Greyhounds find a new home

Lilith is one of the many former racing greyhounds to have now found a loving place to call home. 250499 Picture: SUPPLIED

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Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) is turning to social media to help it maintain the momentum of one of its most well-known and popular initiatives – the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP).

GAP is an initiative aimed at finding loving family homes for greyhounds who have retired from the racetrack.

Due to Covid-restrictions and lockdowns, GAP has been unable to hold an adoption day since April, which means one of the few ways to advertise and promote greyhound adoption is currently via social media.

One story that highlights how effective the social media element can be is that of how Kylee from Korumburra found her new family member, Lilith.

After seeing a GAP Facebook post shared on a friend’s personal page, Kylee became very interested and showed her husband.

“It was he who pointed out Lilith,” Kylee said.

“We loved her colourings and smiley face and from there we decided we were both keen to meet her.”

Lilith (or Lil for short) is now a certified member of their family.

“She’s affectionate, to us as well as anyone she has met so far,” Kylee said.

“She doesn’t bark, is great to walk on a lead, she loves her walks and we just fell in love with her when we met her, we only wish we’d adopted sooner,” Kylee said.

Their new four-legged friend is also keeping them entertained during lockdown as Kylee explains.

“We wondered why there was water splashed all around her water bucket…she stands her two front legs in it and stomps about…. not great to clean up, but it is funny.”

Greyhounds that are adopted via the GAP program undergo a thorough temperament assessment to ensure that they are safe around small dogs and that they are safe to go un-muzzled in public with a novice pet owner.

Some greyhounds that enter the program will also undergo a period of foster care prior to adoption.

During the foster period, volunteers located across Victoria offer their homes and their time to assist the greyhounds with their transition from the track, and life in a kennel environment, to life in a family home.

The Prison Pet Partnership also sees inmates at two of Victoria’s minimum security prisons act as foster carers, with the greyhounds living on-site for six weeks whilst they undergo training and socialisation.

Once a greyhound is ready for adoption, they are carefully matched with a potential home – with staff aiming to maximise the chances of a successful adoption.

Staffs assess a potential adopter’s expectations, lifestyle and requirements, including whether or not they already have other pets.

Adopters are then paired with a greyhound that is most likely to meet their expectations.

Until adoption days can resume, social media is the best way for GAP to spread the word about greyhounds needing homes.

Those interested in GAP can find more information on the GAP website or visit the Greyhound Adoption Program Facebook page.