Wentworth Falls resident Joan Carr says adding “hound love” to your life by adopting or fostering a male rescue greyhound is an opportunity not to be missed.
"Right now, Greyhound Rescue has 17 boys waiting for a home or fostering and two of them have been there for a year," said Ms Carr.
She fostered Loki, aged six years, from Sydney charity Greyhound Rescue (GR) last year and recommends people consider a boy, as they're often overlooked due to being larger than the girls.
"Loki is a big gentle soul who just loves being with me at home, or in the car," said Ms Carr, who has a busy retired life and volunteers with Great Community Transport in the Mountains.
She first fell in love with this beautiful breed while working at greyhound racing kennels in the UK during the late 1960s.
“I decided to foster a grey as I'd recently lost my Italian Greyhound Karzi, to old age. I wasn't ready emotionally to take on a permanent companion,” she said.
Basic training is often needed for rescue greyhounds, many of whom had never been a pet before. Ms Carr said it had taken a little time for Loki to feel at home, but it had been completely worthwhile.
“Although Loki was already house trained, when I got him home he had no comprehension of how to manage stairs. He froze halfway and had to be carried up and down for the first couple of days until he adjusted,” she said.
Despite being a foster dog, Ms Carr said Loki stole her heart when she wasn't looking and the rest is history.
“I adopted him in January this year. Loki then completed his Greenhound assessment last May and recently gained his new Greenhound collar. No more muzzle for this boy. He's a completely different to when I first adopted him. Has more confidence now he no longer has to wear a muzzle,” she said.
“In NSW, greyhounds must wear muzzles when not at home, unless they're Greenhounds. If you see a greyhound with a muzzle on try not to judge. It's an old law. Both the RSPCA and the Australian Veterinary Association support the removal of compulsory muzzling or pet greyhounds in a public place.”
Ms Carr said it's a pleasure to be out with Loki as he attracts so much attention.
“He's a great ambassador for Greyhound Rescue and everyone wants to know his story. There are so many more greys up here now which is great. We can get together for walks to help develop Loki's socialization skills,” she said.
Joan also sponsors a greyhound which is waiting for its 'forever' home at GR's kennels: “Sponsoring a dog helps Greyhound Rescue provide medical care, as well as toys, bowls, treats, collars and leashes.”
Peter Flann, GR co-founder, said the charity has more than 50 dogs needing adoption or foster care - www.greyhoundrescue.com.au/category/dogs-available.
“Greyhounds make great pets for all ages. They are gentle 70-km per hour couch potatoes. We have many wonderful greyhounds being cared for in our kennels. They need permanent homes or fostering in temporary homes,” he said.
“Greyhounds shed very little hair, have no doggie smell and need just a 20-minute walk each day, but like most dogs are happy to do more.”
Adoption costs $350. This goes toward the cost of de-sexing, vaccination and a full health check. People interested in adopting should complete an application form on GR's website - www.greyhoundrescue.com.au/adopt/adoption-process.