The adoption process is easy! You will need to fill out and submit an adoption application. The application can be found on line, can be obtained from any of our volunteers at a meet-and-greet, or we can mail or fax one to you. Once we receive your application, an adoption volunteer will contact you by telephone to review your application with you so we can understand what type of greyhound you are looking for.

Application Review
Our adoption protocol requires that your pets be current on all required and recommended vaccines, that they be altered, and they are on heartworm preventative medication. We will verify this information with your veterinarian. If you are purchasing heartworm medication through another source, please provide this information with your application. If you rent, we will need to have permission from your landlord for you to have a dog the size of a greyhound (normally 55-90 lbs.).

Home Advisory
After your application has been reviewed, we will set up an appointment to meet with you and all members of your family in your home. During this meeting, we will provide you with information about caring for your greyhound, make sure that the greyhound you choose and other family pets are compatible, and answer any questions you may have. Please keep in mind that not all individuals or homes are right for a retired racing greyhound. During the home advisory, we will discuss your lifestyle and help you determine whether a greyhound will be an appropriate pet for you.

Adoption Costs
The Adoption donation we request depends on the age and level of training of the greyhound you choose. The adoption donation requested is listed with each adoptable greyhound. Some of our adoptable greyhounds are graduates of the Second Chance at Life Greyhound Prison Program (SCAL). These dogs have had 3 months of specialized training at a prison facility where they live with their inmate handlers. Due to the extra costs of this program, we request a higher adoption donation for the SCAL graduates.

Your adoption donation partially pays for the cost of veterinary care for your greyhound prior to adoption. The remainder of the costs we incur are paid by racing kennel owners who assist with the costs for their dogs, fundraisers, and donations from the public.

For your adoption donation you will receive:


• Transportation costs from the racing kennel
• Spay/neutering of your greyhound
• All vaccines, including rabies, distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus-2, parvovirus, Para influenza, corona virus, and canine bordatella (to protect against kennel cough)
• Testing for heartworms and intestinal parasites and treatment if needed
• Dental examination and cleaning with scaling and polishing
• Greyhound bathed, ears cleaned, and nails trimmed
• Flea/tick prevention
• Greyhound microchipped
• Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions identification tag
• Martingale collar (suitable for a greyhound) and matching 4" leash
• "From Track to Couch"—guide to caring for your greyhound
• 30-days free pet insurance
• Turn-out muzzle (for use at fun-runs)
• Adoption packet with your greyhound's photo, pedigree, racing record, and medical records
• Grooming mit, stuffie toy, toothbrush, and oral gel

Adoption Timetable
The adoption process can sometimes be completed in a week or less, or it may take two weeks or more depending on the greyhound you choose. Our policy is to foster all greyhounds for a minimum of two weeks once we receive them from the racing kennel. This allows us to take care of all veterinary work prior to adoption; to introduce your greyhound to such things as stairs, swimming pools, glass doors, mirrors, riding in a car, etc.; and to evaluate the temperament of your greyhound. SCAL greyhounds are ready for their new home as soon as they graduate. We will need to process our application and set up a mutually convenient time to complete your home advisory prior to adoption.

Choosing Your Greyhound
We encourage you to meet with us and our greyhounds available for adoption as soon as you know you are interested in adopting. Although greyhounds come in a variety of sizes and coat colors, we suggest that you choose a dog by personality and compatibility with your family and lifestyle rather than by size or coat color. As you will find when you meet the greyhounds, your greyhound will often choose you rather than the other way around! Photos and short descriptions of the greyhounds currently available for adoption can be seen under Adoptable Greyhounds on our website, and can also be found on bayareagreyhounds.petfinder.com.

Registering Your Greyhound
Racing greyhounds in the United States are registered with the National Greyhound Association (NGA) in Abilene, Kansas. We recommend (but do not require) that you transfer your greyhound's registration into your name. Since your greyhound is microchipped, he could be identified by his microchip number in the event he or she were to get out without identification tags. A greyhound can also be traced through the numbers tattooed in his or her ears, and these numbers are registered with NGA. To transfer your greyhound's registration, you will need to make out a check for $30 payable to the National Greyhound Association. If this is done at the time of adoption, we will handle the transfer of ownership for you, and in a month to six weeks, you will receive a certificate of registration for your greyhound.

Adoption Day
On Adoption Day the adoption donation and registration transfer costs are due. We will need a check for the adoption and another check for transferring your greyhound's registration. If we are loaning you a crate, we will also need a deposit check of either $100 or $150 (depending on the size and type of crate you will need). You will also need to have a few things on hand for your greyhound:

• 2 qt. food bowl and 2-3 qt. water bowl (we suggest stainless steel)
• High feeder, approximately 15-16"—high feeders can be purchased at pet supply stores, or a coated wire plant stand works equally well
• Dog bed or old comforter or blanket
• Good quality, dry dog food—most greyhounds require about four cups per day (we recommend the “large breed, adult” type of dog food). Brand names you might want to consider are ProPlan, Eukenuba, Neutro, Science Diet, Iams, Wellness, Solid Gold, etc. (Avoid any food that has corn as the #1 ingredient.)
• Identification tag for your greyhound which has your name and phone number (can be purchased at any pet supply store).

We will provide a collar and leash set, so you will not need to purchase these items. You may want to purchase a decorative collar and a greyhound coat suitable for cold weather or a cool-down jacket for hot weather. If you wish, you may purchase both of these items from us.

After Adoption
Once your bring your greyhound home, we will loan you a crate if necessary for two to four weeks for a deposit. There is no rental charge. An adoption counselor, normally the volunteer who fostered your greyhound, will be in touch with you periodically to assist you with any questions.

Take a look at our Adoptable Greyhounds.

Second Chance
at Life
Learn about adopting a SCAL (Second Chance at Life) greyhound