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Getting Started
If you are interested in adopting a greyhound, the first thing you need to do is visit the website of any of the organizations mentioned in the first section of this article. Once there, fill out the online adoption application. You may also request a printed application by contacting the organization at their given address.
The Application Process
After receiving your completed application, a placement professional will contact you to schedule a visit to your home. You and the placement consultant will create a profile of the greyhound that is most suited to your lifestyle and requirements during your visit. Your queries will be answered by the placement representative when you are there. If you decide to adopt and your application is granted, your placement agent will advise you on how to make the addition of your greyhound a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Making The Payment
The signed contract and payment are required when you acquire your new greyhound. Your placement agent will ask you to complete a one-page form and hand over a packet of information and coupons. Adoption fees may vary depending on the service provider; however, it should be around $350. This will also include neutering or spaying, along with teeth cleaning if necessary.
The cost you will pay also covers deworming, blood and heartworm tests, and all necessary shots such as corona vaccinations, rabies vaccine, DHLPP, and Bordetella vaccinations. All of these need to be done before the greyhound is adopted. You'll also get an identifying tag, as well as a greyhound safety collar and leash for your new pet. It should be mentioned here that the total cost of adopting a retired greyhound is going to vary depending on the organization you choose, which is why it is smart to do your research and compare the options before you move forward.
Documents and Certifications
Your pet is a member of your family, perhaps even your best friend, yet they are considered personal property under animal law. As a result, you may need to show confirmation of legal ownership. Proof of ownership might be as easy as a local shelter adoption certificate or as complicated as an AKC registration record. To eliminate any problems that may develop in the event of a disagreement, try to obtain something formal and get it notarized. If you share your dogs with someone else — such as roommates who should adopt a "house dog," have a written agreement that says who the owner or owners are.
After receiving a rabies vaccine, dogs and cats are usually given a tag to wear. An important document is the certificate/proof of rabies vaccination administration. The number of rabies vaccines necessary varies from state to state. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), certain states are beginning to grant vaccine exemptions if a veterinarian determines that it is medically required. If this applies to your pet(s), make sure you have a copy of the waiver on hand.
You should have a copy of this information as well, as veterinarians retain it in their paper and/or computer files. Admission to pet-friendly hotels and some expos and pet-friendly events is frequently contingent on current immunization records. Have this document on hand if your pet obtains a yearly blood titer level to demonstrate amounts of specific immunizations in the circulation.
Although no one expects it to happen to them, divorce or separations do occur, and custody disputes over pets ensue. Because pets are considered property in the eyes of the law, whoever can establish they own the animal(s) will almost certainly be granted the right to retain and care for it. An AKC registration record or anything more official that is legal and notarized can be used as proof of ownership. If you share your dogs with someone else, be sure you have written proof of ownership.
Importing a Greyhound
Several greyhound adoption organizations resorted to nations with more active dog racing sectors, such as Spain and Oman, prior to the epidemic, but the faltering economy and visa restrictions have delayed overseas adoptions.
The laws for importing your dog into the United States vary depending on your country of origin. Many animals can contract rabies, but the CDC is focused on preventing canine rabies from entering the United States. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gather and evaluate rabies data from across the world to estimate a country's rabies risk.
Dog rabies was eradicated in the United States in 2007, and it is either under control or non-existent in a number of other nations. Over 100 nations, on the other hand, do not have it under control, and dogs from these high-risk countries can bring the disease into the United States.
Greyhounds vaccinated by a US-licensed veterinarian are eligible to enter the country without the need of a permit, provided they have a rabies vaccination from a US licensed vet and have proof of a microchip. Vaccination certificates issued in the United States that have expired will not be acknowledged.
If your dog's rabies vaccination certification from the United States has expired, owners will have to apply for a Dog Import Permit if you are eligible. If you want to import a dog from a high-risk nation into the United States, it is advised to start the process 30 days in advance when getting a CDC Dog Import Permit.
Also, written declarations and other papers must be written in English or be certified as such. A translation has been signed on an authentic letterhead from a licensed translator stating that the translation is a truthful and accurate portrayal of the source material.
Greyhounds are simple to live with, with the exception of mischievous pups of any breed. Retired greyhounds are peaceful and are unlikely to bark at the door since they are not territorial. In truth, many people are too lazy to stand up and meet your visitors. They don't have the typical 'doggy' odor that pervades automobiles and residences.
Their coats are low-maintenance, and all that is required is a weekly brushing and the odd wash to keep any stray hairs at bay. Because most don't shed much, your clothes and floors won't be covered with hair. Because racing dogs are confined in kennels, their hair thickens. This 'kennel coat' may be progressively brushed out once they become a house dog.
Greyhounds are also known to be calm and accepting of human contact. When they're given a massage, their friendly nature mixes with their sleepiness to produce the 'greyhound lean,' in which they stand and lay their full weight against your legs. They're fantastic with kids; however, as the saying goes, let sleeping dogs lie. Racing greyhounds aren't used to being woken without warning, and some can be startled, which could result in an unwanted attack.
