Meet Lauren Sicherman of Greyhounds Only

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Sicherman.

Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Greyhounds Only, Inc., Adoption & Rescue is an all-volunteer, tax-exempt, registered 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit corporation that began in October 1995. To date we have found homes for more than 2700 greyhounds. Greyhounds Only, Inc., has gone from placing 40 dogs in its first year to placing 169 greyhounds last year. Our website, www.greyhoundsonly.com, along with our presence at many street fairs and pet-related venues, has helped us to spread the word about greyhounds. Greyhounds Only, Inc., Adoption & Rescue has made a difference in the world of the retired racing greyhound. Our volunteers are primarily greyhound owners who work tirelessly at events, fostering hounds, working at the kennel, educating families and talking to future adopters about the greyhound breed. Our goals for the future are to continue to find homes for this regal breed and to make the greyhound breed a popular family member in years to come.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Our biggest challenge: Most of the greyhounds that come into our adoption program come from racetracks in Florida and Iowa. We are burdened with the cost of transporting greyhounds from Florida to our Group. We have been transporting roughly 30 dogs every 6 weeks at a cost of between $50-$100 per dog, in addition to the cost of spay & neuter, worming and shots required that average approx. $446.00 per dog.

Our 2nd challenge is finding volunteers for all the different geographic areas that we serve in the Chicagoland Area. We love showcasing the hounds at any opportunity. Unfortunately being a 100% volunteer group makes Volunteer recruiting, training and retain-age a challenge.

Greyhounds Only – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The mission of Greyhounds Only is to place retired racing and at-risk greyhounds into responsible, loving homes, to educate the public about the greyhound breed, to provide access to high-quality medical care and to collaborate with others who share our common goals.

We are proud and extremely appreciative of our Volunteers who work tirelessly on fulfilling the “Mission” on all fronts from answering the phone, social media posting, website management, managing street fairs and events, as well as the handling of medical issues and matching hounds with their forever families after the application process is complete.

We have been called the Bloomingdale’s of Adoption Groups.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I cannot refer to My Success but rather the success of the group which is hinged on the blood, sweat and literally tears of our volunteers that work day and night to make sure the greyhounds are happy, healthy and ready and to be placed properly in their forever homes. We depend on our Board of Directors to manage the many programs thru the use of committees to broaden our horizons and spread the “Greyhound Gospel”.
Our Success is measured by the results of 4 main programs:

Adoption
Foster
Kenneling
Veterinary
Volunteer

As a business owner of multiple for profit business’s, I find my Volunteer Job as Treasurer for Greyhounds Only to be the most rewarding and provides balance to my life as a person.

Pricing:

• Our adoption fee is $250 and includes Spay/Neuter, All required shots, Chipping, Leash & Collar.

Contact Info:

• Address: Mailing address: Greyhounds Only, 335 E Geneva Rd #173, Carol Stream, IL 60188
• Website: www.greyhoundsonly.com
• Phone: 847-421-9828
• Email: questions@greyhoundsonly.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundsOnlyInc/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/greyhoundsonly

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