Foster

Could you foster a greyhound?
We are always in need of people to help us to help greyhounds by offering a foster home for a greyhound as a ‘half-way-home’ until we can find a permanent home for the dog. Most of our dogs come from County Kerry but foster homes in Dublin and other areas would be highly beneficial to make our dogs more accessible to potential adopters. If you would like to apply to foster please complete the form below, and then a HUG volunteer will get in touch to arrange a homecheck. For more information or just a chat please contact us.

Fostering is an important step in a greyhounds journey from their racing life to their new reality as a family pet. The change in circumstances is often a bewildering time for many greyhounds as they are entering into a completely new world that is strange and often a bit scary. They have never lived in a house, never encountered different types of flooring, televisions, windows, mirrors, vacuum cleaners and more, not to mention arriving in a more urban environment with a lot more traffic, bikes, people and general noise than their rural upbringing. Most greyhounds adapt to these changes quite successfully but it can take time and patience, and that is where foster homes are very critical. Fosters provide a positive first experience to a whole range of new sights, sounds and smells, allowing the dog to adjust to their new lifestyle. It is also an excellent opportunity to further assess the behaviour and personality of each dog, far more than when they live in kennels, as their true nature can start to shine through. We then have a chance to know which dogs are more confident or shy, which are more eager for outings or would prefer quiet time at home with their people, who needs another canine buddy for support or would be best suited as an only dog in a household.
A few fostering details:
  • Fostering time varies, usually a period of a few weeks, but for some it can take a bit longer to settle in and find their forever home
  • HUG covers all veterinary and food costs during the fostering period, and will supply bedding, dishes, leads, crates, jackets, etc. as needed
  • We ask that foster homes have at least one person who is home most of the day to supervise and settle the dog (for example keeping the time the dog is left completely alone to less than 5 hours)
  • A secure fenced back garden is required, or a foster carer very committed to bringing a dog outside on lead to toilet several times per day
  • Foster homes do sometimes wish to adopt their foster dog, which is very possible, we just ask that you let one of the HUG team know so that we don’t seek to place the dog with another adoptive family
  • We can cover any other questions or concerns in the homecheck that a HUG volunteer will arrange once we receive your application form

Foster Application Form








Are you over 18?:

Where did you hear about HUG?:

Have you fostered a dog previously?:

If yes, which rescue did you foster for?:

Most of our dogs tend to be between 1 and 5 years of age although occasionally we rehome older dogs. Do you have an age preference?:

Would you prefer your dog to be male or female?:

If you are suitable, would you like to be considered to foster more than one greyhound?:

Is your home a:

Are you an owner or renter?:

Do you have a fully enclosed garden?:

If no,can your garden be enclosed?:

What is the height of the fence at the lowest point?:

Who lives with your? Names of other adults:?:

Ages of children in household:

Other pets? Please give details:

Do any young children visit regularly?:

If yes what age(s) are they and how frequently do they visit?s:

Approximately how often and for how long would a dog in your care be left on its own at a time?:

Approximately how much exercise would you give a dog in your care? Weekdays:

Weekend Exercise:

Have you or anyone in your family ever been convicted of abusing or being cruel to an animal?:

Do you have any plans for::

How important is it that your foster dog is comfortable with children?:

Do you have or have you had, any health issues or conditions which may affect the type of dog you feel would be suitable for you?:

If you have already had a homecheck from another rescue please give the details here (including the approximate date) as we may not need to do another homecheck.
:

If you have, or have had animals before, which veterinary practice do/did you use? Are you are happy for us to contact them about you if we wish to?:

May we contact the Vet for a reference?:

Do you have a timescale in mind for fostering a dog?:

Is there any other information which would be useful to us?:

I consent for Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds to retain my personal details in order to be contacted regarding greyhound fostering.: