"Meet and Greet"

A Meet and Greet is a one of the fundamental activities of a greyhound rescue group. In simplest terms, a group will usually have volunteers and dogs out where the animal-friendly public can see them. Traditional locations for MGs would in pet superstores, outdoorsy stores, civic events, etc.

For most people, it's the first greyhound they've ever seen. The most-heard words at these functions (from the public) are "beautiful" and "sweet". This kind of reaction is how the rescue groups know that getting the animals seen is the first step toward an adoption.

Understand that it is generally not possible to pick out a dog and take it home with you; for this reason you will feel no pressure at all to take one with you. You couldn't take the dog home even if you wanted to.

Meet/greets usually happen on a rotating schedule. On any Saturday or Sunday it is likely that there is a grey meet/greet happening near you from one group or another. Here's one meet/greet schedule, and here's another one. Get to know as many people, dogs, and groups as you can. Each has it's own personality. See you there!

dogs you'll see there

The dogs you meet will be one of several types:

dogs ready for adoption. This is what you would expect. These dogs may be currently fostered at a home or kenneled in a rescue-friendly kennel.
dogs not ready for adoption. Fresh off the track, they may need their medical workout, fostering, etc.
dogs owned by group volunteers. They love their dogs and like to have them around. This gives you a chance to see how settled-in dogs act, and how their owners handle them. Ask these owners questions! Note that if they don't know an answer they ask for each other. Greyhound owners have a great set of real world and internet networks to share info and help each other out.
dogs owned by recent adopters. Rescue groups like to have new owners and their dogs come out so they can see how both are doing, and it also gives you a chance to see how dogs behave in transition. Ask these owners questions, but do not expect them to have all the answers. Remember, they are new to the game.

Sometimes onlookers feel like the groups should bring only adoptable dogs to the MGs. This might be the case if you could adopt the dog on the spot, but since greyhound adoptions usually take a bit more planning it works in the public's favor to be able to see dogs at all stages of the adopted life.

Sometimes there are patterns you can use to tell dogs apart. Sometimes a group puts bandanas or other distinctive gear on adoptable/fostered dogs. Frequently a fancy, decorative collar will indicate someone's personal dog, as the fosters usually wear a plain martingale collar. But a plain collar does not indicate a foster dog.

Dog behavior

One of the first things you'll notice is how quiet greys are. They handle social situations well, but some of the new rescues will be nervous. It's hard to tell, but they may act shy, their nose may drip a little, pant a little, or they may shed. All of these are normal anxiety reactions in the dogs; it's all new to them.

One way to locate prospective dogs is to be still and see which ones seem appropriately interested in you.

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