The adoptions of retired racing Greyhounds as a great family pet have steadily increased over the past decade and with that is an ever present need for foster homes. A rescue organization cannot exist without them.

Greyhounds In Need of Adoption (GINA) is a completely volunteer run charitable organization committed to placing these dogs in good homes once their career as a racer is over. The foster home plays an important role in our adoption program. It assists the Greyhound to make a successful transition from an athletic sprinter on the track to a wonderful pet in the home. If you are not in the position to adopt at this time you may wish to consider becoming a foster home for Greyhounds that we bring into our adoption program. Of all activities in our program we find fostering to be the most rewarding. GINA provides an introduction to fostering through a seminar in which you are taken through every step of the program. The equipment and support is provided and GINA covers all the medical and food costs until a permanent home is found for the dog.

The successful placement of all foster dogs is directly dependent upon the accurate evaluation by the foster parents. The dogs are evaluated for their personality and their compatibility with children and cats. You are not required to have any of the latter things listed to be eligible to participate in fostering.

Although these dogs are adults, they have never been inside a home. They must be taught how to climb up and down stairs, they will learn that tile or ceramic floors are not all that scary to walk across and shown the appropriate place to eliminate outside. They discover that windows are indeed solid. You will enjoy watching the dog's personality evolve as it adapts to the routine in your home.

Every Greyhound spends a minimum of three weeks in a foster home and all the dog's medical needs are addressed during this period. A vehicle is a necessity as there are at least three trips to the veterinarian involved. Geographical concerns may come into play as we currently use the Fort Erie Animal Hospital or the Royal Ford Veterinary Clinic in Oakville to meet all the dog's medical requirements.

Once a home has been found to be an appropriate match for the dog you are fostering you will have the opportunity to meet the people who are adopting this Greyhound into their life. It may be an emotional time as you release the foster dog but take comfort in the knowledge that your participation in this program has saved the dog's life and the same compassion and love you've felt for this dog can be directed forward to the next one waiting for a chance to be someone's pet.

GINA strives to do as much as possible for the dogs in finding the right home for them. We always require more young families with small children to become involved in order for an accurate evaluation to be made. Parental supervision at all times is mandatory.

Through adoption you save the life of a dog but think of how many more lives you save through fostering. We can't think of a more compelling reason to become involved.

If you would like more information about adoption please contact us. We would be more than happy to speak with you. Please find contact information is on our homepage.