Could You Be a Foster Home for a RIGHT Greyhound?
There is a waiting list at RIGHT right now. Behind every name on it is a greyhound waiting for a warm bed, a kind face and a chance at a proper life. And the reason they are waiting is simple. We do not have enough foster homes.
If you have ever thought about fostering a dog but were not quite sure where to start, this post is for you.
Why Foster Homes Are Everything to RIGHT
RIGHT is not a rescue with a building, a kennel block or a central premises. We do not use kennels. We do not send dogs abroad. Every greyhound we help depends on a foster home.
That is not a figure of speech. It is the reality of how we work. RIGHT is a foster-based, volunteer-run organisation where every greyhound in our care lives in a real home with experienced fosterers before adoption.
Which means that when there are no foster homes available, we cannot take in more hounds. Full stop. RIGHT is foster-based, which means we cannot take a hound in until a home becomes available. The waiting list grows. The hounds wait longer. And that is a situation we want to change.
Urgent Foster Appeal
Fostering is not a side step. It is the essential bridge between where a hound has come from and where they are going. Without it, the whole process stops.
There Are Families Ready to Adopt Right Now
Here is something that might surprise you. RIGHT currently has a list of approved families who are ready and waiting to welcome a greyhound into their home. They have done their home checks. They have filled in their forms. They are ready.
But before any hound can go to their forever family, they need to come through a foster home first. Every greyhound ready for a forever home has already lived in a loving foster home. This allows our foster volunteers to understand each hound's personality, routines and needs before adoption.
Fostering is not a side step. It is the essential bridge between where a hound has come from and where they are going. Without it, the whole process stops.
What Fostering Actually Does for a Greyhound
Most greyhounds coming into RIGHT have never lived in a house before. The world of home life, with its soft floors, gentle sounds and human rhythms, is entirely new to them. While in foster care, greyhounds experience everyday home life. They learn about living indoors, navigating new spaces, tackling stairs, relaxing on sofas and enjoying toys and long naps.
That process of settling, learning and relaxing is what transforms a nervous hound into a confident companion. Your role is to help a hound gain confidence, feel safe and enjoy their first experiences of home life.
And the difference it makes is clear. Fostering saves lives. It gives greyhounds a safe and loving place to land and the best possible chance of long-term success. Every adopter who meets a RIGHT greyhound can see that difference straight away.
What Does Fostering Involve?
Fostering is a temporary commitment, not a permanent one. Most placements last between two and eight weeks, though this can vary depending on the hound and the circumstances.
During that time, here is what you are asked to do:
Offer a calm and welcoming space where your foster hound can settle.
Provide regular walks, a consistent routine and plenty of patience.
Send updates to the RIGHT team so we can build a picture of your hound's personality.
Be available for meet and greets when it is time to find their forever family.
That is it. You do not need to be an expert. You do not need years of experience with dogs. You just need to be kind, consistent and willing to learn alongside your hound.
Fostering is a big step. RIGHT volunteers are with you at every stage. We cover vet care and we are on hand with advice when you need it.
Do You Need a Garden?
Not necessarily. Many greyhounds are happy in flats. What matters most is a calm, loving space where they can settle. With regular walks, patience and kindness even the smallest flat can be a sanctuary. We match each greyhound to the foster home so the dog suits your set up and pace.
If you do have a garden, it needs to be fully enclosed and secure. Greyhounds are sighthounds with a strong instinct to chase, and a safe outdoor space makes all the difference.
Where Do We Need Foster Homes?
Right now we are particularly in need of foster homes in Dublin and Cork, as well as surrounding areas. We also welcome people who are willing to travel from time to time to help with transport.
If you are based somewhere else in Ireland and are interested in fostering, please do get in touch anyway. We will always do our best to work with you.
Foster Home Requirements
Here is a quick overview of what we look for in a foster home:
Located in Dublin, Cork or surrounding areas (or willing to travel).
If children are in the home, they should be aged eight or over and comfortable around dogs.
No small pets such as cats, rabbits or small animals. (Unless we have a cat/small dog friendly hound)
If there is a garden, it must be fully enclosed and secure. Small apartments work equally well.
Availability to commit to a temporary placement, usually two to eight weeks.
If you are not sure whether your home ticks all the boxes, just ask. We would rather have a conversation than have you rule yourself out unnecessarily.
How the Process Works
Getting started is straightforward. If you are considering fostering one of our hounds, start by filling out and submitting our fostering questionnaire so we can learn a bit about you and your home. Once we receive your questionnaire, our homing coordinator will get in touch for a friendly chat.
From there, we will arrange a home check and, when everything is ready, match you with a hound that suits your lifestyle and setup. The steps look like this:
Apply: Fill in the fostering questionnaire and tell us about your home and lifestyle.
Chat: Our homing coordinator will be in touch to answer your questions and talk through next steps.
Home check: A RIGHT volunteer will make sure everything is safe and ready.
Meet your hound: We agree on a date and your foster dog arrives.
Support: We check in regularly and are on hand whenever you need us.
Happily ever after: Your hound moves on to their forever family and you can choose to foster again, or even adopt.
Every foster home is a turning point. Every fosterer is part of a life changing story.
What If I Cannot Foster?
We completely understand that fostering is not possible for everyone right now. But there are still meaningful ways to help.
Share this post: The more people who see it, the more likely we are to find the foster homes we need.
Donate: RIGHT is entirely volunteer-run with no government funding. Every contribution helps us care for more hounds.
Spread the word: Tell people about greyhounds and what makes them such brilliant companions. Greyhounds are often misunderstood. They are not barky, bouncy or full of chaos. Most are calm, quiet and surprisingly shy when they first arrive home. They take life at their own pace with the odd zoomie. Greyhounds are sensitive, sweet and low-maintenance, with just enough oddball charm to keep you smiling.
Helping to change the way people think about greyhounds is one of the most valuable things anyone can do.
Ready to Open Your Door?
If you think you could offer a foster home, even for a short time, we would love to hear from you. Fill in the fostering questionnaire at www.adoptagreyhound.ie/fostering-process and we will take it from there.
Your help means more greyhounds get off the waiting list and into a home. And that is something worth being part of.
