Fostering greyhounds
A critical aspect of GPA's successful adoption of ex-racers is the foster program. Foster families open their homes to a new foster dog, helping it to adjust to a life of retirement. Greyhounds are very intelligent and learn very quickly, particularly when fostered by a family who already has adopted a greyhound. The greyhounds teach each other and adapt quickly to life as a family pet. The foster families volunteer to share their lives with a greyhound for a short time and are rewarded with more of those appreciative eyes.

Make a donation
As a non-profit corporation, we rely on donations to feed and house retired racing greyhounds, and to cover the costs of emergency veterinary care. Your donations of the following items are gratefully accepted: money, dog food, crates (portable kennels that house a single dog), veterinary care, advertising, printing and publishing. Click on the image at right to see a touching recent donation from one of our younger supporters!

Dog washes
When foster homes become available, dogs are brought either from the track or from the farm where they are housed on an interim basis, and are prepared to enter a foster home. Each dog is physically checked, given all its shots, and wormed. It is then tested and observed to determine its tolerance to cats and small animals. It also receives its GPA name.

Last, but not least, each dog is bathed, has its nails clipped and its ears cleaned. Finally, the greyhounds meet their foster families. The greyhounds need those who can help during their first grooming. This is an opportunity to be among the first to give a newly retired racer a big hug (sometimes a wet one) and loving care, and share in the excitement of watching another beauty emerge.

Transportation
Even though they are known for getting around pretty quickly, the greyhounds rely on us for their transportation. Transporting dogs from the track, or to and from the farm, is done with volunteer's private vehicles that accommodate four to five dogs.

In addition, during the greyhound's stay with a foster family, it is scheduled for spaying or neutering and teeth cleaning. Foster families cannot always transport the dogs to these appointments.

If you can provide transportation in any of these situations, please let us know. Each ride is an opportunity to give a little more reassurance to a greyhound friend who is entering a new world.

Home during the day
Events or errands often need to be accomplished during weekdays when many of our volunteers are at work. Let us know if your schedule would allow you to help with weekday events or errands. Many fun greyhound surprises have popped up during the week!

Assembly/mailing of newsletter
Every other month GPA publishes a newsletter of the latest happenings with our grey guys. Of course a scoop on the latest news is available to those who can help collate, staple, and stamp the newsletter.

Show and Tell
The Show and Tell events allow the greyhounds to help each other by simply being themselves in public and showing people who they are--they do the Showing, we do the Telling! These two to three hour events are generally held on weekends. The set up consists of pens for the greyhounds, a small table with handouts about adopting a greyhound, and a sign or two. If you can help with the organization or set up of a Show and Tell, please let us know. If not, you can still help by bringing your greyhound(s) to Show and Tells in your area, if even for a short time. The dogs are able to be "sales dogs" and they also get the chance to socialize with each other.

Telephone calling
We continually make telephone calls to remind people of upcoming Show and Tells, follow-up calls to foster parents or new adopters, or handling requests for information from volunteers. This does not involve soliciting for donations. If you enjoy talking on the phone and talking about greyhounds, this job is for you.

We're interested in:

• suggestions for promotional events that would introduce more people to greyhounds
• fund-raising events
• a good location for a Show and Tell
• a story to submit to the newsletter
• donations of dog food or bathing supplies which you can arrange

All of these activities are on-going and staffed by volunteers. If you'd like to help, please print out, fill out, and mail the Volunteer Form to the address indicated.