Adoption Process for Missouri / Kansas Italian Greyhound Rescue
1. Research, research, research… Most dogs are in our program because someone did not do their research and got the wrong breed.
2. Fill out our adoption application (two different formats of the application form are available below) and email to Rescue Representative Deb Pankau at kellersmom@hotmail.com. Please keep your application for your records, in case it’s needed for the foster home, other reps who might have a dog for you, it gets lost, etc.
3. Follow up, follow up, follow up… we are all volunteers and are very busy working with foster dogs, adopters, potential adopters and most of us have a “real” job too. You, the person looking for just one dog will need to do the legwork and follow up on your application.
4. Once your application is approved, we will contact your references and then conduct a phone interview with you where we will talk with you about your application and any questions or concerns we have.
5. The next step is an in-home visit where volunteers and one or more of their Italian Greyhounds meet with everyone in the adopting family. We use this visit to learn what the family is looking for in a dog, the safety of the home environment, as well as getting to know any other pets the family may have.
6. After the home visit is completed, we will put you in touch with the foster home of the dog we feel is a good match for you and your lifestyle. The foster home has trained and lived with the dog so this conversation will help both the foster home and you determine if a good match was made. If everything works out, you will continue to work with the foster home to determine the time and place for adoption.
7. Once the adoption date has been set, you’ll want to spend the time you have preparing for your new arrival. All our dogs are crate trained before placement except in extenuating circumstances, so chances are you’ll need to purchase a crate, bowls, dog beds, collar, leash, nail clippers, food, treats, kong and other toys.
8. Adoptions can take between 1 – 3 hours depending on how much information the foster home has for you and if you like to talk about dogs as much as we do! Our foster homes have taken special care of your new family member usually crate training, obedience training and housetraining. The information they have for you at adoption can be very valuable in making sure the transition to your home is smooth for both you and the dog.
9. Follow up, follow up, follow up… please keep us updated on your Italian Greyhound’s progress. We want to know how things are going before there is a problem. Our foster homes and rescue representatives are always available to help you and your adopted Italian Greyhound over come any training problem. We want the match to work out as much as you do, for your sake and the dog.