Greyhounds Only follows a rigorous adoption process, which can take from four to six weeks to complete. We do this so that everyone is satisfied that a greyhound is a good fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
If you wish to begin the adoption process with Greyhounds Only, please keep in mind that we are a 100% volunteer organization serving Chicago's Metropolitan area. We ask you to check a map and make sure you are within 100 miles of Carol Stream, IL. We would be delighted to help you identify an adoption group closer to your home if you live outside of our servicing area.
Complete an Application
The process begins when you download and complete an application. The application asks you questions about you, your home, your family, your past and current pets, and your lifestyle. This allows us to determine whether or not a greyhound is a compatible match for you. We have adopted hounds to thousands of families, so there's very little that you can share that will surprise us.
Interview
Once we have received your application, one of our contact representatives will contact you for an interview. This interview is intended to ensure that you have thought carefully about adopting a greyhound and to give you some idea of what to expect should you decide to proceed with an adoption. Please take this opportunity to ask this person anything about greyhounds. If he or she doesn't know the answer immediately, he or she will be able to look into it and get back to you. Once both you and the contact representative are satisfied that a greyhound is indeed a good fit for you and your family, you'll move on to the next stage of the approval process.
Child & Family Seminar
If you have non-adult children, we require your entire family to attend our Child and Family seminar. Greyhounds are different from other breeds of dogs because of the environment in which they were raised and the racing careers for which they were being groomed. This class is intended to make sure that both you and your children understand your greyhound's upbringing and know how to keep it safe. Even if you personally don't have children but have frequently visiting children, or if you're considering adding a child to your family, you might consider taking this class. Your family will visit the home of one of our trained instructors. There you'll take the class and get a chance to interact with the volunteer's hounds. The class usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. We try to be considerate of the distance you may have to travel, but it is well worth the trip to ensure that your family is well prepared for a new member.
Kennel Visit
The kennel visit is one of the most enjoyable parts of the adoption process. You'll be invited to one of our kennels where appropriate greyhounds reside. Our experienced volunteers will be there to help guide you through the selection of adoptable hounds so that you can find the hound that is right for you. You should plan on one to two hours for the kennel visit. Your entire family, including all children and other dogs you own, must be present. This allows us to make sure that the dog reacts well to your "pack" and vice versa.
Once your new family member has been selected, you can then plan for your greyhound to be home within two to four weeks. The time frames can vary based on veterinary appointments, recuperation, and foster family availability.
Foster Care
Foster care is where your hound begins to learn what it means to be a pet rather than a racer. The family that fosters your hound will begin teaching him the things he will need to know before he comes to your home. We try to place your hound with a foster family that has an environment similar to your own. For example, if you have cats and small children, we'll try to foster the dog in a similar household so that we can be sure that the hound remains a good fit for your home. The foster family will begin working on the hound's housebreaking, name recognition, stairs, and general household life. Here your greyhound will be exposed to common noises and activities that go on in a typical home. Foster care will typically take one week but may require more depending how quickly your hound adjusts.
Adoption
Your foster family will contact you to give regular updates and progress reports and to tentatively schedule a date and time to complete the adoption. When we’re confident that your greyhound is ready to go home, the foster family and a Greyhounds Only adoption representative will bring the dog to your home. They'll walk you through your home and point out anything that might pose a risk to your hound. They'll answer any final questions you might have and go over your hound's paperwork with you. The foster family will help the hound begin to settle in to your home and discuss any habits, quirks, or other personality traits that you'll want to know about. Again, your entire immediate family should plan on allowing two to three hours of uninterrupted time for this part of the adoption. This is NOT a time for extended family and friends to meet your greyhound.
Your adoption fee includes the following: spaying/neutering, teeth cleaning, microchipping, de-worming, care and vaccination certificate, leash/collar set, squawker, heartworm testing, and a Greyhounds Only identification tag. You will also have the opportunity to purchase a new muzzle. Muzzles are a very important training tool and are required at all Greyhounds Only dog events.
The adoption fee is due at this time. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card. Since the adoption fee does not completely cover the actual cost for us to process the hound, we prefer check or cash so as not to incur credit card transaction fees. Any additional donations are greatly appreciated at this time, if your budget allows.
While the adoption process takes time and effort on your part, after you're left alone with your hound, you'll have a great new family member that is certain to enrich your life.
- See more at: http://www.greyhoundsonly.com/hounds/adoption/greyhounds-only-adoption-process#sthash.HHzvPChH.dpuf
