Ohio Greyhound Adoption

Adoption Specifics

All greyhounds we place are ready to adopt.  They will have been:

• Spayed or neutered
• Vaccinated
• Tested and on preventative medicine for heartworm disease
• Wormed for intestinal parasites (for rounds, hooks, whips, and tapes)
• Examined for dental issues, including a cleaning if necessary
• Treated and on preventative medicine for flea infection
• Micro-chipped
• Nails trimmed
• Bathed
• Trained for a minimum of 90 days in our prison training programs within the Ohio Department of Corrections facilities with basic manners and obedience commands

Your newly adopted greyhound will come with:

• A martingale collar and leash
• A greyhound muzzle
• A five pound bag of Science Diet Adult Maintenance

The adoption fee for adult dogs is $250, or $175 for senior dogs (older then eight years of age).  This is a non-refundable fee to Team Greyhound to pay for the veterinary care of the greyhounds.

Although a fenced yard is not required, it is highly recommended.  A fenced yard is required if you have small children two years old or under.  It is the policy of Team Greyhound to not adopt to homes with invisible fencing or fences under 42”, as either of those systems are not a safe form of containment for a greyhound.  The greyhound is required to be kept in an enclosed area with appropriate fencing or leash walked at all times.  Leash walking a dog is a HUGE commitment.  If you do not have a fenced area for the greyhound to relieve himself, then he MUST be leash walked about 4 to 5 times per day.  This means that rain or shine, sleet or hail, better or worse, sickness and health, you must be out there walking that dog.  Please carefully assess your ability to adhere to this before considering adoption.

To test your ability to leash walk a dog for the next ~9+ years, we recommend the following trial before applying to adopt.  Determine the times that you will be taking your dog out, which will most likely be first thing in the morning, mid-morning or upon returning home from work, early evening and before bed.  At those pre-determined times go stand outside and walk in small circles (as if waiting for the dog to do his business).  Stay out there for at least 10 minutes.  Once a day, take a nice walk for exercise.  Do this every day for two weeks and don’t miss a time because your dog won’t let you!  If you ARE NOT screaming UUGGHHH I CAN’T DO THIS, then you are a good candidate to adopt without a fence. 

Adoption Requirements

• All adopters must agree to maintain appropriate vaccinations, preventative heart worm medication, and appropriate veterinary care
• All adopters must agree to keep the appropriate tags on the greyhound at all times (rabies, county dog license, name tag, and Team Greyhound adoptive dog brass tag)
• All family members in the home must want to adopt a retired racing greyhound
• Team Greyhound requires that all potential adopters read Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan (third edition)
• All adopters must understand that greyhounds are not outside dwelling dogs and must sign an agreement stating to never tie out the dog.  The greyhound must always be kept indoors
• We require both personal and veterinary references.  After the references have been approved, you will be contacted to arrange a home visit with your dog of choice or one that matches your lifestyle

Adoption Process

Although you may see a picture of a beautiful dog and want to adopt it, it may not be the right dog for your home.  Sometimes we have multiple applications for the same dog.  Please remember that all dogs are placed at the discretion of Team Greyhound.  The purpose of the home visit is to introduce the greyhound to your home, family and other pets.  We also check for any home related safety issues.  After the home visit is completed, a recommendation is then made for adoption.  If approved you will be notified and the adoption day will be arranged.

The length of time between receiving your application and adopting your dog will depend on a variety of factors.  Generally, the process takes about 2 to 3 weeks.  Please be patient as we are all volunteers working hard in our spare time to place these dogs in a timely manner.  If you want to know the status of your application, please feel free to contact your area representative at any time.  Note that home visits are done only if you live locally to an area representative and dogs are being fostered in the area.  If no dogs are currently in your area, you may need to travel within Ohio to pick up your adopted dog.  If a dog is located at a correctional facility near you, we can often make arrangements for you to meet us there to pick up the dog.