Please Read the general information on Fostering before Placing your application.

Fostering a Retired Racing Greyhound 

Foster homes are the most important part of Bridging The Gap Rehoming – Without them and the dedicated help from our Foster families, we would not be able to assist these beautiful creatures with finding their retirement lives.

Each home plays a vital role in helping our greyhounds adjust to life outside the racing kennel. Sometimes this adjustment period is easy, other times it is more difficult, and the dog needs all the patience, consideration, love and understanding that you can give. Following is a list of what is required of the foster families, and what you can in turn expect from Bridging The Gap (BTG).

BTG is solely run by volunteers and relies heavily on the generous donations of the public to assist with important issues such as vet care, winter jackets, collars, leads and muzzles. Foster homes treat their greyhounds just like their own. 

BTG will supply foster items such as dry food, meat, dog roll (when available), collars, leads, treats, muzzles, vet care, worming, occasionally a bed if we have them available.

Foster homes will be responsible for a cozy dog bed, training, love, extra treats, teaching and learning home life as well as socilising with other people and dogs. 

We realise that foster carers are generously opening up their homes and hearts to these dogs, and all support/advice necessary will be given promptly.  The follow up and monitoring of foster greyhounds is generally done by phone or text. We also appreciate that foster homes may not wish to care for dogs continually. Some may only try it once and decide it's not for them. Others may want a break between dogs, or may have holidays or other commitments planned for the near future. Whatever assistance an approved foster home can make will be accepted most gratefully.
 
Compassion, patience and understanding is the key.
Like humans, each dog is an individual. Greyhounds as a rule are quiet, well mannered, affectionate dogs. However, some dogs can initially be difficult to deal with. They may bark, whine, go to the toilet in inappropriate places, and exhibit other undesirable behaviours. The role of the foster carer is to assist the dog with getting over these problems. If the dog is demonstrating severe, destructive and dangerous behavioural problems then please contact one of the BTG members and we will arrange for helpful advice or if needed, the removal of the dog from your home.
With compassion, patience and understanding, you'll be able to turn a keen athlete into the ultimate couch potato!
 

Read the General Information on Fostering?

Are you ready to foster a greyhound?

Proceed to the application! 

NOTE: Greyhounds during their foster care time will require socialisation with other dogs both big and small. They are not familiar with other breeds, so it is your job as a foster carer to guide and teach the dog how to socialise nicely. Greyhounds can be "rude" with smaller breeds as they do not understand what they are. All foster carers MUST make sure their greyhound is muzzled when interracting with other dogs, especially smaller breeds. They need to be taught to be gentle and friendly. This is important for their final temperament assessment.

NOTE: Greyhounds are no longer required to  wear muzzles in any public place once they have been retried, however while in foster care with our program, we require them to be muzzled when interracting with other dogs, and walking in public until their final assessment and we have deemed them suitable to be muzzle free. They are also to be on a lead no longer then 2 meters in length. They can NOT be let off lead in ANY public area.  This includes dog parks, ovals, beaches, paddocks, runs, tennis courts etc. Regardless of council allowances.

BTG DOES NOT allow foster carers to participate in any off lead activites unless it is in the vicinity of a normal back yard. Foster Greyhounds should never be let off lead to run in private or public paddocks, ovals, beaches, or large runs, etc.  This is for the saftey of the dogs. 

By sending this electronically, I acknowledge that I have completely read this questionnaire and fostering information provided and comprehend it fully.

I understand that applying does not ensure approval and that untruthful answers or failure to comply with the requirements of this application can result in the forfeiture of any BTG Greyhound fostered by me. 

I also understand if I am approved to foster a greyhound, that all foster items given to me for the fostering of a greyhound belong to BTG and I agree to return the items at the end of my fostering period. A $50 fee will be charged if items are not returned when required.

I acknowledge my responsibilites to care for the greyhound in my care and provide it with a safe and secure environment. 

I will adhere to all BTG rules relating to greyhounds, muzzling, and off lead rules. In the event that injury to a greyhound has been sustained due to my negligence in this area, that I may be charged for any vet fees associated with the incident.

I certify that the above information is correct, and I understand that the information may be verified.

 

I agree to have BTG Greyhound Rehoming to conduct a home visit inspection to be able to approve my foster application.

I agree that if I'm unable to foster the dog(s) anymore that I will return the dog(s) to BTG Greyhound Rehoming SA and will do my best to provide BTG with a 2 week period to try and find another suitable foster for the dog(s).