The cause of the retired racing greyhound is very close to our hearts here at Awesome Paws. In 2004, we adopted our first 2 greyhounds, and life has never been the same since we did. We now share our lives with 4 of these beautiful creatures, and life is always interesting.
If you're interested in finding out more about greyhounds, you've come to the right place. It's very important to find out if a greyhound would be right for you. Once of the best ways to do that is to read some of the recommended literature, including Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies and also Adopting the Racing Greyhound
Both of these titles will give you a very good idea if the greyhound temperament is a good fit for your family.
We adopted our hounds from GRA Canada, that's Greyhound Relocation and Adoption Canada. This kennel is located close to Ingersoll, Ontario, and generally has 40 or more hounds looking for a couch.
The GRA website is : GRACanada.com
And the forum where you can see pictures of adoptable hounds(the thread is pinned at the top of the page you're about to open), and post questions, is : GRA Forum
Another really great place to learn about greyhounds is online at: www.greytalk.com
Listed below is the GRA's 10 most important things for new adoptors to know.
THE GRA'S 10 IMPORTANT TIPS FOR NEW ADOPTORS
1. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR GREYHOUND on leash outside a securely fenced area.
2. NEVER DISTURB A SLEEPING GREY. Call its name or get its attention before touching especially in its crate or on its bed. This is where most instances of growling or worse occurr.
3. CHECK INGREDIENTS OF YOUR FOOD. Corn or wheat should NOT be 1s t or 2nd on the list as they do not digest well. Avoid SOY as it gives greyhounds gas.
4. STAY WITH YOUR GREYHOUND WHILE it is exploring its new Surroundings. Use the muzzle provided when introducing it to another dog or small animals.
5. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN RESPECT FOR your new Greyhound and DO NOT EVER leave small children alone, unsupervised with your dog. Your new Grey may be nervous and feel threatened for several weeks.
6. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND A CRATE, especially in the beginning. It makes life so much easier for you and for your new Greyhound.
7. DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH TOO SOON. Time, patience, and love are the ingredients for having a contented and happy Greyhound family.
8. FIND A GREYHOUND-KNOWLEDGEABLE VET to care for your Greyhound.
9. YOUR GREY IS CRATE-TRAINED BUT not house-broken. Keep it on a regular schedule of feeding and outing. Gentle, but firm correction is the answer to accidents. Be patient and consistant.
10. Bill Cowan, the man who runs the GRA, has been doing this for years. If he suggests something, listen to him. If you have questions, call him at (519) 425 - 7822
You may prefer, rather than adopting a greyhound right off the track so to speak, to adopt one that's been in a home before. The GRA usually has dogs that have been returned (generally through no fault of their own), but you also have the option of using one of the adoption groups in Ontario that foster the greyhounds before they are adopted.
Greyhounds In Need of Adoption, or GINA for short, is one such group. You can visit their site here: GINA
If you have any questions about greyhounds or adoption, please feel free to contact us.
By phone 705-812-1533 or 416-907-3290 or by Email information@awesome-paws.com
