The Adoption Process

We want each potential adopter to take the time, before they adopt, to learn about retired racing Greyhounds to fully understand the type of dog they will be adopting. This way, a potential adopter can be sure that a Greyhound fits their expectations and lifestyle.

If you decide a Greyhound is right for you and your situation and you are interested in adopting a Greyhound, we recommend reading one of the following books on greyhound adoption: Adopting the Racing Greyhound by Cynthia Branigan (Revised Edition), Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies by Lee Livingood. You can also attend one of our Meet & Greets and talk to other adopters about your needs and Greyhounds. If you have young children, we strongly recommend that you read Childproofing Your Dog by Brian Kilcommons. The more you know, the happier your dog and you will be.

You MUST keep your Greyhound on a leash whenever it is outdoors unless it is in a fenced-in area. Never trust your Greyhound to not run away. They can be very difficult to get back and percentages show that the majority of Greyhounds are hit by cars if they get loose.

Fences are normally required if a child is under 5 years old.  Occasionally exceptions are made.

Invisible/underground fencing is not an acceptable containment system for your Greyhound.  Greyhounds can reach racing speed in just a few strides and they will go right through any invisible fencing.  Also, tie-outs and clothesline type runs are also not acceptable and very dangerous for your Greyhound.  When a Greyhound reaches the end of the line at 45 mph, they are likely to break their neck.  Greyhounds are house companions and that is the only acceptable environment for your new Greyhound.

Are You Ready to Adopt? Consider the following:

--  They need an annual health check.

--  They MUST be on heartworm preventative.

--  They need to be fed a premium dog food.

--  They sometimes need flea control.

-- You need to keep their area clean.

-- They can become sick or injured and need medical treatment..

Greyhounds may live to 12 or 14 years of age therefore requiring a long-term commitment on your part!  If you are ready to make that commitment, please continue with the application!

The Application – Getting Started

It is the goal of Shamrock Greyhound Placement to find the best dog for your home.  It is important that you be honest with your placement representative regarding what traits you are looking for in your Greyhound.  We work very closely with our foster homes to find just the right dog for your home and situation.

If you are not sure you are ready to adopt a Greyhound, please do not fill out the application.  Call an adoption representative and discuss your questions or concerns or attend an upcoming meet and greet. A submitted application implies you and/or your family are sure you are ready to apply to adopt a Greyhound.

A $50 deposit is required at the time of the home visit.  The deposit will be applied to the adoption fee at time of placement.  If after the home visit I choose not to adopt a Greyhound.  I understand that the money will be considered a donation and will be applied to the Shamrock Greyhound Placement General Fund.  I understand that if my application is denied, the deposit will be returned to me.

You can call for an application to be mailed to you, e-mail  us or use our online application. The online application button will take you to the Greyhounds of Shamrock website. Once your application is received, someone will call you to schedule a telephone interview and home visit. If you do not hear from us within a few days, please call since occasionally technology fails us.

The Home Visit

During the home visit, we will go over how to care for your Greyhound. We will also be looking for safety issues that may need to be addressed before you bring your new Greyhound home.
We will work closely with you to match the right greyhound with your family’s needs. The better we get to know you, the easier it will be to find the right match for you.  

Greyhound Tatoos