Adoption Process — Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest

Interested in Adopting? You’ve come to the right place.

What is our adoption process?

Adoption Policies

GPA NW places greyhounds bred to race in loving homes throughout Oregon and the SW corner of Washington. Since most tracks in the U.S. have closed, we now bring greyhounds from Ireland and Australia find loving homes.

Prior to adoption, new dogs spend time in an experienced foster home. The dogs learn about life in a home and the fosterers develop a profile of each dog.

Please note that dogs from Australia and Ireland CANNOT be kept in crates as per the agreements with the rehoming groups in those two countries.

Adoption area. GPA Northwest’s adoption area is strictly limited to Oregon and the SW corner of Washington.

Since there are fewer retired racers than we had in prior years, we are currently limiting applications to people who:

have previously adopted a greyhound
or have greyhound or large dog experience
or own a home
or rent a house or apartment that has a completely secured fenced yard.

Children. We do not place a greyhound in a home with children younger than 5.
Application deposit and application fee. We require a $100 application deposit. If your application is approved, the deposit is applied toward the $800 adoption fee.

We try our best to provide you with a suitable greyhound within 90 days. If we do not have a dog that is a good fit for you, the deposit can be refunded or you can continue to wait for the right dog.
All potential adopters are required to have a home visit with one of our volunteers.
If you change your mind about adoption after applying, the deposit is not returned.

Adoption Agreement. Our adopters must agree to:

House their dog indoors; greyhounds are not outdoor dogs.
Keep their dog on a leash when outdoors and not in a secure fenced area.
Not crate Irish or Australian dogs.
Return their dog to Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest if unable to take care of the dog. The dog is not to be sold, re-homed, or advertised. We will find the dog a safe, loving new home.

Adoption Process

1. Use our online form (below). This is the fastest way to begin the process. Your application will be sent to us immediately and we will respond to you quickly. NOTE: You MUST fill in all starred areas of the application, pay the $100 application fee, then click to Submit button in order for your application to be forwarded to the Placement Coordinator.
2. Download a printable application, fill it out and mail it to Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest, PO Box 6524, Portland, OR 97228-6524
Submit the $100 application deposit through our PayPal below. If your application is approved, the deposit is applied toward the $800 adoption fee.
One of our trained placement volunteers will contact you for a phone interview and answer any questions you have.
After the phone interview, the placement volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home. You and the placement representative will put together a profile of the dog best suited to your lifestyle and needs, as well as identify any safety issues in your home and yard.
You receive an emailed link to our New Owners Guide.
Most of our available greyhounds are in foster homes. We compare the profile you have developed with the foster home profiles and select dogs that are the best fit. Your placement representative will contact you with the names and description of the dogs we think best meet your preferences and needs, as well as the needs of the greyhound. The dogs may be brought to your home or to a visit at Hounds Rest, our temporary kennel. You can choose one of these dogs or continue looking.
Once you’ve found the right dog for you, your placement representative will meet with you to complete the adoption.
You have one (1) week from the time you select a greyhound to adopt and take possession of the dog, or you will be charge a $20.00 per day boarding fee. This defers the cost to maintain your greyhound in our foster program after it is adopted.

What Veterinary Care Your New Greyhound Received:

Before your greyhound goes home with you, he/she:

is neutered or spayed.
has a complete dental treatment (cleaning, polishing, any necessary extractions).
has all vaccinations updated – typically DHPP, Leptospirosis and Rabies.
has received heartworm testing and preventative monthly treatment.
has received initial de-worming treatment – round worms, hook worms, tape worms, whip worms.
has had flea and tick treatment applied, typically Simparica Trio, Frontline Plus or Advantage Multi.
has had all extraordinary medical treatment need to be happy and healthy.
has had any extraordinary blood testing needed, such as testing for tick-borne diseases and fungal disease.
has had full bloodwork “senior panel” performed if a senior-aged greyhound (age 6 and above)

Your new greyhound also comes with a martingale collar, leash, a month of flea, tick and heartworm medication, and other items.

Completing the Adoption

Your placement representative brings your chosen greyhound to your home. If this final visit goes well and you are confident this is the dog for you, your presentative helps you complete our Adoption Contract. You also receive a packet of information about your dog and helpful literature for new greyhound owners.

Follow-Up.

Your placement representative contacts you the day after the adoption, a week later and a few times during the next two months. This is to answer any questions you have and any issues that have come up. You can also call us any time you have a question or want information. You can’t call too often; we are always there and want your greyhound to fit well into your family.

We also include you on our mailing list so you receive our newsletter and other special announcements. We hold a variety of fun events during the year and encourage you to participate as a way to meet other greyhound owners and learn from their experience, as well as give you dog times to interact with other greyhounds and enjoy a romp on our Play Dates, Annual Picnic and other events.