Queensland youngster loves fostering greyhounds

By Jordan Gerrans

As far as fostering greyhounds goes, one Queensland youngster might just take the cake for being one of the most prolific in the state.

Scarlett and her family have taken on nine greyhounds over the last few years.

Queensland’s Greyhound Adoption Program foster carers provide temporary in-home care for dogs that would benefit from some time in a home environment prior to adoption.

When a potential foster carer applies to be involved in the program, the GAP team takes their environment into consideration and can match the person with a dog that is best suited to their home.

At just 12 years of age, Scarlett and her South East Queensland-based family have welcomed all different types of dogs into their home.

They have had former race dogs, recent broodbitches as well as greyhounds who never made it to the track.

The greyhound enthusiast fosters the greyhounds while providing retired racers with social and enrichment opportunities to lead to successful adoptions.

“We have fostered greyhounds for over three years and had some great funny characters,” Scarlett said.

“We have had young greyhounds who never raced like Stevie, who was full of energy, to a nine-year-old in Lily who had had puppies and was very relaxed.

“The GAP foster officer is really nice and always messages to check in on the dogs”

In recent years, Scarlett has welcomed Trudie (who raced as Mad As), Lana (Dream A Lot), Sparkles (Lilly’s Sparkles), Dayna (Farmor Savvy) and Stevie, who did not make it to the track, into her home. 

A period of foster care can provide an opportunity to adjust from life as a racing athlete to a family pet and lead to successful adoptions.

“It’s hard to say goodbye to foster greyhounds but knowing they are going to their forever homes is always great and means we can get another foster,” Scarlett said.

“It’s so hard to pick a favourite; Sparkles with her funny smile, Lana was very pretty and Trudie was really funny.

“I really like all the different personalities, they all like to sleep a lot, some play more than others, but they get very excited when I get home from school.

“I like to foster because it's like we always get a new dog and then when they go to their forever homes it makes me happy”

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month and Racing Queensland will highlight a number of former race dogs thriving in retirement throughout the month.

Click here to meet greyhounds available for adoption or apply online to foster or adopt.