Sometime down the line, I hope to adopt a retired Greyhound. At present, I have two 7-month-old GSDs which I am trying very hard to raise the Frawley/Leerburg way. Therefore, I am about 95% certain that I will not continue with vaccinations for either of them. I know I must go with rabies, because it is the state law, and, because of the area, I will continue with Heartgard. However, the rest I intend to do without. In researching the various rescue operations, all of them require a certification from your vet to make certain you maintain health care AND ALL VACCINATIONS. Otherwise, no dog. This kind of puts a kink in my plans. Does anyone have any additional information from any other shelters? I have checked into shelters in a 3-state-wide area in the northeast and the requirements are all the same.

you can check out some of the actual greyhound farms for a retired greyhound. They may not have the same requirements as some of the "rescue" organizations. You can get a test membership to global greyhounds and sometimes someone will be looking to place a dog directly from the farm.
vickie

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....... require a certification from your vet to make certain you maintain health care AND ALL VACCINATIONS. .....

On the forms I have seen, the wording is similar to this: "You must agree to maintain necessary vaccinations recommended by your vet and be responsible for licensing your dog according to regulations in your community."

To me, that seems to give some leeway. "Somewhere down the line," I think, might mean that you have the time and opportunity to acquire the services of a vet who is up on the latest controversy and findings about overvaccinating and therefore much more open than many to tailoring his/her recommendations to the individual dog and owner.

The wording leaves it up to your vet, rather than a boilerplate schedule concocted by the rescue organization.

I've never had a Greyhound, but I have had mature and senior rescues who I thought should not have any more boosters, and when my vet and I discussed it, she agreed.

Adding to your own arsenal is that you plan to adopt a retired working dog, whose records will certainly be maintained, and you and your vet will know the vaccination history.

I believe that you have a very good chance of managing this on your own terms, with a well-read vet.

Thanks, Connie. I am trying to obtain some "Letters of Agreement" so I know exactly what the wording is. Also, Vickie, I would really prefer to get one right "from the farm", so my research continues. I will also need the extra time to possibly seek out a new vet ( <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> because my current one goes pretty much by the book in terms of feeding and vaccinations.

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.......I will also need the extra time to possibly seek out a new vet ( <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> because my current one goes pretty much by the book in terms of feeding and vaccinations.

Then this will be a positive thing all around for you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I think it's a great idea to do phone interviews with vets recommended by friends or training club members to sort out the ones who are willing for the dog's care to be a partnership (with you) and also agree with your own views about things like pain management, vaccinations, feeding, etc. Saves lots of time. And if the vet doesn't do such interviews (scheduled, of course, in advance), then I'd want to look elsewhere anyway.

I'd say to the front desk person that I'd like to schedule a short discussion on the phone before making a get-acquainted appointment. Expect to pay for the actual appointment (not the phone talk), but IMO it's worth it to find out way before it comes up in treatment just how your outlooks are similar and how they differ.

I have a cc of a rescue application/statement that's in MS "Word" format; if you want it, just let me know by PM. It's from the Italian Greyhound Club of America.