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Would like to do greyhound fostering but haven't got very far with local rescue centres.

9 replies

GloriaSmud · 10/04/2012 15:42

I've been looking into fostering greyhounds (I'm not very experienced with dogs but have some experience with greyhounds) and tried to contact two rescue centres near us, here in the East Midlands. The first one, I left our details with them 3 times and after finally managing to speak to the lady in charge of fostering, she said she'd send some forms out. That was 2 months ago and I've heard nothing since. The 2nd rescue place I tried, concentrated more on rehoming greyhounds and I dropped by to see them 3 weeks ago. They asked whether I worked (no), about our garden (a secure one), ages of our children (6, 9 and 12) and whether we had any small animals (no). So after giving them these details, they took our address/telephone number and said they'd ring to arrange a home check. I was more hopeful we might get somewhere with this one as they told me that their kennel was full, they had 60+ dogs on the waiting list and they were having to pay for two dogs to be in a kennel, so thought we were in with a chance and we'd hear back from them fairly quickly. But I've heard nothing and after the 3 attempts with the 1st rescue centre, I don't know whether to keep after them or try somewhere else.

So can anyone point me in the right direction (perhaps a national greyhound organisation) or is there something about us that rescue centres just don't like e.g. lack of experience or DD3 being too young? I realize that a lot of rescue centres are run by busy volunteers but was hoping that if they didn't think we were suitable, they'd tell us rather than just not hearing anything!

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HarrietSchulenberg · 10/04/2012 16:24

Shropshire Greyhound Rescue are great. Sue is wonderful and I'm sure she'd welcome you as a fosterer.

GloriaSmud · 10/04/2012 17:58

Thanks for that. I'll get in touch with them. Smile

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fluffygal · 10/04/2012 18:37

You're children are definitely not too young, my youngest was 6 months old when we first fostered greys. I know the rescue I foster for are very busy, work fulltime and fit the rescue around working and are sometimes very hard to get hold of. Do persevere and keep ringing, I am sure it has nothing to do with your suitability. I am in Kent and foster for Kent greyhound rescue so no good for you and don't know any other suggestions. There is Greyhound Gap but not sure where they are located.

fluffygal · 10/04/2012 18:38

Argh your not you're!!Damn autocorrect!

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 10/04/2012 18:57

Whicht rescues have you contacted? You could try Greyhound Rescue West of England, I know they rehome all over the country so maybe they foster all over the country too!

GloriaSmud · 10/04/2012 21:12

Spaghetti ~ the 1st one was called AnimalAid and the 2nd was EastMidlands Dog Rescue, both in Leicestershire (very slight giveaway to where I am there!)
Thanks for your suggestion ~ it's a good point if a rescue centre rehomes all over the country then possibly they'll do fostering that way as well.

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SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 10/04/2012 22:24

Oooh let me guess? You're in Kent!? :o

It's worth contacting GRWE, they have so many dogs on their website, they have all types of pointies too, not just greyhounds.

Or another thing, you could go on RGT website and look at their registered charities and find some more in your county :)

Scuttlebutter · 10/04/2012 22:58

Hi Gloria, So sorry to hear of your experience. Both of the rescues you mentioned are not specialist greyhound ones - they are all breed. This doesn't excuse them not getting back to you. The only thing I can think of is that they didn't need any foster care immediately for greyhounds? I'd drop them a line, just letting them know of your experience and saying that you'll be looking elsewhere, but to let them know so they can improve what they do.

There are several national greyhound organisations that you could contact. GRWE have already been mentioned. You could also try Greyhound Gap here or take a look at the forums on Sighthounds Online - a very friendly bunch of sighthound peeps. The Retired Greyhound Trust is the main national body that works with the tracks - if you go to their main website you can then look up branches near you, and that definitely includes the East Midlands. Unfortunately I've heard variable experiences for people adopting through the branches - some are brilliant, some are less so.

You could also try Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue - not sure how far they travel but are a good rescue, and if you look north there's Tia - not sure how far their foster network is but certainly worth a try.

Good luck - if you were a bit closer to Wales you'd have no problem - I'd make sure of it! Smile

GloriaSmud · 11/04/2012 06:43

Spaghetti (Grin at Kent) and Scuttle ~ thank you so much for your help. It looks like it's a bit of a 'weeding out' task to find out which places are close by and do fostering. I know we have the Nottinghamshire branch of RGT but they don't do it.
I'll definitely take a look at the forums for any help there.
Thanks once again. Smile

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