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SAGA's Frequently Asked Questions
- How did S.A.G.A come to exist?
- Mark Abrams believed he could do a better job finding homes for retired racing greyhounds in Alberta than was already being done. He initiated several standards that SAGA operates under.
- No profit will ever be made from the adoption of a greyhound.
- All adopters will receive all existing paperwork for their adoptive greyhound.
- All S.A.G.A greyhounds will have full dentals completed prior to adoption. Other groups say they do but it has been proven they simply do a scaling.
- All S.A.G.A greyhounds will have complete medical records as available with their adoption showing the medical procedures completed and at what cost to S.A.G.A.
- All S.A.G.A greyhounds will come with 6 weeks of free pet insurance.
- All S.A.G.A greyhounds’ adopters can access post adoption advice and help at no charge.
- All people fostering S.A.G.A greyhounds will have foster food provided.
- S.A.G.A pays for the transportation of the greyhounds and is not included in the adoption fee.
- S.A.G.A stands behind all greyhounds they adopt.
- S.A.G.A guarantees all greyhounds it places are NGA greyhounds. Look for the green tattoos in their ears.
- Why is SAGA called a greyhound adoption group and not a greyhound rescue group in Alberta?
- In the retired racing world there are two schools of thought. One is that these greyhounds need rescue groups as without them they will be euthanized. In Alberta there are a number of greyhound rescue groups who rely on sad stories, pity and desperation to find home for these greyhounds. S.A.G.A on the other hand deals directly with track owners, kennel owners and state regulating bodies. These groups desire their greyhounds to be placed with S.A.G.A because of their adoption protocol and will cover the transportation costs of these greyhounds to Great Falls Montana, where S.A.G.A picks them up. If you talk to any registered owner of a greyhound from the racing industry, they will tell you their greyhounds don’t need to be rescued, but rather need loving adoptive homes. SAGA always makes available to the greyhound’s original owners where their greyhound is and how it is doing, should they ask.
- Why is SAGA’s adoption fee less than other groups?
- SAGA is well known in the United States and has standing medical accounts with veterinarians who discount their work on SAGA greyhounds because they support SAGA’s endeavors. No group in Alberta does as much medically for its greyhounds prior to adoption than SAGA and our adoption fee is almost $100 less. Again SAGA does not profit from the adoption of a greyhound, rather we provide a service at no charge.
- Why is a full dental important prior to adoption?
- A full dental cleaning on a greyhound is identical what a human has done. It is expensive and time consuming. Greyhound’s teeth are their Achilles heel, and if a full dental is not done prior to adoption, in 6 to 8 months you will be paying $600+ for a dental and extractions on your greyhound. SAGA is the only adoption group in Alberta that does a full dental prior to adoption, not just a scaling.
- What comes with a SAGA greyhound?
- All existing paperwork, medical records and bills as supplied. Muzzle, leash, martingale collar, tag collar, individualized SAGA tag, food samples, 6 weeks of free Pet Insurance and your greyhound’s first stuffed toy.
- What else makes SAGA unique?
- SAGA has its own medical specialists in the United States available for consultation should it be required. SAGA has a strong working relationship with greyhound groups throughout the USA. SAGA has developed strong partnerships with many veterinarians in Alberta and a unique partnership with the CARE Hospital in Calgary. SAGA also has wonderful sponsors like Petsmart, The Camera Store, M&M’s Westhills, Bell Cellular and Purina Canada.
- Why doesn’t SAGA solicit for funds using Visa and MasterCard?
- SAGA does not solicit funds. All of our fundraising is done through events. If an individual wants to donate to SAGA they are more than welcome to and SAGA will issue a tax receipt for any amount greater than $5.00. To use MasterCard and Visa on your website you must pay to raise funds which go against SAGA’s philosophy of operating as a true charity.
- Why aren’t SAGA greyhounds muzzled?
- SAGA’s greyhounds only need to be muzzled when they are running with other greyhounds. The only reason they wear them at that time is to prevent them nipping at each other during the excitement of the run.
