You can help by volunteering in so many different ways!

Dog Transport

This means driving down to pick up dogs (usually in the US), from Calgary to Grand Falls Montana OR from Vancouver Island or the Vancouver area to Bothel or Everett Washington. Once or twice a year we also need to get dogs from Calgary to Victoria.
You need to have a vanor SUV or large station wagon - something that will comfortably hold 3-6 big dogs (all dogs are muzzled during transport). Transport normally requires 2 people, one to drive and one to ride shotgun and make sure that none of the dogs 'helps' with the driving!

Fundraising

Your ideas or ours, we always need more money to help pay our vets. Garage sales, car washes, etc.

Organizing Meet and Greets

Volunteers needed in the Victoria area or up island and also in Calgary and surrounding area. You would need to contact greyhound owners (we provide contact info) and ensure people and dogs turn out to the event. More info can be provided.

Fostering of dogs straight from the race track

This is the most rewarding and also the most difficult task. You ideally need to either work from home or at least be able to come home at lunch to take the dog out so it is not crated more than 4 hours. The dogs must be kept on leash except when in fully fenced areas so a fenced yard is a definite plus for foster homes.

You must be able to separate your animals from the greyhound if that should become necessary. Example: we try to cat test the dogs but a quick test is not definitive. If your "cat safe" dog turns out not to be, you must still be able to foster it and keep the dog and cats separated. And (with some help from us) you will also train the dog NOT to chase the cat.

You will be teaching the greyhound how to be a 'regular' dog. How to negotiate stairs, all about windows and mirrors and slippery lino floors, what car rides are, and it will learn that it has a name. Remember these dogs are like aliens, they have never been in a house, gone for a walk in a park, or enjoyed a car ride. EVERYTHING is new to them. Having another dog is a big plus in fostering, as the greyhound will learn things much more quickly from your dog than from you (but it is not absolutely necessary). Keep your receipts for food costs etc and we will provide a tax receipt.

How do you go about becoming a foster parent? First look under Adoption Procedures on our site and print out the application form. Print FOSTERING on the top of the form, complete the form and mail it in (you do not need to include the deposit fee). One of our volunteers will come out and do a home visit and an education class. Greyhounds may only be in your home for 1-2 weeks but they could be there for several months depending on our applications. Foster homes always have first right of refusal so if you can't part with the dog, you can adopt it.

Other volunteer opportunities are also available such as doing home visits, education classes, distributing brochures, etc.