GREYHOUND CROSSROADS
ADOPTION & FOSTER HOME APPLICATION

	This application is designed to help you think about the living requirements of retired greyhounds and decide if adoption is right for you.  It may seem like aLOT of questions, but please take your time and really consider your answers.  We take our responsibility to the dogs and future owners very seriously.  We hope this application assists you in choosing GC as your group as much as it helps us guide you to the right dog.   From all the members at GC, welcome to our world of greyhound companions!

ALL ABOUT YOU. . .

Name 		        				Date  		      

Full Mailing Address, City, State, Zip 	       

Street Address (if different)		      

Home Phone 	        	Cell Phone 	      		Work Phone  	     

In case of a true emergency, please give us another way to reach you: 	      

Email address that we can reliably use to contact you: 	      

How did you hear about our adoption and family support services? 		      

Were you referred by or know a GC family that you’d like to use as a reference?   	      

Do you have applications filed with any other groups?  		      

Names of all household members and their ages:    	      	

Please describe the other pets in your home or any who visit frequently.  		     

Why would you like to adopt a greyhound?   	       

If you aren’t adopting right away, please explain when you anticipate doing so and the reason for the delay so that we can help you plan accordingly. 	      

Are you considering other breeds, or are convinced that a greyhound is for you? 		      

Who would be the primary caregiver of your greyhound?  	       

Have you ever owned a greyhound or volunteered with an adoption group in the past?   Please tell us about your other greyhound (s).		       

Are all members of your household aware and agree about adopting a greyhound?  	      

Are any members of your family actively serving in the Military?  Do you expect any deployments or reassignments in your future?   If so, please explain how you would make it possible for your greyhound to remain a part of your family. 	      

THE NEEDS OF A RETIRED ATHLETE...

Greyhounds are a breed with a life expectancy of 10 years or more.  Are you prepared for a commitment to a dog for the remainder of its life?	      

Do you have the financial resources to meet the medical needs of a large dog, including good quality food, heartworm preventative, vet care, and flea medications as needed? 		      

Greyhounds are sighthounds, which means their eyesight is highly developed.  They are also friendly and curious, as well as filled with the desire to RUN when given the chance.  A greyhound, therefore, can never be trusted off-leash unless in a secure, fenced area.  A loose greyhound is usually a dead greyhound.  Do you understand this requirement and agree to keep your dog safe by always leashing it unless in a securely fenced area? 		      

If you have young children, have you considered how you will prevent the children (and their young friends!) from accidentally opening doors and gates that would allow your greyhound to escape?  Tell us what provisions you have, or intend to make, to keep everyone safe.    	      

Heartworm is common in this part of the country and very deadly.  Are you willing to keep your greyhound on preventative all year or as recommended by your veterinarian? 	      

Greyhounds are not a breed well-suited to living outside.  For many reasons, a retired greyhound wants and needs nothing more than to live inside with its new family.  They certainly enjoy time outside, but long periods alone unsupervised invite a whole host of problems.  Do you understand this requirement and agree that your greyhound will be an inside member of your family? 	      

Greyhounds fresh from the track sometimes feel the need for the security of a training crate.  We advocate the limited use of these crates when it appears the greyhound needs it in order to learn the rules of home life and remain safe when unsupervised.  Remaining comfortable with being in a crate is also helpful in the case of vet trips, boarding kennels, illness or injury, etc.  Are you willing to buy and learn to use a crate to help your dog adjust if it seems to be required? 		      

YOUR LIFE TOGETHER:

Please list a Veterinarian that we may contact as a reference:

	Clinic Name 		        	Phone  	      		Vet Name  	      

	Address, City State Zip 	       

	Length of time you've used this vet 	         

We don't have a vet reference because:  	       

If you don’t own your home, do you have permission to have a large pet? 		      

Are you willing to allow a representative of our organization to plan an informal Welcome Visit in your home prior to placement of the greyhound?  Visits are always arranged at your convenience and are useful in helping you evaluate possible dangers or concerns. 	      

How long will your greyhound usually be expected to remain alone each day?  How does your job affect the time spent away from home? 		      

How will you provide your greyhound with 'potty breaks' and exercise? 	      

Do you have a fenced area-- what kind/ how big?	       

We will walk on a leash 		     	     Other-- please describe 	      

Do you enjoy any activities or hobbies in which you hope to include your greyhound?	     

Does your home have any situations that your greyhound will have to be comfortable with, such as members with acute illnesses, allergies or physical limitations, very young active children, etc?
	     

If you have any preferences as to age, color, or gender, please explain why these considerations would be important enough to guide your possible choices. 		      

Have you already met or become interested in any of our dogs specifically?   	       

GC highly recommends good reading research before adoption, including “Greyhounds for Dummies” and “Childproofing Your Dog” for anyone that plans to have dogs and small children in the same home.  Have you done any reading or research to prepare for your greyhound?  	      

Describe for us the personality of your absolute perfect greyhound.  	      

Is there a personality trait or habit that you simply CANNOT accept in a dog?  	       

Understanding that the final decision would always be yours (and will NOT affect your ability to adopt from GC), would you be willing to consider a greyhound that has special needs such as age, medical condition, shyness, or past injuries?  These dogs are often the hardest to place and we always wish to offer them a chance with owners who consider giving them a forever home.  	      

Greyhound Crossroads chooses to give personal time to each foster dog rather than using a kennel, and therefore has foster placements all over the state of SC.  The best available choices for you might be a distance away but we feel that this foster time is invaluable and we encourage you to meet all the dogs you wish until you have chosen your companion.  In order for us to help you choose the most appropriate choices, how far would you be willing to travel from home in order to meet and adopt your perfect greyhound faster?   	       

What sort of expectations do you have in the way a greyhound will impact your life, family and home?       

Do you have any other concerns you would like us to address?    Please tell us if there is anything else about your home, family, lifestyle, or adoption needs that you'd like us to know.     	     

THE LEGAL PART. . . . Please read carefully
	In submitting this application, I am authorizing Greyhound Crossroads to investigate the answers given on this form.  I understand that in the interest of making the best placements possible, they have the right to deny any application or ask for additional information but will NOT use this information for any other purpose in order to protect my privacy.  I understand that this document will become a permanent part of my adoption application record for Greyhound Crossroads.

     
Signature 

(In the case of an online application, please type your full name 
but be certain to sign the printed version if it’s mailed)

Greyhound Crossroads would like to thank you for considering the adoption of a retired racing greyhound.  Please feel welcome to email us with any questions you may have to applications@greyhoundcrossroads.com.  We have an Applications Coordinator who will do everything possible to assist you.

Completed online applications should be emailed to

applications@greyhoundcrossroads.com

Note about applying for adoption:  We highly recommend you use the method above to submit your application for reasons of speed, accuracy, and availability.  If that is not an option for you, printed copies of this form can be mailed to the address below.  Please know this will significantly slow down your processing though because of the timing delay.  If you need help, let us know!

Printed applications should be mailed to 
Greyhound Crossroads, 314 Sample Rd, Greenwood, SC 29649