5 Best Greyhound Rescues in Minnesota! (2023)

Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for Greyhound rescues in Minnesota. The Greyhound rescues in Minnesota in this list will provide some excellent options to find your new pet.

Luckily, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis, St. Pauls, and the rest of Minnesota have many Greyhound shelters specializing in the rehabilitation and rehoming of Greyhounds. The American Kennel Club places Greyhounds in the Hound group and describes them as independent, noble, and gentle.

They are loving with family members and are very good with other dogs. Greyhounds are primarily considered racing dogs; unfortunately, many find their way to shelters after retirement. They are used, discarded, and in many cases, have long-term health issues.

Nonprofits across the United States work to rehabilitate racing Greyhounds and find them loving homes to spend their later years. Some nonprofit organizations also work in countries such as China, where Greyhounds are slaughtered for the dog meat trade.

If there’s a breed needing your attention, it’s this one. Adopting this beautiful, graceful dog will save its life and make space in shelters for more dogs. Here is a list of Minnesota shelters that provide Greyhound dogs for adoption.

Before you scroll down this list of Greyhound rescues in Minnesota, you can check out these other rescue shelter recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Great Dane Rescues in Minnesota and Best French Bulldog Rescues in Minnesota.

Find a Greyhound Rescue Shelter Near Me in Minnesota

Our team at We Love Doodles created this list of the best Greyhound rescues in Minnesota to help save you time on your search.

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1. Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption

Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption works to rehome and rehabilitate retired Greyhound racing dogs. They have been rescuing Greyhounds for more than 21 years and are a great place to look at if you wish to adopt one.

Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption believes in finding responsible homes for Greyhounds and relies on a group of volunteers to ensure every dog is placed in a loving home environment.

They have placed around 1600 dogs in loving homes across the country, and their adoption counselors can work with you to find out if adopting a Greyhound is suitable for your family.

Before adopting, the rescue asks individuals to consider the responsibilities and commitment of adopting a Greyhound rescue. Any rescue that enters a new environment will take time to adjust and may have behavioral or medical issues; therefore, they ask for patience from new dog owners.

If you have thought it through and are sure you want to adopt, then this is what you should know:

• This rescue will not allow you to meet the dog before your application is received or approved.
• You must read one of two books recommended by the rescue regarding adopting a Greyhound rescue.
• Any family that has children under the age of six will not be allowed to adopt a Greyhound. Other puppy rescues in Minnesota may be better if you have children aged 5 or less.
• Attend any Meet and Greets held by Northern Lights where you can interact with Greyhound dogs and get an idea of the breed.
• Either submit your adoption application online or mail it in.
• After submitting your application, you will receive a phone call from one of our adoption counselors. In addition, they will interview you to see if the Greyhound breed is a good match for you and your family.
• Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to come and meet the dogs. It would be best to have all the equipment ready to take your dog home, including a crate and feeding supplies.
• The adoption fee of $428 must be paid before you take the dog home.

Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption Details

• Website: Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption
• Address:  11247 Foley Boulevard Coon Rapids, Minnesota
• Phone Number: (763) 754-9754
• Facebook: Northern Lights Greyhound’s Facebook
• Instagram: Northern Lights Greyhound’s Instagram

2. Minnesota Greyhound Rescue

Minnesota Greyhound Rescue is a unique Greyhound rescue that helps retired Greyhounds in the United States and provides safe shelter to Greyhounds rescued from China. The owners of the rescue, Lloyd, and Jen, are committed to making sure Greyhounds around the world are placed in loving homes.

They collaborate with a China-based charity called Candy Cane Rescue to fly dogs from China to the United States. They are given crucial medical care, rehabilitated, and placed in a loving homes. The dog meat trade in China has resulted in many Greyhounds being killed, skinned, and suffering horrific abuse.

Minnesota Greyhound Rescue finances the safe passage of these dogs and provides a flight volunteer who will accompany them on their journey. Their work is inspiring and makes a massive difference in the life or death of Greyhounds in China.

If you are interested in adopting from this great nonprofit, then there are a few guidelines adopting families should be aware of:

• You do not need to have a fenced yard but do need to have a leash that you can walk your dog on.
• If you have children under six, you will be required to read the book Childproofing your Dog by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson.
• They will only do adoptions within the three-mile radius of the Twin Cities area. However, if you live further out, there is a high chance your application will be rejected.

Minnesota Greyhound Rescue Details

• Website: Minnesota Greyhound Rescue
• Address: Minnesota
• Facebook: Minnesota Greyhound Rescue’s Facebook
• Instagram: Minnesota Greyhound Rescue’s Instagram

3. Greyhound Pets of America Minnesota

Greyhound Pets of America Minnesota is a nonprofit that has pet rescues in Minnesota and places them in neighboring states like Wisconsin and North and South Dakota. They are breed-specific and the Minnesota chapter of the Greyhound Pets of America.

They work to educate the community about retired Greyhound racing dogs and the breed in general. Although they do not condone Greyhound racing, they work to remove any false information circulating among dog owners about the racing industry.

The rescue has steps on its adoption page to simplify the adoption process; these are:

• You will need to fill out a form so that the rescue can assess whether a Greyhound would be a good fit for you and your family.
• You will be requested to attend a Meet and Greet so you can meet the dogs face to face.
• You will then be asked to complete an adoption application, and then you will be matched to a dog that fits your requirements based on the information you submitted in your application.
• After the rescue has matched you with a suitable dog, you will be asked to come and meet the dog.
• If all goes well, you will be asked to sign an adoption contract, make the adoption fee payment, and agree to the conditions of adoption.

Greyhound Pets of America Details

• Website: Greyhound Pets of America, Minnesota
• Address: PO Box 18312 Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Phone Number: (763) 785-4000
• Email Address:​ info@gpa-mn.org
• Facebook: Greyhound Pets of America Minnesota’s Facebook

4. American Lurcher Project

Lurcher is a kind of Greyhound that is not a separate breed but a Sighthound that has been bred with a hunting breed. They usually keep racing in amateur tracks that are more rigorous than the National Greyhound Association races.

After they reach about eight to nine years of age, they are discarded – shot, or abandoned at rescues. They are natural-born hunters, and some are kept hunting coyotes in the Dakotas and Montana.

Again, they are discarded if they reach maturity and can no longer hunt due to age or health. Lurchers make wonderful pets and are often found in Greyhound shelters across the United States.

The American Lurcher Project is a nonprofit that rescues Lurchers and places them in loving homes across the United States. They also work with local Greyhound shelters, like Minnesota Greyhound Rescue mentioned above, to synergize efforts in protecting vulnerable Lurchers.

If you are interested in adopting a Lurcher, you can look at the pictures they have provided on their site. You will be asked to fill out an adoption form and contact the rescue for the next steps. American Lurcher Project will provide transport, which can be an excellent option if you live out of state.

American Lurcher Project Details

• Website: American Lurcher Project
• Address: 11675 Council Lane Gulf Shores, Alabama (1,297.7 mi from Minnesota)
• Phone Number: (513) 478-1870
• Email Address: americanlurcherproject@gmail.com
• Facebook: American Lurcher Project’s Facebook

5. Secondhand Hounds

If you live in Minnesota and have no luck with the Greyhound rescues we mentioned above, try Secondhand Hounds. It is an animal shelter located in Minnetonka and has a variety of breeds. If you are lucky, you may find a Greyhound.

Founded in 2009, Secondhand Hounds is a registered 501 c 3 that rescues dogs from owners and kills shelters in the mid-west. In addition, they have a fully staffed veterinary hospital providing life-saving medical care to rescued dogs.

If you are interested in adopting, then you should be aware of a few things:

• They will only adopt individuals that live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
• You will be asked to fill out an application online and can hear back from the rescue in about 48 hours.
• If you rent your home, the rescue will contact your property owner to ensure that dogs are allowed on the premises.
• A home visit will be conducted, which will involve meeting you, family members, and other pets.
• After your application has been approved, you will be asked to attend a Meet and Greet. This may take place at a foster home.
• If your application is approved, you will be invited to come and meet the dog and sign an electronic adoption contract.

Try Secondhand Hounds, as they may have Greyhound rescues in Minnesota and will allow you to adopt if you live in neighboring states.

Secondhand Hounds Details

• Website: Secondhand Hounds
• Address: 5959 Baker Road, Suite 390, Minnetonka, Minnesota
• Email Address: officemanager@secondhandhounds.org
• Facebook: Secondhand Hounds’ Facebook
• Instagram: Secondhand Hounds’ Instagram

Conclusion For The “Best Greyhound Rescues in Minnesota”

Before choosing a Greyhound to adopt, it is essential to understand what to expect as a dog owner. The Greyhound breed requires exercise and activity consistently. If this is something that you are not prepared for, it is best to look for another breed. Moreover, the Greyhound is not aggressive but a natural hunter and racing dog.

If you have small dogs or children in the house, it is essential to know that you will need to keep an eye on them and possibly train your Greyhound. With these great shelters on the list, you will surely find a Greyhound to adopt in Minnesota. What a wonderful and affectionate breed that needs your support. We hope you can find one to adopt today.

For more guides similar to this list of Greyhound rescues in Minnesota, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team:

• Best Greyhound Rescues in Florida
• Best Corgi Rescues in Minnesota
• Best Goldendoodle Rescues in Minnesota

Before you adopt a Greyhound companion from a rescue shelter in Minnesota, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “Things I Love About My Greyhound” down below: