Thank you for your interest in adopting a retired racing Greyhound.
As you will see, we will be asking for information about you, your home and your history with other animals. It seems only fair that we give you some information about us!
We are the organization that wrote the book on Greyhound adoption! Since Adopting the Racing Greyhound was first published (Howell Book House, New York, 1992) it has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide and in the summer of 2003 was released in an expanded Third Edition.
To quote Joan Belle Isle of The Greyhound Project “The book that has had the single biggest impact on Greyhound adoption, Cynthia Branigan’s Adopting the Racing Greyhound has become required reading for many new Greyhound adopters around the world.
We placed our first Greyhound in 1988 and, since then, have found homes for over 4,000 others. All of this has been accomplished by an extraordinarily dedicated group of volunteers. None of our staff is paid and most have full-time jobs. Nonetheless, the defining characteristic of our group is the individual care each adopter receives, both before and after the adoption. We take great pains to match the right person with the right dog. If there needs to be some fine-tuning after the fact, we are there for you. If unforeseen circumstances require you to return a dog, we gladly accept him or her back; in fact, we insist on it!
As you read the suggested material, please think carefully about why you want to adopt. Do you really want a dog or do you just want to ease the Greyhounds’ plight? Do you have the time, money and energy to devote to a new animal? As much as we’d like to think it will all be smooth sailing, sometimes pressures from family and work can interfere with our ability to care for an animal properly. Should your Greyhound ever become ill, particularly as he or she gets older, do you have the necessary finances to give him or her the best possible care? While we do not want to discourage you from adopting, we do want you to make an informed decision. ADOPTING AN ANIMAL IS A LIFETIME COMMITMENT! Please consider all aspects of acquiring one before submitting your application. There are many ways you can help apart from adopting and our local representatives will be glad to make suggestions.
To those of you who are as sure as you can be that you are ready for the joys and challenges of adding a new member to your family, read on! If you have further questions, do not hesitate to call your local coordinator. Our commitment to you, and to the Greyhounds, begins right now!
WHAT IS THE ADOPTION FEE?
The basic fee is $235 and includes the following:
*Copy of Adopting the Racing Greyhound *Spaying or Neutering
*DHLPP inoculation *Rabies inoculation
*Negative heartworm test *De-worming with Drontal Plus
*Frontline flea/tick preventative *Flea and tick bath
*Pedicure *Ear cleaning
*Personality profiling *Cat and small animal testing
*Humane safety collar *Matching leash
*Identification tag with computerized tracking system
*Transportation from the racetrack to adoption point nearest to you
*Original exercise muzzle *Two bumper stickers
*Two posters *Fleece-covered squeaker toy
*T-shirt *Invitation to our yearly Greyhound Homecoming Picnic
*LIFETIME POST-ADOPTIVE SUPPORT!*
Please note that this fee does not cover all of the expenses we incur and any donations are greatly appreciated. While most dogs come to us in relatively good shape, we also accept those who are sick or injured. Your support will help us continue to help even those dogs who are in need of additional, and often costly, veterinary care.
WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP IN ADOPTING?
Complete both the application AND the contract and mail it back to us with a check for $15 payable to Make Peace with Animals. We will send you a copy of Adopting the Racing Greyhound.
Within a week’s time, you will hear back from us regarding your application. After checking your veterinary reference we will conduct an extensive phone interview with you during which time we will answer any questions you might have and will learn more about you, your lifestyle and your expectations for a Greyhound. Within a few days we will advise you on whether or not your application is approved. If it is, we will begin the matching process based on the date you say you are ready. The length of time it will take to get your new friend depends on the complexity of your needs. Obviously the more variables there are, (for example, a home with five children and five cats) the more time it will take to get you just the right dog. In most cases you will have your Greyhound within two weeks of acceptance.
Should your application not be approved, or if you decide to withdraw it, the $15 is not refundable. You may, however, keep your copy of the book.
We also have different adoption fees for older dogs. Vintage Greyhounds between 7 and 9 years of age are $150. The fee for Vintage Greyhounds age 10 or older is on a donation basis. Fees for Dogs of Distinction (specials needs or non-Greyhounds) will be decided on a case-by –case basis, but are typically reduced from the normal fee.