Thinking of Adopting a Greyhound or Lurcher?

Before applying to adopt a rescue dog, the whole family needs to be 100% sure that they are ready for a life-long commitment.

Thinking of adopting a greyhound lurcher or whippet?

If you are thinking of adopting a greyhound or lurcher then please read on.

For Better or Worse, Richer or Poorer…

Adopting a rescue greyhound or lurcher is just like getting married. Are you ready to commit for life?

Before applying to adopt a rescue dog, the whole family needs to be 100% sure that they are ready for a life-long commitment. If even one member of the family is unsure that they can provide the time, love and work involved then the adoption becomes much more likely to be unsuccessful. Everyone involved needs to be sure that this is the right moment for a new family member to be introduced and that everyone has considered how the dog will impact upon their individual circumstances both now and in the future.

If anyone in your home is not sure about getting a dog or is nervous of dogs – then you do need to let us know.

Before applying you need to ensure that you are in a position to adopt within a few days of the homecheck. Please do not reserve a dog if you have holidays due, or other commitments,  which will delay the adoption. We expect you to adopt the dog within a couple of days of your homecheck.

Consider the impact on your family life.

Identifying your own needs as a family is the first step to successfully adopting a rescue dog. It is vital that every element of your current situation is explored within the family prior to applying for adoption.  If any concerns are apparent, however small, these are discussed with the charity.

Consider how the dog will impact upon the lives of:

Ask yourselves whether the time spent outside the family home either at work or with leisure pursuits will mean the dog is left for long periods of time. Who is going to get up early to walk the dog and will you be too tired for an ‘after work’ walk. What happens to the dog when you go on holiday or for a weekend away?

Cats? you need to let us know.

Please always let us know straight away if you have a cat, even one that lives outdoors as not all of our dogs are cat friendly.

If you have a cat, please read the greyhounds and cats guidance notes to make sure you are prepared to spend time cat training your new dog, before embarking on the adoption process. We do not in general rehome to families with both young children and cats, unless we are confident that the dog is cat workable.

Try to evisage any problems that having a dependent pet may cause to your existing routines.

How do you plan to overcome them? Many dogs want to sleep on the bed with you at night, and may cry and whine if left downstairs alone. Have you got the time, patience and energy to retrain the dog out of such behaviours?

Once, as a family, you fully understand your own requirements, these can be used to identify which dog(s) may be the most suitable to join your family. In the excitement of choosing and going through the adoption process it is sometimes forgotten that each dog has individual traits which is moulded by their breed, their age and their past experience. There will never be the ideal, ‘ready-made’ dog but with a little prior consideration you should be able to find your ‘potentially perfect’ companion.

You do need to let us know about anything which may make the adoption more problematic. Then we can ensure we match you with the right dog. 

Please think very carefully before considering adopting a dog.

If you have children, then we will only rehome a dog that is in a foster home and living with or regularly meeting up with children.   For the safety of the dog and your children, the children must also understand that dogs are not toys.  Even the most perfectly well behaved dog may react to constantly being pestered by a child. Children and dogs should never be left alone together.  You must all understand that dogs also need time out and should not be disturbed when sleeping.  Please read our section on children and hounds.

Once you have completed the online adoption form, you are welcome to telephone the foster parents for a chat about the dog they have in their care – they will always give you an honest answer to any questions you may have.

What happens if things go wrong?

We are always here to discuss any problems you may have before and after adoption.  We want the adoption to work so we will help you as much as needed.

If you are unable to keep the dog, the dog must be returned to KGR. It must not be handed into another rescue.  When you adopt a dog from KGR, you sign a legally binding contract. The contract states you will return the dog to KGR. 

KGR will allocate the next kennel or foster space available to you. But it will be your responsibility to keep the dog safe until such a time.  You will then need to transport the dog to wherever that place may be. We rarely have a free kennel space available which is why we ask you to be patient.  The rescue does not return the donation if the dog is returned.

And finally.

We are not trying to put your off adopting. But we do ask you to take the adoption process seriously. So it becomes a long, happy and successful addition to your family.

If you are ready to proceed we explain everything on the website so please read the sections.  The first step is to complete the online adoption application form.

Everyone at Kent Greyhound Rescue is a volunteer.  Our online shop really helps us to pay our kennel and vets bills.  We sell everything you need for your dog and all proceeds help the rescue. 

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