Step 1. Learn about greyhounds
Greyhounds are unique. Because they have lived as racing dogs prior to being turned over to adoption groups, they are different from any other breed. Although most greyhounds adjust quickly and easily to life as a pampered pet, they all have much to learn.
There are many resources on the web to assist you in learning more about the breed and ensuring they are a good fit for your family and your lifestyle. See our Greyhound Resources page.
Also consider your lifestyle and commitments, now and in the future. Is this the right time to adopt ANY dog? Can you commit to making a dog an integral part of your family for the next 10 years? Will you have the time and financial resources to keep them happy and healthy?
If after doing some research and introspection, you conclude you are ready to adopt a dog and a greyhound is a great fit for you, you’re ready to move on to Step 2.
Step 2. Fill out an online adoption application
The first step is to complete an adoption application. Often, interested adopters have attended one of the many meet-and-greet events in the area, and have had one or more conversations with volunteers before the adoption application is filled out, to find out about greyhounds in general. We encourage you to ask questions, and to learn about the unique nature of our hounds!
Questions on the adoption application are designed to allow SA Greys to get a sense of your family, your home, why you are interested in greyhounds, and what you expect from a greyhound companion. Answers on the adoption application may indicate that a greyhound is not the perfect companion for you. For example, greyhounds are indoor dogs, so if you indicate that you intend to house your dog in the backyard, we can quickly determine that a greyhound may not be the best breed selection for you. Questions about pets and children help us to identify greyhounds that will or will not fit comfortably into your family. Please answer the questions fully, as it will help us to find the right dog for your lifestyle.
Step 3. Adoption Application Review
Once your application is submitted, it is reviewed by our adoption coordinator. The coordinator may contact you to clarify information on your application, or to complete missing information. When the application review is complete, it is then referred to an adoption counselor. This person is assigned to work with you throughout your adoption process. This volunteer will contact you to start a series of conversations by phone or by email, to provide information about greyhounds, to arrange your home visit, and to serve as a general resource for your questions about greyhounds.
Step 4. Home visit
The counselor will arrange a home visit convenient to your schedule. The counselor will use the home visit to answer your questions about greyhounds and greyhound adoption, and to talk with you about your family, your lifestyle and the type of companion you are seeking. The counselor will also talk with you about your home and any potential greyhound hazards. For example, many people are not aware that greyhounds right off the track know nothing about life in a home, and have never seen patio doors and plate glass windows, swimming pools, tile floors or cactus. The counselor will point out any potential hazards he or she sees, and will help you to minimize or eliminate any risk. In addition, the counselor will pay particular attention to your yard and fence, making sure your home is greyhound-safe and escape-proof. The home visit does not serve as a way for us to judge your home, housekeeping skills or decorating talent!
Step 5. Meet greyhounds!
Once the counselor has completed the home visit, and everyone agrees a greyhound is the right dog for the household, it is time to start meeting dogs! Our first priority is to match the right dog with the right home, so this may take some time – we want to do it right, not fast. Don’t get your heart set on a particular hound based solely on their appearance or coloring. Finding a hound with the right demeanor and personality for you and your lifestyle is much more important in the long run.
We are a foster-based organization, meaning all of our dogs are placed in homes with veteran greyhound adopters. Our fosters are constantly in touch with the adoption team, giving us valuable information about the hound. If you are interested in a particular hound, we will be happy to arrange a phone call or meeting so you can speak directly with the foster.
Step 6. Adoption Day!
Once you have found the perfect dog, we arrange the adoption day on a weekend or during a time when someone can be at home with the dog for a few days. The transition to a new home is a big and sometimes scary change for any dog, and having a human around can avert many initial problems.
When your counselor brings your dog to your home, they will assist you in completing the required paperwork. Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption requires a signed agreement describing the level of care you agree to provide. The agreement also ensures that if you ever have to give up your greyhound, you will notify us, return the dog to us, or involve us in any rehoming you undertake.
You will pay an adoption fee at the time of adoption, which covers a portion of SA Grey’s costs for your new greyhound. Our adoption fee covers some of our veterinary costs, including spay/neuter; blood and fecal testing; current vaccinations including rabies, distemper combo, and bordetella; de-worming; flea/tick and heartworm prevention; microchip; and an SA Greys identification tag, and GPS unit. Adopters receive a martingale collar, harness leash, muzzle, and your greyhound’s first toy. The adoption fee helps to defray at least some of the expenses you see detailed below. The adoption fee is not a donation, so it is not tax-deductible. The adoption fee is non-refundable once an adoption.
The greyhound adoption process may seem complex. We hope it doesn’t intimidate you. It is intended to result in a good match between the adopter and the greyhound. We are all working toward the same goal: finding forever homes for our greyhounds and finding just the right hound for you!
Step 7. After Adoption
All new adopters become a part of our extended SA Greys family, become Honorary Members of SA Greys, and are welcomed (and encouraged) to attend events and to become active in our organization. Our adoption counselors stay in touch with adopters, will follow up frequently during the first few weeks of adjustment, and will be available to help work though issues and problems that might arise with the new greyhound to provide support and encourage them along the way.
When you adopt a dog from Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption, you have access to greyhound experts who will answer questions and provide advice for as long as you have your dog. No matter what problem you might have, we’ve dealt with it before!
And we love to hear from you, our adopters. We have occasional meetups, events and our yearly Boo-RooUnion in October where your hound can bob for hot dogs and you can mingle with other adopters. We always want to hear from you so please email your photos and stories to communications@sagreys.org