After adopting a greyhound, Point Cook’s Gina Idda decided she wanted to help other greyhounds find loving homes.
Ms Idda adopted Scoot, who is nearly four years old, through the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP), which is aimed at finding homes for greyhounds retired from racing.
“Scoot chose me – he came over and leaned on me,” she said. “He wouldn’t leave me alone.”
About nine months later, Ms Idda and her partner decided to volunteer with GAP – and that led them to adopting a second dog.
“We went to the GAP induction course to become volunteers and came back with Molly,” Ms Idda said.
Molly, who is aged one, has since become best pals with Scoot.
Ms Idda said volunteering for GAP included attending the Greyhound Adoption Program Cafe in West Melbourne, where customers can meet the dogs, find out more about adopting them and chat with greyhound owners.
“What we enjoy is knowing, that out of talking to someone, they might adopt a dog and give them a good life,” Ms Idda said.
“We decided to volunteer because we’ve had so much joy from them [greyhounds] – it’s like we’ve joined a religion, we want to spread the word. I describe them as polite, well-behaved dogs, low-maintenance and wonderful-natured.”
Ms Idda helped to start the Williams Landing Greyhound Walk group, which held its first gathering last month. The next outing will be held on May 6 from 10.30am, with owners meeting in the Williams Landing Shopping Centre carpark.
Details: gap.grv.org.au
