FOSTERING FOR MGAP
The process to foster is as follows:
1. Fill out the application online and mention fostering on the application
2. In home interview - Meet a greyhound, FUN!
3. Online training - from the comfort of your own home! You will have access to this at no charge, once we have you matched with a specific foster dog.
4. You then come to Moncton to pick up your foster at the assigned date and time. You may have to drop your foster back in to Moncton when the home is found. Sometimes we can arrange for transportation. Foster homes can be anywhere in the Maritime Provinces.
MGAP covers food, approved vet costs, the crate, blankets, sweaters, kongs, collar leash, ID tag and bowls as needed.
We also give you an incentive gift for fostering for us . You will learn more about what is available when the time comes.
You can also choose to foster with intent to adopt and we will give you first choice of keeping the dog for a time frame.
You will also have written fostering guidelines to help guide you and free professional support.
A LOOK AT FOSTERING – BY SHEILA MEREDITH
Fostering provides an invaluable service to MGAP. It allows us to have dogs on hand for potential adopters and affords us the time we need to learn about each dog’s personality and traits, and this enables us to better match them to their permanent homes. Just think, the foster homes are the first people to really get to know a new dog and everything about them. It truly is an exciting and rewarding experience.
We’ve heard a lot of excuses ummm, reasons why people can’t or don’t want to foster. Let’s have a look at some of them.
“I DON’T HAVE THE SPACE” — I used to think this too. We have three female Greyhounds and three cats, and yet we still feel there is room for one more fostered Greyhound. All it takes is a small space where you can set up a crate, which we will lend to you at no cost! Throw an old blanket in the bottom and you are set to go.
“I DON’T HAVE THE TIME” – I also used to think this after adopting my first, second and then my third Greyhound. I soon discovered that honestly, adding in the fourth was no more work. Think about the mere minutes it takes to dish out food, do that one more time for the foster dog. They are walked together, turned out together, and have the same schedule and routine as your own dog does. Putting that one extra dish on the floor, or one extra collar on a dog doesn’t add up to much time in the run of your day, but it adds up to an awful lot in the heart of the Greyhound you’re fostering and giving the chance at a forever home to.
“I CAN’T AFFORD TO TAKE IN ANOTHER GREYHOUND” — this one is easy! You get the food for the foster dog from MGAP at no charge and we cover medical expenses. If there is anything else we can do to help enable you to foster, please contact Deb or myself to discuss.
“MY OWN GREY WON’T TOLERATE ANOTHER GREY” — you’d be surprised at how well multiple Greys do in a home environment together.
“My grey loves having a foster around, it’s such good company for him” – Gail Goulette
“They don’t get all the privileges that our own dogs get and they are treated a little different. This lets our own dogs know that it is another temporary house guest for them to help train.” – Deb Levasseur
“She is willing to share all her things (except her favorite kitty). I have not yet seen a dog of any size that she did not get along with.” – Alison Cassie
“Our boys are always happy greet other hounds I think because this is what they are used to prior to being adopted.” – Carol Goudie
“I MIGHT GET ATTACHED” — OK, you got me, you’re right there, you just might. But no matter how difficult it is to bring the Greyhound in for adoption, just knowing and reminding yourself that the Greyhound will only be with you for a short time makes it easier to find the time to take care of them, and it also makes it easier to give them up when it’s time.
So how do I personally prevent myself from becoming too attached? I never think of any foster dog as "mine." Each dog already belongs to someone else -- I just haven't met their new family yet. I also tell myself things like: "Oh, well, we don't need a male with these 3 females already in the house." "This one's nice, but we already have a Brindle."
And of course the easiest way to keep from getting too attached is to remember that there is another dog that needs my help after this one goes home.
“When I foster I always think this is a great dog and easy to love BUT, for everyone that gets a furever home, it opens my home to give another pup a chance for its furever home.” – Gail Goulette
“The candidates who are interested in adopting have been screened very carefully and know the information about greyhounds, so I tell myself that they will be in a good home who will love, nourish, play with the greyhound. It is the best interest for the dog. I am doing my part and they are doing theirs.” – Janice Melanson
“How can we let them go afterwards? The answer – we are doing it for the dogs and there are others who need us. We set our house limit of how many dogs we want and we stay within that. It’s hard for a day or two when they go, but we adjust quickly and know that we did the right thing.” – Deb Levasseur
“SOMEONE ELSE WILL SAY YES. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER FOSTER HOMES” — They don’t and there aren’t. It really is that simple. If there were, we wouldn’t be putting the call out for new foster homes. We have a limited number of foster homes and when they are unable to foster, we need to cancel and reschedule loads until those homes become available thus increasing the wait times for adopters. This delay can turn people off due to longer waits for dogs.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I FOSTER?
THERE IS A TIME COMMITTMENT. Fostering can be from two weeks to two or three months. Also please keep in mind that fosters don’t need to be home 24/7, no more so than you weren’t when you first brought your Greyhound home. We just ask that you stick through it with the fostered dog until his or her adoption.
YOU WILL NEED TO WORK ON BASIC TRAINING AND TEMPERMENT ISSUES – Just as you did with your own Greyhound, you need to work on house training and house rules in conjunction with the crate training. .
We ask foster homes to work on the following basic training (housetraining, walking on leash, wait command); behavior modification (bolting through doors, counter surfing); socialization and temperament evaluation (to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people and other animals) All of this makes them that much more appealing to potential adopters.
YOUR OWN GREY(S) WILL LEARN MORE SOCIAL SKILLS. The more animals your pets come in contact with, the better they are at dealing with stress and getting used to strangers. Who knows, your Grey might even find a playmate in your foster.
“Liam seems to take great pride in teaching them how to play and walk right” – Gail Goulette
“Fostering has helped my own dogs so much with socialization. For my shyer dogs, it gave them confidence and brought them out of their shell.” – Deb Levasseur
“It’s built great confidence in my own three Greyhounds and I have seen amazing changes in Angie since fostering. She’s playing better with other dogs and become much more tolerant and laid back as a result.” – Sheila Meredith
“Ellie loves having new dogs in the house, she almost sees it as her “job” to show them the ropes. She is usually upset when they leave.” – Alison Cassie
“Our Greys get companionship, friends around to play with. I believe it is good for their heart, mind and soul”. – Carol Goudie
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS PEOPLE DO FOSTER?
“It's so rewarding to be a part of giving these wonderful dogs a chance of having a furever home.” Gail Goulette
“People who like challenges, good experiences, and giving their time, fostering is the way to go. And in return you are getting lots and lots of love and you are as greytfull as they are.” – Janice Melanson
“I love getting to know the new dogs and getting to see firsthand their personalities. I enjoy watching them learn and grow and find their footing in a home environment. Fostering is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and my only regret is not getting involved in it sooner than I did.” – Sheila Meredith
“Each foster teaches me something new too. It’s also an honor to be able to see them do things for the first time in their lives…seeing them swim at the beach for the first time, enjoying enrichment walks, playtimes, bones and kongs…it’s all such a joy. I have fostered 60 dogs and will do it as long as I am able to and needed. Fostering greyhounds is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. It’s so rewarding getting updates on how they are doing in their forever homes and knowing that I helped that dog and that family in some small way is a great feeling.” – Deb Levasseur
“I enjoy helping the new dogs get used to being in a home and I think fostering is a good first step for dogs right off the track. If you have never owned a grey it is nice to have one that has been fostered, if you already have one it is not necessary as you know the breed and know what to expect.” – Alison Cassie
“We foster because having other Greys with our boys is really good for their overall well being and for us it's nice to know we are the last stop on this long road to the fosters forever home.” – Carol Goudie
So, what have you got to lose? Honestly, nothing. Please, we encourage you to sign on, give it a go and see if it’s for you.
Contact Deb Levasseur at deblevasseur@rogers.com to sign on for fostering.
1. Fill out the application online and mention fostering on the application
2. In home interview - Meet a greyhound, FUN!
3. Online training - from the comfort of your own home! You will have access to this at no charge, once we have you matched with a specific foster dog.
4. You then come to Moncton to pick up your foster at the assigned date and time. You may have to drop your foster back in to Moncton when the home is found. Sometimes we can arrange for transportation. Foster homes can be anywhere in the Maritime Provinces.
MGAP covers food, approved vet costs, the crate, blankets, sweaters, kongs, collar leash, ID tag and bowls as needed.
We also give you an incentive gift for fostering for us . You will learn more about what is available when the time comes.
You can also choose to foster with intent to adopt and we will give you first choice of keeping the dog for a time frame.
You will also have written fostering guidelines to help guide you and free professional support.
A LOOK AT FOSTERING – BY SHEILA MEREDITH
Fostering provides an invaluable service to MGAP. It allows us to have dogs on hand for potential adopters and affords us the time we need to learn about each dog’s personality and traits, and this enables us to better match them to their permanent homes. Just think, the foster homes are the first people to really get to know a new dog and everything about them. It truly is an exciting and rewarding experience.
We’ve heard a lot of excuses ummm, reasons why people can’t or don’t want to foster. Let’s have a look at some of them.
“I DON’T HAVE THE SPACE” — I used to think this too. We have three female Greyhounds and three cats, and yet we still feel there is room for one more fostered Greyhound. All it takes is a small space where you can set up a crate, which we will lend to you at no cost! Throw an old blanket in the bottom and you are set to go.
“I DON’T HAVE THE TIME” – I also used to think this after adopting my first, second and then my third Greyhound. I soon discovered that honestly, adding in the fourth was no more work. Think about the mere minutes it takes to dish out food, do that one more time for the foster dog. They are walked together, turned out together, and have the same schedule and routine as your own dog does. Putting that one extra dish on the floor, or one extra collar on a dog doesn’t add up to much time in the run of your day, but it adds up to an awful lot in the heart of the Greyhound you’re fostering and giving the chance at a forever home to.
“I CAN’T AFFORD TO TAKE IN ANOTHER GREYHOUND” — this one is easy! You get the food for the foster dog from MGAP at no charge and we cover medical expenses. If there is anything else we can do to help enable you to foster, please contact Deb or myself to discuss.
“MY OWN GREY WON’T TOLERATE ANOTHER GREY” — you’d be surprised at how well multiple Greys do in a home environment together.
“My grey loves having a foster around, it’s such good company for him” – Gail Goulette
“They don’t get all the privileges that our own dogs get and they are treated a little different. This lets our own dogs know that it is another temporary house guest for them to help train.” – Deb Levasseur
“She is willing to share all her things (except her favorite kitty). I have not yet seen a dog of any size that she did not get along with.” – Alison Cassie
“Our boys are always happy greet other hounds I think because this is what they are used to prior to being adopted.” – Carol Goudie
“I MIGHT GET ATTACHED” — OK, you got me, you’re right there, you just might. But no matter how difficult it is to bring the Greyhound in for adoption, just knowing and reminding yourself that the Greyhound will only be with you for a short time makes it easier to find the time to take care of them, and it also makes it easier to give them up when it’s time.
So how do I personally prevent myself from becoming too attached? I never think of any foster dog as "mine." Each dog already belongs to someone else -- I just haven't met their new family yet. I also tell myself things like: "Oh, well, we don't need a male with these 3 females already in the house." "This one's nice, but we already have a Brindle."
And of course the easiest way to keep from getting too attached is to remember that there is another dog that needs my help after this one goes home.
“When I foster I always think this is a great dog and easy to love BUT, for everyone that gets a furever home, it opens my home to give another pup a chance for its furever home.” – Gail Goulette
“The candidates who are interested in adopting have been screened very carefully and know the information about greyhounds, so I tell myself that they will be in a good home who will love, nourish, play with the greyhound. It is the best interest for the dog. I am doing my part and they are doing theirs.” – Janice Melanson
“How can we let them go afterwards? The answer – we are doing it for the dogs and there are others who need us. We set our house limit of how many dogs we want and we stay within that. It’s hard for a day or two when they go, but we adjust quickly and know that we did the right thing.” – Deb Levasseur
“SOMEONE ELSE WILL SAY YES. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER FOSTER HOMES” — They don’t and there aren’t. It really is that simple. If there were, we wouldn’t be putting the call out for new foster homes. We have a limited number of foster homes and when they are unable to foster, we need to cancel and reschedule loads until those homes become available thus increasing the wait times for adopters. This delay can turn people off due to longer waits for dogs.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I FOSTER?
THERE IS A TIME COMMITTMENT. Fostering can be from two weeks to two or three months. Also please keep in mind that fosters don’t need to be home 24/7, no more so than you weren’t when you first brought your Greyhound home. We just ask that you stick through it with the fostered dog until his or her adoption.
YOU WILL NEED TO WORK ON BASIC TRAINING AND TEMPERMENT ISSUES – Just as you did with your own Greyhound, you need to work on house training and house rules in conjunction with the crate training. .
We ask foster homes to work on the following basic training (housetraining, walking on leash, wait command); behavior modification (bolting through doors, counter surfing); socialization and temperament evaluation (to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people and other animals) All of this makes them that much more appealing to potential adopters.
YOUR OWN GREY(S) WILL LEARN MORE SOCIAL SKILLS. The more animals your pets come in contact with, the better they are at dealing with stress and getting used to strangers. Who knows, your Grey might even find a playmate in your foster.
“Liam seems to take great pride in teaching them how to play and walk right” – Gail Goulette
“Fostering has helped my own dogs so much with socialization. For my shyer dogs, it gave them confidence and brought them out of their shell.” – Deb Levasseur
“It’s built great confidence in my own three Greyhounds and I have seen amazing changes in Angie since fostering. She’s playing better with other dogs and become much more tolerant and laid back as a result.” – Sheila Meredith
“Ellie loves having new dogs in the house, she almost sees it as her “job” to show them the ropes. She is usually upset when they leave.” – Alison Cassie
“Our Greys get companionship, friends around to play with. I believe it is good for their heart, mind and soul”. – Carol Goudie
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS PEOPLE DO FOSTER?
“It's so rewarding to be a part of giving these wonderful dogs a chance of having a furever home.” Gail Goulette
“People who like challenges, good experiences, and giving their time, fostering is the way to go. And in return you are getting lots and lots of love and you are as greytfull as they are.” – Janice Melanson
“I love getting to know the new dogs and getting to see firsthand their personalities. I enjoy watching them learn and grow and find their footing in a home environment. Fostering is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and my only regret is not getting involved in it sooner than I did.” – Sheila Meredith
“Each foster teaches me something new too. It’s also an honor to be able to see them do things for the first time in their lives…seeing them swim at the beach for the first time, enjoying enrichment walks, playtimes, bones and kongs…it’s all such a joy. I have fostered 60 dogs and will do it as long as I am able to and needed. Fostering greyhounds is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. It’s so rewarding getting updates on how they are doing in their forever homes and knowing that I helped that dog and that family in some small way is a great feeling.” – Deb Levasseur
“I enjoy helping the new dogs get used to being in a home and I think fostering is a good first step for dogs right off the track. If you have never owned a grey it is nice to have one that has been fostered, if you already have one it is not necessary as you know the breed and know what to expect.” – Alison Cassie
“We foster because having other Greys with our boys is really good for their overall well being and for us it's nice to know we are the last stop on this long road to the fosters forever home.” – Carol Goudie
So, what have you got to lose? Honestly, nothing. Please, we encourage you to sign on, give it a go and see if it’s for you.
Contact Deb Levasseur at deblevasseur@rogers.com to sign on for fostering.
A POEM TO MY FOSTER DOG
BY Diane Morgan
I am the bridge,
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand.
I will love you with my whole heart.
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
when your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go-not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever--
A new dog needs me now.
BY Diane Morgan
I am the bridge,
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand.
I will love you with my whole heart.
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
when your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go-not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever--
A new dog needs me now.
