1. Ownership of Foster Greyhounds
All foster greyhounds are the sole property of GPA/CA--OC&GLA and
shall be returned to GPA/CA--OC&GLA upon request or if the foster parent
is not able to care adequately for the greyhound.
2. Health Treatment
GPA/CA--OC&GLA will provide routine and emergency veterinary care
through select veterinarians. Foster greyhounds are not to be treated by
unauthorized veterinarians, except in the case of emergencies. Expenses
resulting from unauthorized routine care will be the responsibility of the
foster parent. Contact the Foster Coordinator for authorization.
3. Care of the Foster Greyhound
Foster parents agree to provide the foster greyhound with good food
and fresh water, love and affection, soft, comfy beds and pillows, and lots of
guidance, supervision, and training.
4. Help with the Placement Process
Foster parents play an important role in the placement/adoption
process and may be asked to talk to and meet with prospective families.
2. Introducing the foster to your cats
Introduce the greyhound to your cat indoors with the greyhound
muzzled and leashed. Hold the leash in your hand and leave the cat on the
floor. If you observe any of the following signs, inform the Foster
Coordinator:
Teeth clicking or snapping
Ears alert (by itself could indicate curiosity)
Fixed gaze or stare which cannot be broken
Trembling or lurching
3. Playing with small animals
NEVER allow the foster dog to run and play with cats or small dogs,
whether indoors or outdoors. Play can turn to hunt in a flash and no cat or
small dog is fast enough to get out of the way of a determined greyhound.
4. Look for possessiveness
Pay close attention to the reaction of your new foster dog while he or
she is sleeping, or even playing. Some dogs may be protective of new-found
toys and beds.
5. When you leave
Before you leave home, separate the foster from other animals by
leaving it in its own room or in a crate. Once you have observed the dogs
behaving appropriately in your presence, you may leave them alone together.
2. Food
Feed a high-quality, high-protein premium kibble. Several
recommended brands are Iams, Science Diet, Nutro, Nature's Recipe. When
possible, GPA/CA--OC&GLA will provide foster homes with kibble and/or
canned food that has been donated.
3. Feeding Time
When feeding your new dog, never do so close to your dog(s). They may
be protective of their food bowls. Feed the foster dog in a separate room or
area and SUPERVISE. Always reinforce the pecking order at feeding time:
the top dog should be fed first, then the second, and so on.
4. Health Care
Check your foster dog frequently for cuts, scrapes, fleas, and ticks.
Provide necessary treatment (flea spray or flea combing, Neosporin,
Silvadene, etc).
5. Grooming
Groom periodically with a grooming mitt or glove, as most dogs fresh
off the track have never had much grooming or bathing, will probably shed,
and will enjoy the attention very much.
6. Socialization
Your mission is to show this dog how to relax and be a good family pet.
Socialize him or her to life with your greyhounds, dogs, cats, and children.
But remember that your foster dog has been a "racing machine" thus far in
his or her life. So you must closely SUPERVISE your foster dog. Take
precautions while you are getting to know the dog's personality, especially
when he or she is around other animals and children. Introduce them to
one another slowly. Never leave the foster dog alone with other pets.
7. Housebreaking
Housebreak and/or dog-door train your foster greyhound. They come
from the track crate-trained, and the transition to housetraining is usually
accomplished in a day or two. During that time, keep the dog on a leash
when you are home so that you can catch him or her in the act of messing in
the house. Correct the dog with a firm "No" and take him or her outside.
When he or she goes outside, praise the dog profusely. Never correct a dog if
you don't catch him or her in the act; dogs aren't able to connect your
correction with an action that took place five minutes before.
8. Walks
Take your foster dog for walks and teach him/her to stroll calmly on a
leash. The exercise is good for both of you.
9. Play
Teach your greyhound to play! This is something he or she has probably
never done. Greyhounds tend to prefer soft toys such as stuffed animals.
10. Attending Greyhound Functions
Foster families are encouraged to attend any and all greyhound
functions with their foster dogs. The greyhounds who have been adopted
and are now pets in loving homes are great "salesdogs" for their kind. In
addition, the foster dogs themselves present the opportunity for prospective
adopters to begin picturing themselves with their very own greyhound.
2. Spay/Neuter
While in the foster home, the foster greyhound will be scheduled for a
spay or neuter, teeth cleaning, and heartworm test, along with any
other needed medical procedures.
3. Giving Medication
The foster family will, when necessary, administer medication and
follow the instructions of the veterinarian with respect to the recovery and
care of the foster greyhound.
4. Working with Participating Veterinarians
Arrangements for medical care are made by the Foster Coordinator,
and are scheduled with participating area veterinarians who provide services
at reduced or no cost. Since we are a non-profit organization, we are not in
a position to reimburse foster families for routine medical care provided by
their personal vet if that care could have been provided by one of our
participating vets.
5. Emergencies
In an emergency, veterinary care should be sought by the foster family
immediately. The dog's health and safety are first and foremost to GPA. If
the dog can be transported to a participating vet without endangering its life
and health, please do so. If, however, this is not possible, obtain care by the
best means possible. If anesthesia is required, be sure the vet is familiar
with greyhounds and anesthesia (info sheet included in this manual).
NOTIFY a GPA representative of an emergency as soon as possible.
1. Potential for Harm to Other Dogs
As you know, many greyhounds are not safe with smaller animals. Our
foster dogs have not yet been involved in an incident at a dog park, but some
adopted into homes have had such incidents. We are concerned about
potential liability if a foster dog injures, or kills another animal at such
parks.
2. Risk of Injury to the Foster Dog
The risk of injury to a foster dog at a dog park is minimal, but it is still a
concern to us. So far, GPA has covered all the cost of medical care for the
dogs in foster placemen. However, a few large medical bills could put us in
the red.
3. Danger From High Prey Drive Dogs
Never take a high prey drive greyhound to the dog park. The small
dogs there (and the reputation of greyhounds as pets) are at risk if you do.
If you decide to take your foster dog to a dog park:
1. Have Verbal Control of Your Dog
2. Watch the Foster Dog's Reactions to Other Dogs
3. Check Out the Safety of the Dog Park
Be sure that the dog knows his or her name and will come reasonably
well when called in public. A dog who will not obey you in public is not
under control and can become a danger to itself and other animals.
Before letting your foster dog into the dog park, walk around the
outside of the fenced area to observe the foster dog's reaction to other dogs,
in particular to small dogs. Be sure that he or she does not show any
aggressive reaction to the dogs.
Walk around and through the park to determine the physical safety of
the park itself, i.e., openings in fences, unfenced or poorly fenced sections,
holes in the ground, etc. It's not difficult to a running greyhound to step in a
hole and break a leg. Even a small break in the fence could allow your
greyhound to get out and become lost. Please do not take this chance.
When your foster dog's profile matches an adopter's needs and preferences, you will be contacted by that family for more information. We recommend a phone conversation first, followed by a visit to your home. Help the prospective adopters interact with your foster dog and show him or her off to the best of your ability.
After the visit, contact the Placement Representative and describe the meeting, how the people and dog reacted to each other, your feelings and observations, and any comments you have regarding the potential adopters. NEVER let the prospective adopter take the dog home after the first visit, unless you have been told to do so by a Placement Representative.
The Placement Representative or designee will complete the adoption paperwork at your home (if you so choose) or at another location. You may or may not be asked to help transport the foster dog to the adoption location. We would appreciate it if you would bathe the foster dog and check him or her for overall cleanliness (ears, eyes, toes, teeth) before turning him or her over to the new family. Wash or replace the collar and leash if they have become soiled or damaged.
You are encouraged to stay in contact with the family who adopts your foster greyhound and assist it with transition problems. Inform the Placement Representative of any problems the new family experiences. We would also like the new adoptive family to become part of our greyhound volunteer group. You can help by informing them of and inviting them to Show 'n' Tells and other functions.
by Harry S. Newman, DVM
Do not be afraid or embarrassed to discuss anesthesia protocol for your greyhound with your veterinarian. If he or she has had minimal experience with greyhounds and anesthesia, provide him or her with a copy of this information. This information may save your greyhound's life.
Principals for Administering Anesthesia to Greyhounds
Never use thiobarbituates including Biotal, Surital, or Pentothal.
Acepromazine is a safe and reliable preanesthetic tranquilizer in the greyhound.
Diazepam and Ketamine combination or Telazole are safe IV anesthetic drugs to use for intubation.
Isoflurane is the gas anesthetic of choice. It is exceptionally safe and recovery is rapid.
Greyhounds should have IV fluids administered during all major procedures lasting longer than 45 minutes. The rate of infusion is 10 ml/kg/hour.
Greyhounds are prone to hypothermia wile under anesthesia and should be kept on a heated water pad or other sources of safe heat during surgery.
There is no age limitation for surgically spaying to neutering greyhounds, but proper presurgical workups should be done and all workups should include platelet evaluation. This will further insure the safety of an anesthetic procedure.
Procedure
1. Give a dose of 0.1cc of Acepromazine subcutaneously 30 minutes before administering anesthesia. This will result in a smoother recovery.
2. Give atropine sulfate or preferably glycopyrrolate at the time of surgical induction with the intravenous anesthetic.
3. A reliable IV induction anesthetic combination consists of equal amounts of diazepam and ketamine drawn up in the same syringe. The calculated dose of this combination is approximately 1cc of the mixture per 10 pounds of body weight. Half of the calculated dose can be given a bolus, then administer just enough as needed to intubate. Telazole is a safe drug to use in place of diazepam and ketamine. It is dosed at 1cc per 100 pounds of body weight.
4. Isoflurane is then used at about 1.5 to 2 percent to maintain anesthesia.
If you have any questions on greyhounds and anesthesia you can contact:
Harry S. Newman, DVM
5155 Sheridan Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 633-7123
Dr. Robert Totman
Aliso Viejo Animal Hospital
24038 Aliso Creek Road
Laguna Niguel 92656
(714) 643-0437
Hours: M-F 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-noon, Sun 10am-4pm
Gib Benschoter, DVM
Brea Veterinary Hospital
675 S. Brea Boulevard
Brea 92621
(714) 529-4988
Hours: M-F 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-3pm
Dr. John Unflat
Garden Park Pet Clinic
12453 Valley View
Garden Grove 92645
(714) 898-6377
Hours: M-F 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm
La Mirada Animal Hospital
13914 E. Rosecrans Ave.
La Mirada 90670
(310) 921-3539 or (714) 521-2185
Hours: M 8am-6pm, T/W/Th 8am-8pm, F 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun
9am-3pm
Dr. Peter Kendrick
Pet Hospital - PetCo.
19050 Brookhurst
Huntington Beach
(714) 378-0330
Hours: M-F 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Drs. Heidi Casale, Jennifer Burke, and Andrea Glasser
VCA Rossmoor El Dorado Animal Hospital
10832 Los Alamitos Blvd.
Los Alamitos, CA
(714) 310-598-8621
Hours: M-Th 8am-8:30pm, F 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-2pm
Dr. Kevin Caylor
All Pets Veterinary Clinic
29131 S. Western
Rancho Palos Verdes 90275
(310) 547-2784
M/T/W/F 8am-6pm, Th 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-4pm
Dr. Charles Mintzer
General Pet Hospital
800 N. Diamond Bar Blvd.
Diamond Bar 91765
(909) 861-4116
Hours: M/W/F 6am-7pm, T/Th 6am-8pm, Sat 7am-2pm
Dr. John Agostini
San Clemente Veterinary Hospital
1833 S. El Camino Real
San Clemente 92672
(714) 492-5777
Hours: M-F 8am-6pm, Sat 8:30am-4pm
In Case of Emergency
We prefer that you take an emergency need to the Central Orange
County Emergency Animal Clinic if the emergency occurs during Central's
working hours. Otherwise, take care of the dog by the best means available.
Central Orange County Emergency Animal Clinic
3720 Campus Drive, Suite D
Newport Beach 92660
(714) 261-7979
Hours: M-F 6pm-8am, Noon Sat.-8am Mon, Holidays 24 hours
President and Adoption Co-ordinator:
Joyce McRorie 714 962-0789
Vice-President and Foster/Vet Co-ordinator:
Karen Charpie-Elton 310 496-1873
Vice-President and Show 'n' Tell Co-ordinator:
Pat Lynch 310 547-9470
Secretary:
Dan Sullivan 310 496-1795
Treasurer:
Bev Strissel 805 526-0752
Directors:
Rich Strissel 805 526-0752
Ron Stolte 310 547-9470
Joanne Kalley 909 629-9105
Kathy Mooney 714 548-4071
Phil Faust 310 496-1873
Lynda Adame 310 548-7145
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