7 Best Greyhound Rescues in the United States!

Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for Greyhound rescues in the United States. The Greyhound dates back some 5,000 years to Egypt. Popularly known as the dog of the pharaohs, the Greyhound was trained to sense, chase, and catch wildlife in the vast Egyptian desert.

The divine exquisiteness of these dogs was seen as an extension of the pharaoh’s majesty and power, and even after their reign ended, nobles kept these dogs as a status symbol. Fast forward to today, and the Greyhound is still considered a majestic and noble companion.

However, despite its unparalleled hunting skills and aristocratic background, the Greyhound is quite common in shelters and puppy rescues in the United States. Most Greyhounds find themselves in dog rescues when they don’t perform well in dog racing competitions.

Typically, Greyhounds are trained to be racing dogs, and once they aren’t capable of performing, they are abandoned or surrendered. However, besides being prized competition dogs, Greyhounds are gentle and calm dogs with a loving disposition. Their hunting instincts make them excellent guard dogs, while their gentle nature makes them perfect for children and smaller animals.

Therefore, these gentle aristocratic dogs are the most versatile companion animals. So why not browse Greyhound rescues in the United States to find your next pet? Moreover, adoption costs are often much lower than the price charged by Greyhound breeders, and you’ll also play your part in giving a dog a second chance at a loving home.

Before you scroll down this list of Greyhound rescues in the United States, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Boston Terrier Rescues in the United States and Best Brittany Spaniel Rescues in the United States.

Find a Greyhound Dog Rescue Shelter Near Me in the United States

Our team at We Love Doodles created this list of the best Greyhound rescues in the United States to help you find a companion.

Greyhound Product Recommendations: Best Dog Scooting Treatments and Best Dog Bowls Made in the United States.

1. FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California, Inc. – California

FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California, Inc is an all-volunteer, non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization to help retired racing Greyhounds from the Caliente Race Track in Tijuana find happy forever homes.

Established in October 1995, its team of dedicated and experienced volunteers has, to date, helped 4,000 ex-racing hounds find post-retirement companionship. FastFriends only adopt Greyhounds from areas with trained Placement Representatives who offer support during and after adoption.

Moreover, the rescue only processes applications from the Greater Los Angeles area, i.e., Orange County, Los Angeles County, Western Riverside County, and certain areas of Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino, and Santa Barbara counties.

The rescue’s adoption fee is $350, which comprises a $50 tax-deductible donation to cover various costs and a $300 fee which covers neutering/spaying, dental work, deworming, heartworm testing, blood testing, and immunizations.

After submitting an adoption application, a Placement Representative will contact you for further discussion. The Rep. will also guide you on caring for a Greyhound and whether the breed will be a good match for you. A home visit will follow this, and once everything is approved, you will be cleared to adopt a Greyhound from the rescue.

FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California, Inc. Details

• Address: Cypress Street, La Habra Heights, California, United States
• Postcode: 90631
• Phone: (800) 298-5743
• Website: FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California, Inc.
• Social Media: FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California, Inc.’s Facebook

2. National Greyhound Adoption Program – Pennsylvania

National Greyhound Adoption Program is a federally designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in Philadelphia in 1989. Its main goals are finding homes forever for ex-racing Greyhounds, being as helpful as possible to adopters, spreading awareness about the breed and its problems, and providing personalized medical care for all rescued Greyhounds.

In 1995, National Greyhound Adoption Program started its own Greyhound Clinic and Surgical Facility for specialized Greyhound care and treatment. The set-up performs more than 2,000 procedures under anesthesia annually, more than any United States facility.

The clinic also performs routine check-ups, immunizations, sterilization, and amputations and excels in dentistry. In October 2009, National Greyhound Adoption Program moved to a new adoption and boarding facility in Northeast Philadelphia, with larger kennels and more comfortable beds for its rescue dogs.

Currently, the kennels house about 40 to 50 Greyhounds and can accommodate 40 to 50 boarding Greyhounds for vacationing owners. National Greyhound Adoption Program’s adoption fees are between $350 to $400 and cover spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, and dental cleaning.

In addition, a non-refundable deposit fee of $150 must be deposited with the adoption application, along with a reference form. Once the application and references are received, the information is forwarded to an Adoption Coordinator who carefully reviews the application and selects the best Greyhound for you.

National Greyhound Adoption Program Details

• Address: 10901 Dutton Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
• Postcode: 19154
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (215) 331-7918
• Website: National Greyhound Adoption Program

3. Greyhound Pets, Inc. – Washington

Third on our list of Greyhound rescues is Greyhound Pets, Inc. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization works to find homes forever for retired racing Greyhounds in the Pacific Northwest. Greyhound Pets, Inc. is devoted to the safety and well-being of Greyhounds and Greyhound mixes and serves the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Canada.

The rescue’s highly trained volunteers and sponsors help provide compassion, support, and veterinary services to all the rescue dogs under its care. Moreover, they also offer helpful resources and education for adoptive families and the general community.

The adoption fee varies according to the age of the dogs and is as follows:

• Under 9 years: $500
• Aged 9 and above: $400 (cost remains the same for senior dogs)

Once you complete and submit the adoption application, a regional VP will schedule a home visit. If approved, you’ll be given an appointment to meet the available Greyhounds. Once you choose your puppy, you’ll have to pay an adoption donation and complete the necessary paperwork.

Greyhound Pets, Inc. Details

• Address: PO Box 891, Woodinville, Washington, United States
• Postcode: 98072
• Phone: (877) 468-7681
• Website: Greyhound Pets, Inc.
• Social Media: Greyhound Pets, Inc.’s Facebook

4. Greyhound Adoption Center (Houndsavers) – California

Since 1987, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Greyhound Adoption Center, better known as Houndsavers, has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed thousands of Greyhounds and Greyhound mixes. Its program prioritizes the well-being and medical care of all its dogs as they move on to their forever homes.

The Greyhound Adoption Center ensures every dog is best-suited to its new family. Greyhound Adoption Center was officially completed in 2008 and spanned over 3.5 acres near El Cajon, only 25 minutes from downtown San Diego, California.

Among the most prominent private Greyhound rescues in the United States, the Greyhound Adoption Center can house as many as 60 dogs and additionally support about 20 medically-fostered puppies in private homes. The center provides shelter, transportation, and food and also performs extensive surgeries on their rescue dogs for broken legs, etc.

While they await adoption, the dogs are kept in cage-free modules with air conditioning. In addition, they are well-socialized with people, children, and other animals, and their behavior is assessed and documented by expert profilers to match them with the perfect adoptive families.

Greyhound Adoption Center Details

• Address: PO Box 2433 La Mesa, California, United States
• Postcode: 91943
• Phone: (877) 478-8364
• Website: Greyhound Adoption Center
• Social Media: Greyhound Adoption Center’s Facebook

5. Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption – Minnesota

Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption is a non-profit organization devoted to finding safe and caring homes for ex-racing Greyhounds. Along with its rescue operation, Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption educates the community about Greyhounds and how to look after them responsibly.

It has more than 21 years of experience and has successfully rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,600 Greyhounds. The rescue’s adoption coordinators work closely with adopters to assess whether the Greyhound is the perfect breed for them and their families.

To encourage people to learn more about the breed, Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption regularly sponsors and schedules events where you can spend some time with its dogs. Once you send an adoption application, coordinators from the rescue will review your submission and call you for an interview to assess if you’re the right match for a Greyhound.

You can also ask any questions you might have during this time. A home visit will follow the interview. Once everything is approved, the coordinators will schedule an appointment for you to meet your new pet Greyhound. The adoption fee is $428.50.

Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption Details

• Address: 11247 Foley Boulevard, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, United States
• Postcode: 55448
• Phone: (763) 754-9754
• Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
• Website: Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption
• Social Media: Nothern Lights Greyhound Adoption’s Facebook

6. Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption – Kentucky

Number six on our list of pet rescues in the United States is the 501(c)(3) organization Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption. Dedicated to finding loving homes for ex-racing greyhounds, Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption provides consistent support to pet parents after adoption and educates the community about the Greyhound breed.

It also advocates harmony and collaboration within the retired racing Greyhound fraternity. Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption is committed to ensuring that every individual/family that adopts a Greyhound is physically, morally, and financially capable of fulfilling the responsibility of providing these dogs with the best quality of life.

Since the rescue currently has an increasing number of Greyhounds available, it holds two regular Meet and Greets each month for potential adopters to meet and interact with these special dogs. After submitting your adoption application, a representative from the rescue will contact you within a week.

Once the application is approved, you’ll need to submit a non-refundable application fee of $50, after which a home visit will be scheduled. If everything fits, an additional $275 will be charged on the adoption day. The cost of adoption is $325, which covers medical vetting and transportation.

Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption Details

• Address: 1229 Melody Lane, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
• Postcode: 40514
• Website: Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption
• Social Media: Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption’s Facebook

7. Greyhound Angels Adoption – New Jersey

And last on our list of Greyhound rescues in the United States is Greyhound Angels Adoption. This non-profit, federal 501(c)(3) organization is devoted to placing retired racing Greyhounds into compassionate forever homes. The rescue collaborates with reputable breeders, dog owners, and trainers within the racing industry to help match its dogs with good families.

Greyhound Angels Adoption has over 18 years of experience and has rescued and rehomed 3,000 Greyhounds. All the dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for heartworm and other diseases common to the Greyhound breed. In addition, all vet records for the adoptable dogs are also available.

Once you submit your adoption application, you will receive a confirmation call within 24 hours. A representative from the rescue will ask you some questions and check your references and vet references. If approved, you’ll be invited to meet and interact with all the Greyhounds that match your profile to choose your forever friend. The adoption fee is $575.

Greyhound Angels Adoption Details

• Address: 2688 South Black Horse Pike, Monroe, New Jersey, United States
• Postcode: 08094
• Phone: (856) 292-8780
• Website: Greyhound Angels Adoption
• Social Media: Greyhound Angels Adoption’s Facebook

Choosing a Greyhound Dog Rescue Shelter in the United States

If you’re looking for pet rescues in the United States on your own, here are some essential aspects to consider:

• The Greyhound dogs are well taken care of: Many rescue animals suffer from upper respiratory illnesses, ticks/mites, heartworm, aren’t spayed/neutered/vaccinated, etc. Look at how the rescue handles these challenges. How effective is its nutritional and veterinary care?
• The Greyhound rescue shelter is not overpopulated with dogs: Dedicated rescues limit the number of animals they take in. Some focus on a single breed with enough experience and knowledge.
• The Greyhound rescue shelter has good business ethics: See if the rescue has a 501(c) charitable status and if its staff and volunteers are trained specifically for rescue work. It also has a set of rules for adoption and fostering. You can look for online reviews or talk to people who have worked with the rescue or adopted it.
• Volunteers and workers from the rescue shelter are friendly and cooperative: All good rescues are eager to answer your questions and dedicated to creating the perfect pet-person match. This increases the chances of a successful adoption.
• The rescue shelter participates in dog rescue events: Being at public events gives the community a chance to interact with the pets. It also helps the rescue establish its presence and highlight its needs.
• The rescue must have solid connections: Links with other rescues/shelters, spay/neuter clinics, veterinarians, trainers, etc.

More Information About Greyhounds in the United States

A champion sprinter, the Greyhound breed is gentle, free-spirited, mild-tempered, and a great lifelong companion. These elegant creatures have served as an inspiration for poets, artists, and kings for thousands of years. Greyhounds are built for high-speed chases – their aerodynamic skull and shock-absorbing pads make them the perfect hunting and racing breed.

According to experienced pet owners, Greyhounds are among the best-natured breeds and make exceptional house pets. They are intelligent dogs that love playing with children and adults. This breed is relatively low-maintenance and adapts easily to different home environments, including apartments.

It may seem like Greyhounds always want to run after something, but in reality, all they want is a soft sofa and a daily 20-minute walk. A rather distinct feature is their bark, which is more of a scream and a howl. Overall, they are an excellent choice for first-time pet owners, and with a life expectancy of about 10 to 14 years, they are bound to bring joy to your family for quite some years.

Conclusion For The “Best Greyhound Rescues in the United States”

Like all animals, Greyhounds are loving and sensitive creatures that don’t deserve to be left in rescues and shelters. So, if you’re considering adopting a Greyhound, contact the rescue organizations listed above today and see if they have a match available. Also, don’t forget to donate generously to puppy rescues in the United States and support their humble cause.

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

• Best Greyhound Rescues in Florida
• Best Australian Cattle Dog Rescues in the United States
• Best Cocker Spaniel Rescues in the United States

Before you adopt a Greyhound companion from a rescue shelter in the United States, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “A Beginner’s Guide to Living with a Greyhound” down below: