Volunteering with SGS
SGS rely entirely on volunteers donating their precious time to help with all aspects of running the charity. Volunteers come from all walks of life and have varying skills and experience to offer. All we ask is that you have the desire to help save the lives of Greyhounds, and the enthusiasm to get stuck in. SGS have a variety of opportunities for volunteering both at events and behind the scenes and you don't have to be a Greyhound owner for most jobs. Listed below are some of the opportunities we have for willing volunteers, if you would like to help SGS by offering to volunteer please download our volunteering application form and email: Nora
Can Collections
For SGS, can collections are one of the best ways to fundraise and increase awareness of greyhounds in need. It is an ideal opportunity for the public to meet the greyhounds, find out more about SGS and greyhounds as pets, and of course donate to the charity. We will need as many volunteers as possible for these events as it can be a long day so it is best done in shifts of a couple of hours at a time. Volunteers who are greyhound owners are encouraged to bring their own well behaved greyhounds along to meet the public. As with all SGS events, dogs should be on lead at all times and muzzled as appropriate.
Organised Walks
SGS want to increase the publics' awareness of what fantastic family pets greyhounds are. It is anticipated that SGS will have regular organised walks which will be advertised online and locally through flyers and posters in appropriate venues such as veterinary surgeries. Volunteers will be there to meet members of the public who wish to enquire about greyhound ownership, adoption, fostering, sponsorship or volunteering. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own dog or a homeless dog to the walk. As with all SGS events, dogs should be on lead at all times and muzzled as appropriate.
Meet and Greets
A great way to raise awareness of greyhounds as pets and allow members of the public to interact with the greyhounds. We will require volunteers to bring their own or homeless greyhounds along to socialise and show off how fantastic they really are. We will need volunteers to liaise with people who want information on fostering, adoption, sponsorship and volunteering. As with all SGS events, dogs should be on lead at all times and muzzled as appropriate.
Home Checking
Before a greyhound can be adopted/fostered from SGS an adoption application form must be completed. If this is satisfactory a home check will be carried out. Volunteers for home checking must be an experienced greyhound owner. A home checker will visit the potential adoptee/fosterer in the home where the greyhound will live. They will check that the living situation is suitable for a greyhound and usually they will bring their own greyhound to the meeting. A questionnaire will be completed during the visit and based on this a decision will be made within a few days as to the suitability of the home.
Transportation
Sometimes SGS will be required to move a greyhound to a place of safety in a planned way or at short notice. In order to make this as swift as possible we require a network of volunteers who can provide transportation from one location to another. Volunteers should have a suitable vehicle for transporting large dogs safely. SGS will have a database of times and days volunteers would normally be available, areas they can transport in and if they could be contacted at short notice.
Fostering
One of the most rewarding experiences available within SGS is fostering one of our homeless greyhounds. A foster home is an important steppingstone between race track and forever home. Basic housetraining can begin and some manners and house rules learned. It enables a true assessment of the greyhound's temperament in a home so that a perfect forever home can be matched. Fosterers are encouraged to bring their foster dog along to SGS events in order to raise the profile of homeless dogs in SGS care. SGS are responsible for veterinary care while dogs are in foster homes and this will be provided without question or limitation.
Professional Skills
SGS would like to hear from professionals such as vets, accountants, dog behaviourists/trainers, or anyone who feels we could benefit from your experience. If you have some free time and would like to volunteer your expertise get in touch!