Does GAL cat test the hounds up for adoption ??

moptop · Master

Does GAL cat test the hounds up for adoption ??

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Marian, when we get a new dog 'on the books' I usually send someone out to do an initial assessment of that dog, if after this initial look we think it'll be worth cat testing the dog we go ahead and do the test (our decision to cat test can be based on various things like how the dog is or simply if there's a suggested history round cats) Once a dog actually comes into our care (i.e. or kennels or a foster home) further assessment is done and again if we feel that a cat test is in order we'll go ahead and organise that. Can't really give exact figures but we're probably cat testing 40% of the dogs, I'd love to be in a position where we could cat test 100% of the dogs coming in but to be honest willing cats are few and far between, there's also the transport issues involved as we do struggle to get dogs moved from point A to point B most of the time..

In terms of what a cat test involves, well, I could write all day about the do's and don'ts, in summary it involves a dog, a cat, a muzzle, a very tight lead, 2 volunteers and an empty room. One volunteer looks after the cat and one looks after the dog, it's basically the dog's reactions we're looking at, usually you can tell right away a dog thats NOT catsafe (as they will try to tear your arm out of your socket when they spy the cat) telling dogs that are catsafe (or borderline catsafe) is a much more complicated beast, the dog's body language is real important here and it takes a bit of a practiced eye. A cat test done properly should probably last about 30 minutes but basically we ALWAYS err on the side of caution, we can't take risks with folks cats!

It's actually funny timing you asking about catsafe dogs, I currently find myself in the odd situation of having 2 hounds available that ARE catsafe but whom I can't find a home for!!!

slimcilla · Old Hand

Dave - Who are they?? I think Speedy might like a friend...

Claire

JENNY · Big Cheese

Where are these cat safe dogs? Who are they and why can't they find a home?

Dave · Enlightened One

I've 2 female lurcher currently that are catsafe and homeless -

MOLLY, she's 8yrs old, currently in a GAL foster home, she's a lovely dog, pretty much looks like a Greyhound, her problem is her age, kinda fed up moaning about it but I can't home middle aged dogs anymore, no one wants them...Molly has been with GAL since November.

MINDY, she's an 18 month old lurcher, you can see her details on the main website, her details haven't been updated yet but she was cat tested over the weekend and passed. Mindy's 'issue' is she has a bit of seperation anxiety, left alone she'll get a bit upset after an hour or so, left with the company of another dog and she's absolutely fine..

Seem's odd that I'm always banging on about needing more catsafe dogs and now I've got 2 I can't find homes for them!! Anyways as this post is turning out to be a blatant plug for these two dogs if anyone would like more info drop me an email at david@gal.org.uk

JENNY · Big Cheese

Why people don't want older dogs I don't know. Both mine are what you class as 'Senior' 8 and 10 years old and are as lively (ok Ziggy's not that lively) and energetic (ok Ziggy's not energetic).... Vernon is as lively and energetic as many young doggies.

I suppose it has something to do with the length of time you will spend with a dog in its lifetime from when you adopt it. Older dogs aren't going to be around for years. I think its lovely to know that they will spend their twilight years with me. Like a care home for elderly dogs

moptop · Master

Thanks for the reply Dave. Just found it now as I have been unable to log on to the wesite for a week due to technical problems.

I personally like the sound of rehoming an older dog. Just need to get Hubby to agree to the whole thing and we would be fine!!!! I would have another dog " yesterday " Hubby is the stumbling block, although he is coming round to the idea. He tells me eventually, he would like to get a pal for Jack. I will work on him!!
Marian.

Abbys Dad · Master

Its good to read how GAL does cat safe tests for greys. When we rescued Millie from the Milton AWC outside of Dumbarton, they wouldn't let us walk past the cats in thier caged shelters just to see if there was any reaction. As it turns out Millie chases anything, even cats on the TV!! Once she caught a bird from midair, maybe trying to pretend she likes cats so we would get her one??? As an animal lover I do love cats but with Millie around we dont have a safe environment for them, even Dylan and Kiera would join in with the "pack instinct" though they seem Ok around cats indoors.

Amber · Master

I think it's probably very difficult to cat test a greyhound reliably in a short cat test; though as Dave says, it is easy to spot the ones that definitely want to eat the cat!

There could be other issues at play (the dog is traumatised/ill/shell shocked/underweight) that make the dog less reactive than if it were at full health and confidence, at least I have heard of greyhounds that have passed 'cat tests' but then went on, sadly, to kill the cat they were placed with.

I would be cautious about pronouncing any greyhound that has been briefly tested as 'cat safe' and I am sure GAL issue plenty of advice and instructions on how to safely introduce the cat trainable greyhound into homes that have a cat...like never leaving them alone together until you are 110% sure and on leash and muzzling the dog at all times in the presence of the cat to begin with.

If a greyhound has been in a foster home with cats, that can give a clearer picture BUT it does depend on the cats as well. I think I know the GRS foster home you are talking of and those were very *feisty* (vicious even) cats that could stand up for themselves. Not all cats are like that. My Petra came out of that home and I was told "she might be not too bad with cats"!!! She has managed to kill one whilst on the lead. She is definitely NOT ok with cats in any way shape or form, luckily I don't have any!!

Also, even if the dog seems OK in the cat's presence inside a room, if he sees the same cat running outdoors, could be a whole different story...

I think with the right dog and the right management it can work fine though.

yvonne · Master

I would say that any dogs would chase a cat if it was running outside. My two are 100% catsafe- in the house. I have 3 cats and they lie on the sofa with the dogs, run about the house playing with each other, and Jenna sits and licks my older cat Mozart. Angus is quite scared of my cats. However, both Jenna and Angus will chase a cat outside, just as they would chase a squirrel or a deer or a rabbit.
I would advise anybody that a catsafe dog is only catsafe in the house. Again, it can take a while for a dog thats catsafe in one house to be assessed as catsafe in another house.
But as has been said in previous posts, you can spot a keen dog a mile off.

Carole2 · Old Hand

My lurcher girl Brook is a catsafe dog, she is such a timid girl that she is wary of the cats that live in the house (3 of them) and even avoids cats that she sees outside. But, if she spots a fox or deer, off she goes. However, being the good girl that she is, if I manage to spot the anticipation of the chase and say 'leave it' before she sprints the she will leave the wildlife alone too.

I would love a second dog, and don't care about age or looks, but feel Brook is too timid to take on another pet at present, need to get her more settled with the cats. I recently got ownership of my dads cat who is rather boisterous and Brook is unsure of her to the stage where she will not walk past the cat unless I am there! They are separated when I am not in so she can access her water without any intimidation, poor girl.

Carole

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Mason is most definitely not cat safe but what is odd is that he will walk past a cat in a garden with just a hard stare but goes nuts if he sees a cat inside a house, he has to be hauled away if he spots them at the window and seems to have a real problem with them.

Slippy · Old Hand

We got Timmy from Greyhound Rescue Scotland - he had been fostered for a few in a home with several cats so they knew he was cat safe indoors. Before they were willing to give us a dog they came and "grey-tested" our cat bringing one of their own dogs. When the cat first of all spat and hissed at the dog and then went across and swiped the poor thing over its nose, she was pronounced to be just the sort of bossy little madam who would keep a greyhound in order. And sure enough she bosses Timmy around.
I wouldn't say Timmy is cat safe with other cats though. If he was outside and saw one running I'm pretty sure he'd be off and have it in a flash. I always check the back garden is clear of the neighbours' cats before I let him out.

moptop · Master

I can fully appreciate what everyone is saying, it can be extremely difficult to be 100% certain a dog is cat safe.  Especially Greyhounds and Lurchers.
I know most rescue centres just put a cat into a cat basket and wait for the reaction as a dog walks past. This gives no indication whatsoever as to whether a dog is cat safe.  Lots of dogs will not react because they think, whats the point, they cannot get at it anyway and its not running.
I was just wondering if GAL tested along the same lines as GRS. It appears they do.
The lady I mentioned before said the same as Dave. She knows in an instant too, her arm gets pulled out it's socket as well !!   She also knows which ones to persue to further tests.
After many tests on Jack she was convinced enough to let him out of his kennel and live inside with her. He lived with her family of 4 greyhounds and 8 cats for 5 weeks before I adopted him.  I was able to go and see him with her 8 cats, but still was very cautious when he arrived at our home.
He was kept on a lead and muzzled at first. luckily, he was perfect with the cats .   I kept an extremely close watch outside in the garden as well.
I still cannot be 100% certain he would not chase other cats. Although, he does not appear interested in any of the farm cats around our house. His racing career was very short lived. Of the 6 races he ran, a few were DNF. I take it it means "Did Not Finish"!   he did not want to chase small furry things I guess!!!
I would love another dog, but have three stumbling blocks!!!
I am still nervous about a new dog and the cats.
Jack is also very nervous and timid around other dogs. He is an extremely submissive dog. He is such a wimp, bless him ! It would have to be another dog of similar nature.
Hubby just retired from the Police after 30 years and wants to have less animals now, instead of more. He feels he will be tied, instead of the freedom to go off an do something at a moments notice.  Although, he is coming around to the idea of another, more and more. He loves Jack to bits and they are joined at the hip!    They are best buddies and I am actually a bit jealous now !!
Marian.