Meet & Greet 101

Welcome to Meet & Greet 101, in which we will present and discuss Meet & Greet etiquette, what you may expect and what will be expected of you and your pet(s).

What is a Meet & Greet

Any outing with your pet(s) is a potential Meet & Greet.  However, more organized events (under the auspices of GPA\Southern Nevada) are held anywhere our pets are welcomed, can be comfortably accommodated and adequately adored.  They are venues in which volunteers and their pet(s) raise public awareness of retired racing greyhounds as an alternative pet adoption source by providing contact with retired greyhounds and information that will lead to a responsible educated decision.  A listing of all regularly scheduled Meet & Greets is posted on the GPA\Southern Nevada website (www.lasvegasgreyhounds.org) or can be obtained upon request.  Special events are posted (and, in some cases, flyers circulated), as details become available.

 What to expect at a Meet & Greet

Most Meet & Greets (aside from those held where space is limited) are set up with X-pens (the size of which determines the number of pets) and are usually scheduled to last 4 hours.  The set-up person customarily sets up the X-pen and provides a watering bucket, a supply of paper towels (the need for which is mentioned below), a picture board (if one is available), a donation jar and brochures (which contain adoption applications).  Items you may want to bring include a pad or blanket (preferably washable), an extra roll of paper towels, a bottle of spray disinfectant/deodorizer, some plastic bags (also mentioned below) and treats (to spark interest once the pet(s) have been worn out by all the attention).  If you do bring treats, please be willing to share. 

Questions!  In sharing our pet(s), experiences and knowledge with the public, there will be questions!  We’ve compiled a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers that are factual, realistic and appropriate to the group mission.  We’re not asking that you memorize and repeat verbatim, but realize that, just as each pet is an individual, the adaptation period/process may also vary (to which some multiple adopters can attest).  If your pet house-trained in a day, that’s great!  However, presenting that as the “norm” could lead to unrealistic expectations of future adopters and the possibility of “bounces” (dogs that are returned to the group).

The racing/euthanasia issue is a big one.  Most of us do not have first-hand knowledge of the facts and are therefore unqualified to present an accurate observation on this subject.  Please, no matter what your personal views may be, the group is “racing neutral” (the focus being on placing the retired greyhounds in responsible loving homes) and should be presented as such.

Please remember if at any time you feel uncertain as to an answer, there will always be someone there to help.  No one is expecting you to “get it right” the first time out and it is better to ask the help of someone more experienced/knowledgeable than to give an incorrect or misleading answer.   

What is expected of you and your pet(s)

We do require your pet(s) be spayed/neutered prior to participation.  If you wish to attend without your pet(s) before this has been accomplished or just to check it out, please do.  That’s a wonderful way to decide if Meet & Greets are an event to which you and your pet(s) would like to contribute.  Also, it is suggested that you introduce your pet(s) to this new experience gradually by spending only an hour or so the first couple of times.

Just as you have taken the time to groom your pet(s) for this occasion, it is important that you also are “groomed” appropriately.  Whether you are wearing GPA logo clothing (which is preferable) or not, you will be identified with the organization and should take pride in that. 

 Meet & Greet Etiquette

Please be reliable and considerate.  Understanding that everyone has a personal life and last minute circumstances do arise, it is never the less important to remember you have made a scheduled commitment.  If you will be unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so a replacement may be found.  Also, if you’re not scheduled for an event, please notify us before just showing up.  There are venues in which “the more, the merrier” may not be the case.

You are responsible for the actions of your pet(s).  Some males seem to have a territorial mindset no surgical procedure short of total lobotomy can remove and will “mark”.  No big deal!  This is the purpose of the aforementioned paper towels.  Smile and mop!  Females, although less likely and a little more discreetly, have been known to “puddle”.  Again, no big deal!  Smile and mop!  You may also want to take your pet(s) for a little walk at some point during the Meet & Greet (usually after the first couple of hours), at which time the plastic bags might come in handy.  We are guests and would like to leave a good impression (not one that needs to be scraped off).

Know your pet(s)! We realize everybody has a bad day now and then, and our pets are no different.  However, please be aware that habitual aggressive behavior is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated.  The safety of other pets, the liability/reputation of the group and the need to maintain a positive public impression of the breed as a whole are at stake.  While you work with your pet to correct the behavior, there are other opportunities in which your help will be greatly appreciated.

Now that you know what is expected of you, it is important for you to understand what YOU should expect of US.

Although GPA\Southern Nevada is a strictly volunteer organization, you should expect compensation for your donated time and effort in the form of professional attitudes and courtesy.

We will try to contact you at least 2 weeks prior to an event, although some events may require short notice due to planning time frames or commitment cancellations.  If there are future events posted on our website in which you would like to participate, let us know and we’d be more than happy to put your name on the “to call” list.  If the website is unavailable to you, let us know in which geographic area you would prefer to participate.

At no time should you have to endure inappropriate behavior.  A diversity of personalities is to be expected and (hopefully) enjoyed at any given event.  However, “I was only kidding” or “You can’t take a joke” are not excuses for comments/actions of a sexual or derogatory nature.  If you feel you have been the recipient of or witness to inappropriate/unprofessional behavior by another volunteer, you may contact any member of the volunteer committee.  All information will be held in strict confidence.      

by Gale Wood

Many thanks to Greyhound Pets of America for Western NY for providing this information.