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The GPA Northwest Difference

Our Greyhounds Live In Foster Homes

GPA Northwest is a Foster-home based adoption program. All of the dogs we receive spend time in foster homes before being adopted. This means that the dogs are familiar with an in-home environment, have spent time walking on a leash, are learning how to play with children and adults and have begun or completed the house-training process.

We believe that this time in a foster home allows us to better understand the nature and personality of each dog so that we can recommend the right Greyhound for you and your home. Greyhounds have unique lives before being adopted. The transition from racing and their life in a kennel to being a pet and living in a home is process that can only begin once they actually enter a home.

The dogs true personality comes out once they are in a home environment. Our foster program allows that transition to begin and the Greyhounds personality to blossom. It also allows you to see what your new Greyhound is really like before you make the decision to adopt. Selecting the right dog for your home and situation is the most important thing we do as placement representatives. The more we know about our dogs, the better our placements are. GPA Northwest is the only Foster-based adoption program for Greyhounds in the Northwest and we believe it makes a positive difference for you and for the Greyhounds.

Medical Care

GPA Northwest provides much more medical care and preparation for their Greyhounds than most organizations, therefore our costs are higher and our adoption fee may be higher. We have a complete veterinary dental cleaning done on EVERY Greyhound entering our program. We don't cut corners by providing dental cleaning for only some of our dogs. If a dog needs any teeth extracted, we take care of that as well so you don't have to make another visit to your vet. All of our senior aged Greyhounds have a complete blood profile, called an SA1620/Superchem, which is a very in-depth view of the dogs health. Any Greyhound that shows signs of injury or illness is seen by a veterinarian specifically for that issue. If needed, the dog will see a specialist to get the best possible treatment. We believe that all of this extra care is best for the dogs and their new owners. Ask your veterinarian what it will cost to have a dogs teeth cleaned and the other things on this list and you will agree that our adoption fee is very reasonable!

Before your Greyhound goes home with you he or she,

  • is neutered or spayed

  • has a complete dental treatment (cleaning, polishing, and any  extractions that may have been necessary)

  • has all vaccinations updated (Typically DHPP & Rabies)

  • has received heartworm testing and preventative

  • has received de-worming (Round Worms, Tape Worms, Hook Worms, Whip Worms)

  • has had flea & tick treatment applied (typically Frontline Plus or Advantage)

  • has been treated for several potential parasites, such as Giardia

  • has had all extraordinary medical treatment needed to be happy and healthy

  • has had any extraordinary blood testing needed, such as testing for tick-borne diseases and fungal disease

  • all Senior aged Greyhounds have full blood work performed (SA1620/Superchem)

  • has been loved by a foster family and taught about life as a retired racing Greyhound

Support And Follow up

GPA Northwest has been here for over 20 years and we will continue to be here for you and your Greyhound. Our volunteers are experienced with Greyhounds and are ready to support you when you need information, assistance or a friend to call on. Our program provides regular follow up with our adopters right from the fist day, week and the first months of your new Greyhound's arrival. We can help you with little things, like understanding your Greyhounds feeding schedule to big things, like house training and medical decisions.

We consider you part of our extended family and want you and your Greyhound to always feel welcome at GPA events and comfortable calling us anytime. Your placement representative will give you their home telephone number so you can call anytime you need help. We have an Email specifically for assistance to our adopters, it is the HelpNW email address, available on our contact page. You can also contact our officers and directors yourself at any time, our door is always open.

History

The GPA Northwest History IS the history of Greyhound Adoption in the Northwest and we are proud to be a part of the rewarding, wonderful experience of finding homes for Greyhounds. You can be a part of the history too by adopting a Greyhound, contributing to our cause or volunteering your time.

GPA Northwest is the original Greyhound Adoption organization in Oregon. We began in the early 1980's, long before there was any support for adoption programs, with just one person working to find homes for Greyhounds that could no longer race but had a long life left to share. By 1993 the organization was growing and became a non-profit corporation with 501c3 tax-exempt status. Since then, GPA Northwest has been the leader in Greyhound Adoption in Oregon and developed most of the formal procedures used by everyone working with Greyhound adoption in the Northwest, including many other Greyhound organizations in the area. Nearly every person working in Greyhound adoption in Oregon started at GPA Northwest or has been trained by someone that did.

GPA Northwest was instrumental in helping to establish the holding kennel formerly at the Multnomah Greyhound Park racetrack. Our volunteers established and staffed weekly walking days for the Greyhounds and monthly bath days. When the racetrack closed in 2004, GPA Northwest maintained our commitment to find homes for Greyhounds that could not race. Working directly with the owners and trainers, we continued to be the leading adoption organization in Oregon. These relationships with Greyhound racing owners and trainers means that every Greyhound that began it's life in Oregon can return to Oregon, knowing they will find homes through the GPA Northwest Adoption program. In addition to Oregon bred Greyhounds, we also find homes for Greyhounds from many other states where racing continues.