Midwest IG Rescue is based in Wisconsin, but we are part of the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation. We only handle adopters in the following Midwest States: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. If you are in another state, you can find your area Italian Greyhound rescue’s contact on the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation’s website.
Please read the following before filling out our application form, which is linked to at the bottom. This page contains very important information about living with Italian Greyhounds. You will not be approved unless you are fully willing to accept all of the Italian Greyhound quirks and adapt your lifestyle to meet the needs of an Italian Greyhound. They are not an ordinary dog and require some special considerations.
- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Most Italian Greyhounds (IGs) are in our program because someone did not do their research and obtained the wrong breed. All dogs are not alike; each breed is different and IGs are NOT small Greyhounds. They are VERY different from their full-size “cousins” in terms of activity level and with regard to training. Every breed has its price – some dig, some bark, some chew, some shed tumbleweeds of hair, etc. The price of the IG is housetraining difficulty. It is not impossible to housetrain an IG, but if you have lots of carpet or have a problem with accidents, then this breed is probably not be for you. We can almost guarantee some accidents, even after your dog is considered housetrained! A housetrain IG can be achieved, but it takes diligence, consistency, the use of a crate, and can be a 365-day-a-year job. Next to the housetraining difficulty (which is the number one reason IGs are surrendered to rescue), the other significant problem is the IG/small child relationship. IGs do not like quick movements, loud noises, and are fine-boned, so easily injured by a child. IGs generally do NOT do well with small children. There are exceptions, but they are rare. Big dogs are no match for a small boned Italian Greyhound. We have rescued many IGs over the years who have had extensive vet bills or broken bones from innocently “playing” with larger dogs, or just being bumped going through a doorway with a larger dog. A good rule of thumb with toy breeds, according to experts, is no more than a 25 pound difference in size for dogs in the same play group or home.
- Know IGs Unique Characteristics and Needs:
- IGs are an active, athletic breed and they do not thrive if left alone for long hours.
- They cannot “hold it” all day. Try to picture yourself going to work and NEVER using the bathroom…all day! You must be aware of this fact – small dogs = small bladders. They need access to potty at least every 5 hours. If you are away from home 5+ hours a day, you’ll need someone to let your dog out (hire a dog walk, family member/neighbor stop by) every 5 hours.
- IGs are extraordinarily fast (reaching speeds of up to 35 mph) and have very keen eyesight. Because of these two facts, IGs MUST be on a leash or in a fenced area when off leash. What 2000 years of breeding has created, NO amount of obedience training can overcome.
- Those of us who have the breed feel that their “drawbacks” are a small price to pay for their wonderful, loving personalities. We place hundreds of dogs through our program so this information is based on lots of experience with this breed! (Note: When doing your research, beware of those that only tell you the good points of the breed. They are usually out to sell you a dog and profit from it. We guarantee they won’t be so helpful you when you have problems. Remember…every breed has a “price”. )
- Fill out our Online Application. A copy of your application will be emailed to you upon form submission. Please keep your application for your records, in case it’s needed for the foster home, other reps who might have a dog for you, it gets lost, etc.
- Follow up, follow up, follow up… we are all volunteers and are very busy working with foster dogs, adopters, potential adopters and most of us have a “real” job too. You, the person looking for just one dog will need to do the legwork and follow up on your application. We place lots of dogs, but those that get the dogs are those that are qualified and follow up.
- Upon receiving your application, we will respond with any concerns, or move directly to the next step which is a phone interview to discuss your application.
- The next step is an in-home visit where volunteers and one or more of their Italian Greyhounds meet with everyone in the adopting family. We use this visit to learn what the family is looking for in a dog, the safety of the home environment, as well as getting to know any other pets the family may have.
- After the home visit is completed, we will put you in touch with the foster home of the dog we feel is a good match for you and your lifestyle. The foster home has trained and lived with the dog so this conversation will help both the foster home and you determine if a good match was made. If everything works out, you will continue to work with the foster home to determine the time and place for adoption.
- Once the adoption date has been set, you’ll want to spend the time you have preparing for your new arrival. All our dogs are crate trained before placement except in extenuating circumstances, so chances are you’ll need to purchase a crate, bowls, dog beds, collar, leash, nail clippers, food, treats, kong and other toys.
- Adoptions can take between 1 – 3 hours depending on how much information the foster home has for you and if you like to talk about dogs as much as we do! Our foster homes have taken special care of your new family member, usually crate training, obedience training and housetraining. The information they have for you at adoption can be very valuable in making sure the transition to your home is smooth for both you and the dog.
- Follow up, follow up, follow up… please keep us updated on your Italian Greyhound’s progress. We want to know how things are going before there is a problem. Our foster homes and rescue representatives are always available to help you and your adopted Italian Greyhound over come any training problem. We want the match to work out as much as you do, for your sake and the dog.
Our adoption fees vary by region and the dog’s age. The IGRF Rescue fund is maintained by the IGRF Treasurer and all donations are payable to IGRF.
Thank you for your interest in adopting a rescued Italian Greyhound. Our application is a bit lengthy but it enables us to match the right dog to your situation and needs as well as theirs. We always strive for successful, permanent placements and in assessing your family and home we are better able to determine if a particular dog will ‘fit’ into your life based on their temperament and personality, which is to your advantage, so please provide as many details as possible.