Greyhound adoption process for homes with cats

All greyhounds undergo their GAP Green Collar Assessment prior to being made available for adoption. Our Behaviour Team also carefully evaluates each greyhound and assesses whether they believe the greyhound may be potentially cat-friendly based on behavioural indicators, history, and overall temperament, however we do not have cats onsite for direct testing during this assessment.

Once your completed adoption application and required photos are received, GAP’s Foster Coordinator will contact you to finalise your application. Greyhounds assessed as potentially cat-friendly will be matched with approved adoption applicants who are specifically waiting for a greyhound suitable for a home with cats.

Due to the limited number of greyhounds assessed as potentially cat-friendly, there can be longer wait times to find the most suitable match. Our priority is to ensure the safest and most appropriate placement, and this may require patience while the right greyhound becomes available. We also match each greyhound’s temperament to the individual household to ensure the best possible outcome.

Once a suitable match has been identified:

• you will receive an email notification with a link to the greyhound’s profile on the GAP website
• there will be several weeks between being matched and a scheduled home placement, allowing you time to prepare everything needed for your new greyhound.

We offer a foster-to-adopt arrangement with a four-week trial period. This allows:

• the greyhound and cat(s) time to adjust
• the family to assess compatibility
• ongoing behavioural assessment.

For the duration of the foster-to-adopt period, a loan muzzle will be provided for use within the home when required around your cat(s). This muzzle must be returned upon finalisation of the adoption. No additional equipment is supplied during the foster-to-adopt period.

Home placements are conducted Monday to Friday. On the day of placement, the Foster Coordinator will send you a text message when departing the GAP kennels. This provides you with an estimated time of their arrival, and ensures you have adequate time to secure your cat(s) prior to their arrival.

Typically, arrival times are planned for around 1pm to 1.30pm. This arrival timeframe is important. Should the cat introduction not proceed safely, and the Foster Coordinator does not feel the pairing manageable, this timing allows sufficient time to return the greyhound to the GAP kennels prior to closing for the day.

On the day of home placement, all cat(s) must be secured in a safe, enclosed room before the greyhound arrives. This helps create a calm, controlled environment and supports a smooth introduction process.

Suitable rooms include:

• a bathroom or laundry
• or another room with minimal hiding spaces.

The initial introduction between your greyhound and cat(s) will be conducted by the Foster Coordinator at the time of home placement.  This process is completed to ensure the safety of all animals and to assess the greyhound’s behaviour in a real home environment, with cats present. The cat introduction must be completed as part of the placement process in order for the greyhound to stay.

During this introduction:

• the greyhound will be placed on their lead, and fitted with a muzzle
• the environment will remain calm and controlled.

Home placement is conducted with the intention that the greyhound will remain with you from that day forward. However, if the greyhound displays strong or concerning signs of prey drive during the introduction, and the Foster Coordinator does not feel the situation is safe or manageable, the greyhound will not be left in the home. The safety of both the greyhound and your cat(s) is our priority.

We are committed to supporting you throughout the foster-to-adopt period. Our goal is to support both you and your animals to ensure a safe and successful transition.

We provide:

• advice and guidance
• check-in contact during the trial period
• follow-up visits, when necessary.

We appreciate your willingness to provide a responsible and caring home to a greyhound and look forward to working with you during your adoption journey.