Alkhe

That's the other side of the coin to this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/those-darn-dog-rescues-with-all-of-their-rules-and-questions-what-gives

:laugh: :thumbsup:

I sampled Rally O with Maggie - I watched some other dogs do it and thought bah, we can do this! Well. If the grass hadn't been trod on by hundreds of other people's and dog's feet, maybe. But wayyyyyyy too many smells for Maggie to concentrate on me asking her to do things in weird combinations! And then we were followed by Canine Coach and one of her champion standards.. :laugh:. It was fun though!

Is anyone else going? It started at 10.30 but I was lazy so we're just on our way now.. I'm short, dark hair and glasses with a scruffy black poodley mutt and a silver toy poodle with a terrible, really embarrassing home haircut that I did yesterday.. If you see us, say hi! Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

It's almost the difference between baking cookies for your friends or for a primary school fete or something, and opening a cookie shop. You can bake cookies and give them to your friends or sell them at a fete or something, but the requirements for doing that differ greatly to opening up a shop and selling them to the public. Even if it's just one shop with a little bit of floor space. It might seem disproportionate to have to think about insurance, business registration, food hygiene standards and preparation, documentation, council regulations and registration, body corporate issues, safety inspections.. If you just want to start a little business in a little shop, it might seem overkill to have to organise all of that, but it's vital, and doing it imperfectly or not doing it all will bite you in the arse, and may have adverse consequences for other small business owners and food sellers. The reason there ARE so many regulations and checks and balances, and why people will get uall up in arms about it being a nanny state etc etc, is a result of that. That's the best parallel I can think of while I'm sweltering in this ridiculous heat at the moment :laugh: .

Just to clarify (not sure if this is what you were saying or not, sorry if I'm wrong!) but we didn't have them removed. Just cut open (tiny cut) and flushed out. Oh oops - sorry! I misread. :)

FHRP, do you know if Optimmune actually cure dry eye, or is it a treatment that the dog is likely to be on forever? Sorry to hijack, juice!

I totally agree, the same thing happened with my older dog when she was about 8. One anal gland has been removed and ever since, we've had no problems at all with the other one. ETA - I also read somewhere that poodles (and I'm sure other breeds) are quite pre-disposed to having issues with expressing anal glands due to their structure. I'm not sure exactly what it is about their physiology but for whatever reason, the glands are so situated that it can be a problem. I do'nt remember where I read this (perhaps the vet told me?) but a quick google didn't herald much but this: http://www.k911.biz/Petsafety/AnalGlands.htm "It also seems that smaller dogs or obese dogs are predisposed to this problem. In particular, small Poodles, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians have a high incidence of anal gland problems."

Greylvr, you have to understand that the people in this forum are obviously so engaged in this issue because they care, and have trod this path many times before. There are people here who have had to pick up the pieces when someone's good intentions have gone awry - THAT is why this thread is 9 pages long, and people are emotional. I would never throw water on a dog's face, and I wouldn't foster for GAP either. I have issues with a lot of things about GAP - I can't speak for everyone here but I brought them up because they are a well established, INDUSTRY ALIGNED group. If you are going to enter hte greyhound space in any capacity, you HAVE to understand how the industry works. Greyhound racing (and most greyhound breeding in Australia) is intimitely connected with the industry, and GAP is part and parce of that. I don't like a lot of their policies, and for that reason I wouldn't give them money, time or foster for them. BUT you need to KNOW about them. I support GSN because I think they do fantastic work - I agree with their policies and have been "following" them for years. If you aren't going to consider fostering for them because people on here like them, I'm at a loss for words. It's just petty and ill informed.

Pretty sure most greyhound people would agree with you there. Definitely gsn. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I actually don't hold GAP in particularly high regard, but my reasons aren't really relevant here. Another rescue isn't necessarily going to help more dogs than those people fostering for an existing group. That's my point. If your aim is to really help the most dogs, a new rescue isn't a priori going to do that. You need carers, etc. That's where the helping comes in. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I don't want to labour the point but I also don't quite understand why you want to start a new group either - you said that you explained this a few pages back, but all I got from that was that when you had been involved in other groups, some dogs were sent to inappropriate homes/foster carers. I do understand that that might be why you wouldn't want to be involved with a particular group (there are lots of rescues that I would never want to be aligned with!) but it's more a point against a particular group, than a reason to start a new one. ETA - there is definitely a need to save more greyhounds! Neither I, nor anyone else here would ever dispute that! But to me, that doesn't necessitate a new group, particularly when a big, established and reputable one is already in Mornington. The same aim could be achieved by joining with htthem. I'm really trying to help with due diligence etc, I think you may be surprised at the response you get from GAP if you want to work with them in the way that it seems to be envisaged.

So true. These two established groups have good systems and the more foster carers they have the more dogs they can place. The most efficient way for more greyhounds to be saved is to work with the groups who are doing it well and pool resources for promotion and administration. :thumbsup:

Oh these are awesome thanks. I am toying with the idea of putting all the rescue dogs thru the greenhounds program I know there is one in Victoria but I cant for the life of me find it right now. I know in some states you can do in home training and then have them tested but in Victoria I am sure they need to go to a kennel for a week so still looking into that. What do you think? Worth it to be able to send the dogs out with a green collar or better to let the owners go through it with their pets? We have one adopter who moved to Victoria and she's having her girl assessed through GAP. As far as I know, this does involve the dog being kenneled there for some amount of time but I'm not sure of the exacts. I don't think Victoria has quite the same thing as NSW but it's worth seeing if you can become an approved assessor. Greyhound Safety Net would be best able to answer questions there. Perhaps send them a PM. http://gap.grv.org.au/Portals/16/GAP%20Fact%20Sheets/GAP%20Fact%20Sheet%20New%20Green-Collar%20Assesments.pdf They have to stay there for a week :) There's a wait though, to get them in. Another thing to consider is that if you put all your greyhounds through the Greenhound assessment, in addition to the cost ($150 non-refundable) it will add to the waiting list for dogs that will go through GAP. Ie, for every dog that has safe backup with a rescue and goes through it, one that doesn't can't. It isn't as simple as that I'm sure, but it's just another thing to think about. I suppose it depends on what your aims are for the rescue you operate. If your aim is to get as many dogs into good homes as possible, it may be better to spend money, time and effort elsewhere. One of the good things about greyhound rescues is that they are able to pick up dogs that fall through the cracks, and end up in pounds/on gumtree etc, rather than going through GAP. GAP only takes on so many, and there is a waiting list for that as well, which is a deterrent for some owners/trainers. I suppose it depends on your I'm not saying that it's a bad idea, just .. there are a lot of elements to think about, I guess. Also, I really don't mean to be rude, but it sounds like there are a few things to think about before you set it up. Whether to register as a charity, what that means and requires.. there are a lot of things to get your head around, and it's not for the faint hearted. Greyhound Safety Net are based in Mornington already and I'm sure they are always in need of foster carers - I've never seen a rescue that couldn't use a few extra hands, PARTICULARLY if they are able to foster.. Perhaps it would be better to join with an established group and foster and get involved in the running of that before starting your own? I know I said this in another thread a few days ago, about starting a rescue, but I really do think there is value in helping existing groups rather than having a lot of smaller ones. The less competition there is between groups who have broadly the same aims (ie, to help greyhounds), teh better - you don't want to have to fight for people's attention, money, support, time, effort.. and it will invariably happen, because an organisation is an organisation is an organisation. Each has aims and requirements, and particularly when they're involved in dog rescue, there is always a need for more money for vet fees, transport, marketing, .. everything. The less double up there is in terms of admin and overheads among people who want to work for the same thing, the more each dollar can do. Kay's Greys is another Melbourne based greyhound rescue group - I fostered for Kay in a former life, when she was part of Greyhound Rescue. Which is Sydney based but had a branch in Vic at the time (not sure if it still does). There are others too, perhaps get in contact with them and see what would be really helpful for them? I do understand the desire to do it yourself and run things your way, etc etc- trust me, I'm an introverted control freak. But I just often see little rescues starting up here and there and think, all the time and money spent trying to establish yourself could've gone so much further. If the aim is to get more dogs into good homes, a critical mass is a really good thing. If the general public need to know more about waht great pets greyhounds can make (and I think they do!), then if people worked together to get that message out, it's better than each group trying to get their own name known. It's better to have a broader focus, I suppose, and focus on the bigger picture. Despite all of that - if it's possible to become a Greenhjound assessor that would be BRILLIANT. You could do SO, so much good work for all sorts of people. I'm sure all greyhound rescue organisations would love the chance to get their hounds assessed without the requirement that they send them away, pay $150, (and in most cases, I doubt they want to co-operate and give $$ to the industry....). I really don't want to be a mean, rude person to come and burst your bubble, but I really, really love greyhounds.. I guess I just think in many cases, people's time and effort would be better spent bolstering the things already in existence instead of starting new ones. There are very good points but I have fostered in the past and just had too many bad experiences. Dogs placed in homes I didnt think were acceptable and had no say. Rescues knowing I had children sending me dogs that were not good with kids, being stuck with vet bills that the rescue should have paid but never did. I ran a successful rescue for 11 years and love it. I am very picky on where my dogs go, I had humane societies shipping me dogs that would be put down if I didnt work with them. Some took 6 months to a year to rehab but I was very successful. I have seen rescues bad mouth the race dog owners and I do not think that is the proper way to help these dogs. I want the dogs to come from the track to a home where they are worked with to get over fears and learn to live with a family. I dont ever plan to board a dog or have them in kennels, just a nice warm house :) I just want to be a small organization that helps dogs. I have a trainer that is willing to send me the dogs they can no longer keep and she may have friends too that need our help. I want to focus on ex racers and getting them into a retirement home instead of them being euthanized. On the other subject I may look into becoming an assessor it would be great to be able to offer this service free to rescues, I think it would go a long way to helping more greyhounds than just those that find themselves at my house. Ahh, I didn't realise you'd actually run one before! I wasn't trying to pick on your personally, just like.. they're general things for people to think about, I guess :)

While I'd agree with you on most of those points, it does depend on whether or not the rescue plans to do anything different to existing groups. There's another greyhound rescue group down here but we operate very differently and with different goals. I could have just fostered for them but I have vastly different ideas as to what makes an ethical group and there would have been conflict (to put it nicely :p ). Obviously this might not apply to Greylvr's case but it's something to bear in mind. I know there are a few groups who keep dogs mostly kenneled but some adopters might prefer dogs who have actually lived in a home environment- I know I certainly would. Yep - totally agree. And I also agree on the home environment thing, I would definitely rather a dog that had lived in one, particularly since I have a small dog. I don't know that much about GSN - basically I have read their website.. but if I were to foster Greys again, I would go straight to them. If you were situated on the other side of Melbourne, it might even be a different story, but GSN is based in Mornington anyway. One of the things that would prevent me from starting a rescue is establishing what happens when it all goes pear shaped. What if you rehomed a dog and it killed the family's other pet? Or bit someone? What happens if they destroy a foster carer's couch? Or if a foster carer (or 2, or 3) change their mind, have to go away, have a family crisis? Who is going to do the temp testing? What kind of behavioural issues are you prepared to deal with? And what kind of support (physical, financial, emotional, etc) are you prepared to offer the foster carers? What if something happens and a bunch of re-homed dogs come back on to your door stop. What if you find out 6 months down the track that it was a terrible idea, you're in over your head and are responsible for a bunch of dogs? How much money do you have as a back up? I'm playing the devil's advocate, I know, but the worst-case scenarios really have to be one of the first things you work out, I think.

Oh these are awesome thanks. I am toying with the idea of putting all the rescue dogs thru the greenhounds program I know there is one in Victoria but I cant for the life of me find it right now. I know in some states you can do in home training and then have them tested but in Victoria I am sure they need to go to a kennel for a week so still looking into that. What do you think? Worth it to be able to send the dogs out with a green collar or better to let the owners go through it with their pets? We have one adopter who moved to Victoria and she's having her girl assessed through GAP. As far as I know, this does involve the dog being kenneled there for some amount of time but I'm not sure of the exacts. I don't think Victoria has quite the same thing as NSW but it's worth seeing if you can become an approved assessor. Greyhound Safety Net would be best able to answer questions there. Perhaps send them a PM. http://gap.grv.org.au/Portals/16/GAP%20Fact%20Sheets/GAP%20Fact%20Sheet%20New%20Green-Collar%20Assesments.pdf They have to stay there for a week :) There's a wait though, to get them in. Another thing to consider is that if you put all your greyhounds through the Greenhound assessment, in addition to the cost ($150 non-refundable) it will add to the waiting list for dogs that will go through GAP. Ie, for every dog that has safe backup with a rescue and goes through it, one that doesn't can't. It isn't as simple as that I'm sure, but it's just another thing to think about. I suppose it depends on what your aims are for the rescue you operate. If your aim is to get as many dogs into good homes as possible, it may be better to spend money, time and effort elsewhere. One of the good things about greyhound rescues is that they are able to pick up dogs that fall through the cracks, and end up in pounds/on gumtree etc, rather than going through GAP. GAP only takes on so many, and there is a waiting list for that as well, which is a deterrent for some owners/trainers. I suppose it depends on your I'm not saying that it's a bad idea, just .. there are a lot of elements to think about, I guess. Also, I really don't mean to be rude, but it sounds like there are a few things to think about before you set it up. Whether to register as a charity, what that means and requires.. there are a lot of things to get your head around, and it's not for the faint hearted. Greyhound Safety Net are based in Mornington already and I'm sure they are always in need of foster carers - I've never seen a rescue that couldn't use a few extra hands, PARTICULARLY if they are able to foster.. Perhaps it would be better to join with an established group and foster and get involved in the running of that before starting your own? I know I said this in another thread a few days ago, about starting a rescue, but I really do think there is value in helping existing groups rather than having a lot of smaller ones. The less competition there is between groups who have broadly the same aims (ie, to help greyhounds), teh better - you don't want to have to fight for people's attention, money, support, time, effort.. and it will invariably happen, because an organisation is an organisation is an organisation. Each has aims and requirements, and particularly when they're involved in dog rescue, there is always a need for more money for vet fees, transport, marketing, .. everything. The less double up there is in terms of admin and overheads among people who want to work for the same thing, the more each dollar can do. Kay's Greys is another Melbourne based greyhound rescue group - I fostered for Kay in a former life, when she was part of Greyhound Rescue. Which is Sydney based but had a branch in Vic at the time (not sure if it still does). There are others too, perhaps get in contact with them and see what would be really helpful for them? I do understand the desire to do it yourself and run things your way, etc etc- trust me, I'm an introverted control freak. But I just often see little rescues starting up here and there and think, all the time and money spent trying to establish yourself could've gone so much further. If the aim is to get more dogs into good homes, a critical mass is a really good thing. If the general public need to know more about waht great pets greyhounds can make (and I think they do!), then if people worked together to get that message out, it's better than each group trying to get their own name known. It's better to have a broader focus, I suppose, and focus on the bigger picture. Despite all of that - if it's possible to become a Greenhjound assessor that would be BRILLIANT. You could do SO, so much good work for all sorts of people. I'm sure all greyhound rescue organisations would love the chance to get their hounds assessed without the requirement that they send them away, pay $150, (and in most cases, I doubt they want to co-operate and give $$ to the industry....). I really don't want to be a mean, rude person to come and burst your bubble, but I really, really love greyhounds.. I guess I just think in many cases, people's time and effort would be better spent bolstering the things already in existence instead of starting new ones.

Totally agree. I can't suggest a trainer but I know from experience that if you put a dog with a propensity to bark at other dogs (especially while on lead) with ANOTHER dog like that.. barking will ensue :laugh: . It can be overwhelming trying to get one to stop when they're both going off, and it's much easier to get one's attention to redirect it, than two little barking dogs. My mum's dog Gretel is a yapper, and my Maggie turns into a hellish little yapper if she's with Gretel. Even if one even sees another dog outside the car window, they'll just go mental. And Maggie is not like that when she's by herself, or with my other dog!

Seems like this is just going to create another thread like the axed ones.

I imagine it gets even worse just AFTER christmas too - and in the early months of the year. The novelty of Christmas puppies wearing off etc.. ?

It's just heartbreaking, isn't it? I have actually gone from thinking that I'll never get a puppy but will always get adult dogs.. to being perfectly happy to just take on seniors :) Maybe my mind will change at some point, but for the foreseeable future it seems like the right option for us.

Awwwwww :D

I wish mine got the memo about needing to try and stay cool! My older girl keeps going outside to lie in the sun - I've got no idea how she can stand it, because I can't even walk on the ground out there. I went to pick her up and bring her in and had to run back and hyperventilate from the pain! How her belly stands it, I'll never know.. she's totally uninterested in anything I try and do to cool her down!

A friend of mine from another forum has a cat with 3 legs, one of which was also amputated as a youngster (can't remember why..) and he does fine. I've never had cats and haven't ever had anything to do with them, so I'm not sure how much more an impact it would have on an older cat. It could be that my friend's one does fine because he was just a little tacker when it was done. Their cats all have access to a brilliant outdoor cat run thing, so he's in no danger of being attacked or being unable to defend himself should he need to. I imagine that would be a main concern, otherwise?

I'd look at seeing whether you can set up perhaps an 'arm' of an established group, that can foster for their organisation, even if it's a Canberra based one that isn't geographically close to you. Particularly at the start. Being able to tap into existing expertise, networks, supporters, etc.. that's the kind of thing that makes a great rescue, or enables a rescue to do really good things. While more foster carers and rescue is great, I do think that sometimes a better job and outcomes could be had if there were less 'competition'. Of course nobody purposefully tries to compete, but it's inevitable when everybody has limited time and space in their mind and budget for supporting rescue. It's just an unintended consequence - rescue takes $$ and time. If you can concentrate more on assisting dogs in need, rather than all the overheads and establishment issues and costs etc (and time is money! and effort that could be put elsewhere), the outcomes will be better for everybody. Just my opinion, of course.

Any news Nic? Hope it went well