1. Going Home Greyhounds History: Going Home Greyhounds (GHG) is an all volunteer, non-profit greyhound adoption organization that was founded by Jane Drellow and Ruth Patrick in 1995. GHG became incorporated in August of 1997 and acquired its 501C3 status for 2002. It now takes the cooperation of a dedicated group of people on a daily basis to keep up with all aspects of adoption demands. Before going “green”, our quarterly newsletter mailing reached over 800 people.
2. Racing Policy: While we agree that each volunteer has every right to his or her feelings relative to racing, GHG is not an anti-racing organization. When representing GHG in any capacity please do not put forth your personal political views. If someone is pressing you to talk about the negative side of racing, you might want to point them over to the photo book, and move on with the conversation. It is best to answer with “I’m not sure” than to give a wrong answer all together. If you would like to discuss any of these issues further or are asked a question you are not sure how to respond to, please call one of our Meet and Greet Coordinators.
3. Greyhounds: As much as we welcome everyone’s desire to volunteer, you need to ask yourself if your greyhound will enjoy this as well as make a suitable meet and greet helper. Does your greyhound seem comfortable around strange people? Is your dog safe with small animals approaching them? Will they tolerate small children hugging, pulling, or sitting with them? Are they space intolerant and growl? This should be a fun day for you as well as your grey, not to mention the liability issues at hand. Remember that you can be fined $300 on the spot if you do not have your county license tags on your dogs collar! Please make sure you have the correct type of collar on your greyhound (martingale or humane choke).
4. Attire: Looking as uniform as possible makes us appear more professional. GHG has multiple styles of t-shirts and sweatshirts available for purchase when you start volunteering. Just contact one of our Meet and Greet Coordinators!
5. Schedule: If you have any questions regarding your schedule, need to change your day, or simply can’t make it, please call the Meet and Greet Coordinator ASAP!!!!! We also need to know if you plan on bringing an extra person or dog along because some store managers or event organizers limit us to only two dogs and two people. Please refrain from coming to any Meet and Greet location with your dog(s) unless you are scheduled to volunteer at that event. Our liability insurance only covers those people and events that we have scheduled. If you are scheduled for a specific shift, we would appreciate it if you stay the entire time so no one is left alone. Please don’t take it personally if you haven’t been scheduled for a Meet and Greet in a few months, we have over 70 volunteers that need to be rotated into the schedule. Feel free to call and remind us when you are available because there are always last minute scheduling changes and hearing from you lets us know you’re really interested. If you have ideas of new places to hold Meet and Greets or advertising contacts, please let us know!
6. Where to Stand: The general public must be able to access our pamphlets and entire table. Please stand off to the side, stay close to the table, and keep in mind that you are more approachable when you are standing rather than sitting. Many people are simply casual browsers and are only interested in looking at pictures or petting the dogs, so please try to refrain from using a “salesman technique” or telling too many stories about your own dog, unless of course you’re asked.
7. Keep Answers General: We have found in the past that placement seems to improve (dog not being returned) if we are not so extreme in our opinions about how perfect this breed is for adoption. Of course we all think greyhounds are the ultimate companions, but not all are as easy to adjust to home life as others, and not everyone may be as willing to work through transitional problems. Be aware that all greyhounds may not behave exactly like yours and try to make that a point when answering questions (i.e. “My dog does this “______” but not all greyhounds may be like mine”). Let people know that we try to learn as much as possible about each dog in foster care so we may match the right dog with the right family. It’s helpful for the more seriously interested adopter to know that some dogs go through separation anxiety when being left alone if they do not have other pets or work long hours, and that not all of them are good around small children or small animals. If you do not know how to answer a question, please don’t hesitate to just say “I don’t know.” No information is better than misinformation! Feel free when you get home to call and ask what an appropriate answer may be for the next time.
8. Fellow Volunteers: The first time you participate in a Meet and Greet, you will be scheduled with one of our trainers. These are people who have been doing volunteer work for a long time and gives you an opportunity to find out if doing Meet and Greets are something you and your grey are even going to enjoy (please contact us if you are interested in becoming a trainer). It’s a time to listen to the trainers interact with the public and for you to ask any questions so you may feel comfortable representing GHG. If you choose to keep doing Meet and Greets in the future, you may be paired up with someone you know very well or someone you have never met before. If you are concerned about the way a fellow volunteer is answering questions, etc. please contact one of the Meet and Greet Coordinators or your trainer. It is very discrediting if the groups representatives (you) are answering the same questions with different answers. The coordinators can’t be at every event to monitor how things are going, so please use your best adult judgment on how to handle issues that may arise (please try not to correct someone in front of a crowd, are you so sure you have the right answer?). Also remember that one-on-one contact is best with the public. As eager as you all are to answer questions, b>please try not to gang up on potential adopters. If another volunteer asks you a question, by all means answer it, then back away.
9. Donations: If you notice someone putting a donation in the canister, please thank them. Please be sure to leave the donation bin securely on the table so people can get to it easily and remember to keep it in your sight. If someone asks you what the donation money is used for, you can tell them it is used for foster dog care and helps defray our operating expenses. You can re-read the tri-fold pamphlet if you have forgotten, and reassure people that everyone involved with GHG is a volunteer – there are no paid positions. Last, but not least, please refrain from counting the money until you are home.
10. Store or Event Managers: Please be considerate of store managers and event organizers who have made it possible for us to hold our Meet and Greets. Their customers are their source of income! Please be sure not to block the flow of traffic through doorways or aisles, as well as any product displays near the table. Always remember to thank them at the end of the day for letting us be there.
11. Remember it is our job during a Meet and Greet to educate the public about greyhounds and that there are thousands available for adoption. It is always helpful to read (or re-read) our pamphlets that are on display and such books as Lee Livingwood’s Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies or Cynthia Branigans Adopting the Retired Racing Greyhound. Livingoods book can now be purchased from the volunteer coordinator or at Meet and Greets for $15. GHG requires that prospective adopters read Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies before sending in the application. We also recommend that people send in the application when they feel they are ready to bring a dog home within a month or less. Don’t ever hesitate to call with any questions, problems, concerns, stories, etc. (no matter how big or small). You are the link between the public and adoption.

Thank you for all your help!