Fostering with CGA
When you open your home to a retired racing greyhound, you help them take the first steps into their new life—learning what it means to be a pet, living in a home, and being loved as part of a family.
There are two ways to foster. In a traditional foster, you provide a temporary home until the dog is adopted. With fostering with intent, you foster with the possibility of adopting if it’s the right match. (Note: Foster with Intent placements are subject to approval by CGA.)
No matter which option you choose, you’re giving a greyhound stability, care, and the chance to flourish. We can’t do what we do without our foster families.
Traditional Foster FAQ
What are foster families responsible for?
A foster’s role is to expose the dog to all sorts of new situations, sounds, and other animals. You will work on housebreaking and learning about steps, sliding-glass doors, riding in cars, household appliances, etc. Dogs coming from Ireland must be bathed within 24 hours of entering the U.S. You will also facilitate the adoption process by coordinating a meeting with approved adopters, completing paperwork, and collecting the adoption fee.
Foster parents play an important role in the placement and adoption process and may be asked to provide information and attend special events so that the foster dog gets the exposure necessary to be adopted in a timely manner. Meet and Greets and Hound Hikes are scheduled throughout the state each month and foster parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Special one time CGA events are also scheduled throughout the year and foster parents are expected to bring the foster dog or make arrangements for a CGA volunteer to pick-up the dog and deliver to and from the events.
What supplies are provided?
The foster parent will be given supplies including a crate, muzzle, collar, ID tag, and leash. Frontline and wormer/heartworm medication will also be provided. You may submit for reimbursement for food.
Will I have to take the dog to a veterinarian?
Usually not. Retired racers visit a vet for spay/neuter and teeth cleaning before going into foster homes.
How does the adoption process work?
Foster parents must forward any interested adopters through the adoption process. The adoption process begins when the potential adopter fills out a CGA adoption application. The adoption coordinator speaks to the applicant and determines their viability for adopting a greyhound. A home visit is scheduled by an adoption rep and vet references are checked. Once an adopter is approved, the adoption coordinator will forward a contract to the foster home and will look to the foster parent to complete the required information, sign as the authorized CGA representative, and collect the adoption fee/mail it to CGA. The foster dog will go to their forever home with their collar, CGA ID tag, and medical paperwork which will be given to the foster parent at the time of foster dog pick-up.
Foster With Intent FAQ
What are the benefits of fostering with intent?
- You’ll get to know the dog before making a full commitment.
- CGA provides food and supplies during the foster period.
- If you choose to adopt, your adoption fee is reduced from $500 to $300.
- Even if you decide not to adopt, you’ve helped a dog transition from the track and start their new life.
How long do I have to decide?
You’ll have about two weeks to decide if you’d like to adopt your foster dog. If you decide it’s not the right fit, you’ll continue fostering until the dog is adopted. That way, the dog stays in a stable, loving home until their forever family comes along.
What if my foster dog isn’t the right match?
Part of fostering is learning what works for you and for the dog. We’ll note what we’ve learned and use it to find the right forever home. If you’re open to fostering again, we’ll do our best to match you with another dog when one is available.
Do I get to choose the dog I foster?
Not exactly. We do our best to place dogs in homes that suit their needs and take into account things like whether you already have pets. But many incoming dogs are already matched to adopters who have been waiting, so foster with intent availability may be limited.
Are there limited slots for fostering with intent?
Yes. Because many greyhounds are pre-matched with adopters, we only have a limited number of dogs available for fostering with intent.
How do I sign up to foster with intent?
Fill out our foster application and select that you’re interested in fostering with intent on the first question. A CGA volunteer will contact you to go over the next steps.
INTERESTED IN FOSTERING?
Fill out our foster application to get started.