China is ready to go to a permanent placement, provided she will get some help with housebreaking. She is using paper right now, and is anxious to please. China doesn't appear to see very well, and I haven't had an opportunity to speak with the vet who looked at her eyes; she also has a strange behavior which involves her hind legs. She frequently stretches one and then the other to the rear, then acts as though she feels better. When she came to us her hocks were swollen, and she had some swelling in her feet, both of which I attributed to living in a wire cage for several years. All swelling is now gone, but she still does the stretching thing. China has a perfectly wonderful disposition. She is friendly, and trusting - willing to approach strangers - and absolutely never snappish. She could easily go to a home with gentle, older kids. She weighs about 10 pounds, and is probably 14 1/2 inches tall.
Gilda could be adopted by anyone on this list with good results, but isn't a dog to be placed with a person lacking in IGGY experience. She is sweet and loving, but very, very, very soft and easily frightened. She is a tall, elegant, gorgoeous, solid blue with very fine bone, about 16" in height, and probably weighs 9 - 10 pounds. Her head and neck are so lovely that I'm sure that she'll eventually be one of Myra's models. When she is excited, one of her ears goes up, and she is absolutely adorable. I think that she'll be one of those iggies who picks a person and then attaches herself as a permanent shadow. Gilda is wonderful!!!!
Godiva is so lovely that she could easily grace a book cover, but is still having a very hard time with human contact. She is about China's height or a little taller, but much more refined, and doesn't weigh more than 71/2 or 8 pounds. She is intriqued by Kim and I, but terrified at the same time. If we hold our hands out to her, she never fails to touch and sniff, but pulls back if we try to do more. She hasn't made any effort to nip since the day she arrived - and at that time she had a good opportunity to bite, but didn't. Godiva is a connoissuer's iggy; she'll take more time than the others, but the prize in the end will be worth it. I wish I could be there the day she decides to trust someone!
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ITALIAN GREYHOUND SAFEHOUSE ALLIANCE
APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION
THANK YOU for your interest in adopting a wonderful, "recycled" Italian Greyhound through The Italian Greyhound Safehouse Alliance.
Please read and complete the following. The more details you can provide, the better we will be able to match your situation and preferences with the appropriate Italian Greyhound. All applications will be kept on file for one (1) year. IGSA is privately operated and funded, with Safehouses located throughout the country. We do not seek nor receive financial support from any local or national breed clubs. We do,
however, forward applications to other reputable rescue organizations if we determine that there is an IG match more suitable for you available elsewhere. We believe that not every Italian Greyhound is right for every home, but that there IS a home somewhere that IS perfect for every Italian Greyhound. We are committed to appropriate placements and happy lifelong outcomes. Thank you for taking the time to help us with this information. Use as much space as you need.
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PART I (Personal Data)
NAME(S):
ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE/ZIP:
(Would you be able to travel to ____________ for your IG ?)
TELEPHONE: (day) (evening)
REFERRED BY:
Number of ADULTS in household:
Age(s):
Occupation(s):
Do all adults work outside of the home full time ?
Approximately how many hours each day would your new pet be home alone ?
Number of CHILDREN in household:
Sex and Age of each:
Which member of your household is most interested in adopting an IG?
Which member is least interested ?
Who in the family would be the primary caretaker of this pet ?
Does anyone in your household have known animal allergies ?
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PART II (Home Environment)
Which of the following best describes your current residence ?
single-family home
apartment
condominium
other (describe)
Do you own or rent your home ?
If rent, what are the lease provisions concerning pets ?
Do you have your landlord's written consent to own and keep a dog on the
premises?
If own, are there any restrictive covenants concerning pets ?
How large is your yard ?
Is it securely fenced ? How high ? Fencing material ?
Can your gate(s) be opened from the outside ?
Can children open the gates ?
Do you have/intend to install a doggie door ?
If you have a pool, is it securely fenced off from the portion of the yard to which pets have access ?
If you do not have a fenced yard, what provisions do you plan to make for your IG's exercise and elimination needs ?
Where will your IG spend the majority of his daytime hours ?
Where will he sleep ?
Do you plan to use a crate ? Why or why not ?
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PART III (Pet History)
Have you ever owned an Italian Greyhound before ?
How long ?
If he/she is no longer with you, what happened to him ?
Do you have any experience with the sighthound breeds? (Please describe)
If you currently have other pets, please describe each as to kind, age, sex, and whether neutered/spayed.
Are your present pets current with their immunizations ?
Is your current dog/dogs on heartworm preventive ?
How many months per year ?
If you have had pets in the past that are no longer with you, what happened to them?
Have you ever found it necessary to surrender an animal to a shelter, rescue, or humane organization ? If so, please describe the situation.
Do you have a regular veterinarian ? How long ?
Name:
Address:
Phone #: ( )
(references are checked)
Do you have a groomer or trainer you wish to use as a reference ?
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PART IV (This Adoption)
Why do you want an Italian Greyhound rather than another breed ?
What other breeds interest you ?
Do you plan to pursue any activities with your IG ?
Are you likely to enroll in an obedience or other class ?
From what sources did you learn what you know about this breed ?
Do you have a preference as to sex ? If so, why ?
Do you have a preference as to color ?
What age dog are you wishing for and why ?
Could you accept an abused dog, a senior dog, or a dog with special needs or medications, for example thyroid meds or phenobarb for seizures ?
If so, please describe any experience you have which makes you feel
equipped to love a special needs dog.
Could you work patiently with a dog who still needs some housetraining help ?
Are you agreeable to a home visit by us or another authorized Italian Greyhound representative ?
Have you placed an application for an IG with any other rescue groups ?
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PART V (References)
Please list three references who might offer additional reasons why a rescued Italian Greyhound would be one "lucky dog" to end up in your home for the rest of his life !
Name:
Address:
Phone: ( )
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Name:
Address:
Phone: ( )
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Name:
Address:
Phone: ( )
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CONTRACT AND DONATION:
IGSA places rescued Italian Greyhounds only on signed Adoption Contracts which provide that if for any reason, ever, you are unable to keep this Italian Greyhound, you will return him/her to us via the nearest IGSA rescue representative. We feel a lifelong responsibility for the lives which pass through our doors.
All dogs placed by us have been vet-checked, spayed/neutered, treated for any known health conditions, have up-to-date Rabies and DHLPP vaccinations, and in most cases have had a dental cleaning and extractions, if required. We fully disclose to you as much of the dog's history as is known to us, as well as any medical or behavioral problems of which we are aware.
We will remain in as close contact as you find helpful in the first few days/weeks of your placement. After that, we'd really appreciate at least a semi-annual update and a picture from time to time. (We love to hear about our rescues in their new families !)
We request a $150 donation toward the medical rehab expenses of your rescued IG. This donation will allow us to continue providing veterinary care and rehabilitation to the most special of special-needs dogs.
THANK YOU for taking the time to fill out this questionnaire. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
ITALIAN GREYHOUND SAFEHOUSE ALLIANCE
_____________'s Safehouse