Adoption FAQ

Adopting a retired racing greyhound through CGA is a simple process. Prospective adopters must fill out our adoption application here. Applicants will be contacted by a CGA representative and a meeting will be scheduled during which any of the applicant’s questions may be answered. The adopter’s preferences in a greyhound will be discussed, along with a review of available hounds so that a compatible match between hound and home can be made.

The current adoption fee is $500. A discounted fee is available if you adopt through our Fostering With Intent program, though slots may be limited. For details, please review our Foster FAQ.

When you complete the adoption application, you can indicate the dog you are interested in adopting. However, there is no guarantee that we can place that specific dog with you.

The length of the process depends on the number of approved adopters, as well as the number of dogs that are available. In general, households with no other pets will be able to adopt sooner than those with pets.

CGA has several meet & greet events throughout the year. Please check our event calendar for upcoming gatherings. Once a dog is in foster care, we can connect approved adopters with the dog’s foster family to arrange for a private meeting.

Fenced in yards are not required, but you must be willing to walk your greyhound 2-3 times per day so they get adequate exercise.

In general, most retired racing greyhounds are between 2-4 years old.

Yes, all retired racers visit a vet, have their teeth cleaned, and are spayed/neutered before becoming eligible for adoption. They are also dewormed and treated with flea/tick medicine.

No. If the dog you adopt is not suitable for your home, we will work with you to find another more appropriate dog.

Cats and smaller dogs are new to a greyhound, so extra time and care are required to make a happy home for all. We strongly recommend using an ABUNDANCE of caution. Although CGA tests the greyhounds for small animal compatibility there are NO guarantees so be watchful and alert when socializing your new greyhound with existing family pets especially those SMALLER than your greyhound.

In the beginning, CGA urges all new greyhound adopters to keep their grey muzzled and closely supervise all interaction with other family companion animals, especially small ones. Never leave a greyhound unsupervised with small breed dogs or cats until the relationships are well established. Even then never turn your greyhound out in the yard with a cat and use an abundance of caution with smaller breed dogs.

Adult greyhounds stand between 23 and 30 inches at the shoulder and generally weigh between 50 to 85 pounds.

CGA suggests fostering a greyhound before deciding to adopt. This will allow you to better understand the breed, and determine if a greyhound is the right dog for you. You can also attend any of our meet & greets or events to learn more about greyhounds. Click here to view upcoming events.

No, greyhounds are not hypoallergenic, but they shed very little. They’re typically clean, low-maintenance, and nearly odor-free.

• Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies by Lee Livingood: This book has a wealth of information for the prospective adopter.
• Identification tag with your phone number and address. A large percentage of greyhounds that become lost do so within the first few weeks of adoption.
• Large dog bed – pillow style. The bigger, the better!
• Crate and crate pad or comforter: 48 inches long. The crate MUST be big enough for the dog to stand and turn around comfortably.
• Martingale collar: the “greyhound” collar. One will be provided by CGA at the time of adoption.
• Leash: 4, 5, or 6 foot long only. No retractable leashes!
• Flea and Tick Treatment: Such as Frontline, Frontline Plus (fleas and ticks), or Simparica Trio
• Heartworm Medication: Must be obtained from your vet. Interceptor, Simparica Trio, or Heartguard are acceptable. The 6 month preventative shot is NOT SAFE for greyhounds.
• Grooming supplies: Soft brush or curry comb, nail clippers or dremel, ear wipes, dog toothpaste (enzymatic) and toothbrush
• Elevated dog bowl stand with 2 quart stainless steel bowls
• High-quality kibble: Purina ProPlan (most off-track dogs do well on PP), Canidae, Nutro, Natural Balance, or Nature’s Recipe
• Coats: Wait until you adopt to get the correct size. There are many online vendors specializing in greyhound clothing
• Extra stuff: Toys (furry ones that squeak), treats, Kong toys

Not as much as you might think. Greyhounds are sprinters, not marathon runners—they enjoy short bursts of activity followed by plenty of lounging. Most are happy with a couple of daily walks and some playtime.

Click here to read CGA’s lost dog process.

Before you apply, please remember that adopting a greyhound can be a commitment of 10 years or more. Everyone in your household should be on board with bringing a greyhound into your family. If you or someone in your home is unsure, we encourage you to visit one of our events to meet some greyhounds in person. Ask our volunteers anything—they love sharing stories about their dogs.