Why foster?
Foster homes are the foundation of the GAL organization. In order to bring a greyhound home from the racing industry, they need a temporary and safe place to go. Foster homes provide temporary shelter and care for ex-racers waiting for a permanent home. As a foster parent, you provide the guidance needed for the initial introduction to life as a pet. This time allows GAL to have the greyhound vetted and for the dog to recover from surgery. It also provides a key part of the “right dog / right family” goal. The insight and information gained while fostering allows for a more ideal match to prospective adopters. The end result is more and better adoptions. If you live in the Western New York area and would like to foster, please consider fostering at least once a year to help a deserving greyhound on its journey to a permanent and loving home. Every greyhound deserves a chance for retirement. For more information on becoming a foster home, contact us by phone: (716)867-9822 or email: izofawoman@aol.com. If you are ready to foster, download the Fostering Application. Each new foster home will be required to attend a Foster Seminar.



Fostering Q and A
Q. Approximately how long will I have a foster dog?

A. The average stay for a greyhound in foster care is 3 or 4 weeks. However, we do need specialized foster homes that may only be interested in doing the vetting or child / small animal exposure. In those scenarios, the foster time would be considerably less.

Q. Who pays for the cost of the foster dog?

A. GAL supplies the crate, the foster food and veterinarian care. We ask that you donate your time and gas for transporting the greyhound.

Q. Do I have to find a home for the foster dog?

A. GAL is responsible for locating and placing the greyhound into a permanent home. It is not your responsibility to find a home.

Q. I am afraid I cannot let go of a foster dog….

A. Many new folks encounter this concern. Please know that your role in the foster greyhound’s life is providing that initial, temporary care. If you go into fostering knowing that you are preparing the greyhound for another home and a family is potentially waiting for that greyhound, it will make the “letting go” process much easier. Your sense of reward from providing this invaluable service will make you anxious to help with another.

Q. Do I have to own a greyhound to foster?

A. No. We have some foster homes that do not own their own greyhound; however, want to help ex-racers and do so by providing foster care.