The Northwest Voice

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Rudy (left) and Kenzie were featured in a Californian article last year about greyhound adoption. Kenzie was adopted from Greyhound Pets of America and Rudy from GreySave, both located in the Southern California area. Both are former racing greyhounds and are both 6-year-old boys. They last raced at the Agua Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, where many American racing greyhounds finish their careers. They were first fostered by volunteers who acclimated them to living as pets and then we adopted them.

Some believe that adopting a retired racing greyhound is difficult. In fact, they are typically very gentle, easygoing dogs who like to sleep a lot and don’t require a large yard to run around in. In fact, they are indoor house pets, as they cannot be kept outside in a yard unprotected from temperature extremes. All they need is to be given regular on-leash walks to potty and a soft bed or couch to lie on in the home. They are affectionately called “45-miles-per-hour couch potatoes.” Many easily adapt to living with other pets and in homes with small children.

Adopting one is not difficult, but most adoption groups require an application to be completed, and even may visit your home to ensure that adopting a greyhound is appropriate for your family. If you are approved, the fee is typically $250 to $300, which covers the medical evaluation of your greyhound, spay or neutering, and its care during its fostering. Once you have your new greyhound you are not alone, however, as the adoption groups are always available to assist you with questions that may come up. There is a great group of greyhound owners here in Bakersfield and we regularly get together for play dates with our greyhounds and at meet-and-greets to promote adoption.

We really enjoy providing a forever home for our greyhounds.