post adoption plus documented home visit one month later to assess progress. Ongoing support offered plus invitations to social events, greyhound walks, etc etc. New owners accumulate collection of collars and remember fondly when they used to be able to sit on their own furniture.

The whole process as outlined above can take as little as two weeks from start to finish. More typically, particularly when people may want to fit in appointments only on weekends, it can take a little longer. Other delays might be if the dog is recuperating from medical situation before homing, foster home availability is limited, or adopter needs work to garden before proceeding.

Thanks guys,

Scuttle that's really helpful, thanks. I've left a message and I'll give it till wednesday for homechecker to call and then try phoning elsewhere.

I've read your threads empty, your hound sounds gorgeous! :)

I need a cat-friendly grey as well- but don't mind about anything else really - as long as it won't mind me dragging it in the car to lots of beautiful places for walkies!

I could get to TIA greyhound and lurcher rescue quite easily - I was worried that they don't homecheck (?) but the website says they've got loads of dogs- UP TO 90!- and seem to be good from all the youtube videos I've seen.

Doggies, I'm reluctant to criticise any charity without being 100% certain of facts, however, I would never endorse adopting a dog through a charity that didn't homecheck. Homechecks are vital for both the adopter and the charity, particularly when you consider an ex racing greyhound can get up to speeds of 40 mph very,very quickly and may not be good friends with your neighbours' cat. I've had a look on their website and it doesn't (frustratingly) say anything about their adoption process or how they assess prospective owners, policies on who can adopt etc.

If anyone from TIA reads this, please can you put something about adoption and homechecking on your website?

Yes that's what I thought too Scuttle. I think I'll look elsewhere - it really is best for us to have a charity that will homecheck and has good after support because of the cat and as I've never owned a sighthound before. I'm sort of enthusiastic but completely inexperienced!

If there's anything at all I can help with, please give me a shout.

Am completely besotted with our grunds and they are very addictive.