Victoria’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) has reached a milestone today with the 500th rehomed dog successfully completing foster care at the State’s HM Tarrengower Prison in Victoria’s Goldfields region.
The GAP-Corrections Victoria Prison Pet Partnership program sees up to four foster dogs at a time being placed within the prison system in preparation for their forever home.
The program, which started in 2009 allows inmates to play a vital role in socialising greyhounds and preparing them ready for adoption. This includes familiarising them with stairs, walking on a lead, noisy household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines and televisions and getting comfortable on the couch.
Greyhound Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Alan Clayton said the prison partnership had become a key part of GAP’s foster care program.
“As the prison partnership foster program enters its 14th year, it continues to be an integral part of the State’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) and GRV’s commitment to community engagement,” he said.
“With hundreds of our greyhounds socialised through foster care each year, many through the prison system, the program has proved to be a rewarding experience for both carers and the foster greyhounds.”
GAP usually has up to four greyhounds in the program at any one time, with each greyhound completing four weeks in foster care.
It is not only the dogs who benefit from the foster care process, with the inmates also thriving on a newfound connection, friendship and sense of responsibility with the greyhounds, said Minister for Corrections, Natalie Hutchins.
“Rehabilitation and reintegration programs play a vital role in helping to break the cycle of re-offending, and programs like this provide prisoners with new skills and a sense of pride,” the Minister said.
“It has been great to see the bond between the prisoners and the greyhounds today. The dogs will now prosper as pets thanks to the Greyhound Adoption Program and the women who have been so dedicated to training them.”
To find out more about the GAP Foster Care Program visit https://gap.grv.org.au/volunteering/foster-care.
