Volunteer Spotlight
Six Years, Eighteen Greyhounds: Meet One of Our Amazing Foster Carers, Moyra Pepe
What would you say to someone thinking about fostering?
Most people worry they’ll get too attached, and it’s true that you do care deeply about the dogs. But when they find the right home, it doesn’t feel like loss, it feels like success.
You also don’t need a perfect setup. What matters most is patience, kindness and good communication with the rescue group. Gumtree Greys provides fantastic support, so you’re never doing it alone.
How does it feel knowing you’ve helped 18 greyhounds start new lives?
It’s something I don’t think about every day, but when I do it’s quite amazing. Eighteen dogs who now have families, couches and loving homes. I feel very grateful to have played a small part in that.
What’s one quirky greyhound trait you love?
The teeth chattering! It sounds like they’re cold, but it means they’re excited and happy. It’s one of the most endearing things.
And of course, the coats. Greyhounds love wearing their jackets in cold weather and somehow manage to look incredibly stylish while doing it.
What inspired you to become a foster carer for greyhounds?
When I first moved to Australia, I had no idea dog racing even existed. Learning. about the industry and what happens to many dogs after their racing careers ended was a real shock, and it made me want to do something to help rather than just feel sad about it from a distance.
You’ve fostered 16 dogs over six years. What keeps you coming back?
Watching the transformation in these dogs is incredibly rewarding. Many arrive unsure, shut down or fearful of everyday things like stairs, televisions or unfamiliar sounds.
Then slowly, something shifts. The dog who wouldn’t come near you starts followingyou from room to room. The tail that was tucked begins to wag. You see them relax and realise life can be safe and comfortable.
That moment, when a dog starts to show their personality and simply learns how to be a dog again, never gets old.
What has surprised you most about greyhounds?
How adaptable they are. Many have never lived in a home before, yet they quickly figure out the rhythms of domestic life.
They are also incredibly emotionally intuitive. People often think of them as athletic animals first, but they are deeply sensitive dogs who bond strongly once they feel safe.
Is there a foster dog that particularly stole your heart?
One dog who will always stay with me is Dusty. When I first picked him up, he was incredibly thin and unwell, and I honestly didn’t understand how he had survived. But when I looked into his eyes, I could see the sweetest soul.
It took a long time to restore his health and find the right home, but today Dusty lives a very happy life on Phillip Island. Dogs like him remind you exactly why fostering matters.
What’s the most rewarding part of seeing a foster dog go to their forever home?
It’s always a little bittersweet when they leave, but it also feels like success. The whole purpose of fostering is to prepare them for their future home. Knowing that the patience, training and care you gave them helped set them up for a happy life makes it incredibly rewarding.
