How Greyhound Adoption Works: From Application to Bringing Your Hound Home

Greyhound adoption places a retired racing dog into a permanent home as a companion animal. In New South Wales, the Greyhound Adoption Program (NSW) Inc. (GAP NSW) is a non-profit, incorporated charity whose stated purpose is to educate the public on Greyhounds as companion animals and to find them permanent loving homes. It relies on memberships and donations and does not accept Greyhound Racing industry funds. The steps below describe how the process typically works and what to check before you commit.

Is a Greyhound right for you?

Greyhounds are generally calm indoor dogs that adapt well to home life after racing, but they are individuals. Before applying, be honest about:

• Exercise and space — they need daily walks and a safe area, not a large yard.
• Time alone — most cope with a normal working day once settled, but not with being left for very long hours from day one.
• Other pets — prey drive varies. Some Greyhounds are safe with cats and small animals; others are not. GAP NSW lists "Cats and greyhounds" as a topic on its site, so ask specifically about any dog you are considering if you have a cat.
• House rules — stairs, slippery floors, and open front doors are common early challenges for a dog that has never lived in a house.

GAP NSW's site includes a "Is a Greyhound right for you?" section and a "Why a GAP NSW dog?" page, which are the best starting points for the program's own guidance.

The adoption process, step by step

The exact sequence is set by the program, but the general path is:

1. Learn about the breed and the program. Read the "Is a Greyhound right for you?" and "Why a GAP NSW dog?" pages, plus "How can you adopt a Greyhound?".
2. Submit an application form. GAP NSW lists "Application Forms" in its main navigation. The form captures your household, fencing, other pets, and experience so the program can match you with a suitable hound.
3. Meet available hounds. Browse the "Available Hounds" page, then arrange to meet dogs in person. GAP NSW also runs events and a "Greyhound Walk" where you can meet Greyhounds and their owners.
4. Home check and matching. The program assesses whether your home suits a particular dog — fencing, gates, and resident pets are the usual focus.
5. Fees and paperwork. Adoption fees, if any, are set by the program; the site's public pages do not state amounts, so confirm directly. You will also complete registration and transfer paperwork.
6. Take your hound home and settle in. Expect an adjustment period of weeks, not days.

How to verify each step: use the GAP NSW site's own pages (About GAP NSW, Available Hounds, Application Forms, Contact Us) and email [email protected] with specific questions. The site also lists a Facebook presence for updates.

Muzzle rules for pet Greyhounds in NSW

This is the rule most new owners get wrong. From 1 July 2019, the regulations changed:

• Greyhounds registered on the Companion Animals Register no longer need to wear a muzzle — except in an off-leash park.
• A Greyhound that has passed the Greenhounds muzzle exemption assessment does not need to be muzzled in an off-leash area either.

GAP NSW links to the regulation change and to the Greenhounds assessment procedure. If you plan to let your dog run off-leash, the Greenhounds assessment is the route to doing so without a muzzle. Read both linked pages before relying on the exemption.

Costs and ongoing care

GAP NSW does not publish adoption fees or a cost breakdown on its public pages, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as unverified and ask the program directly. Budget for the ordinary costs of dog ownership: food, vet care and vaccinations, worming and flea treatment, registration, bedding, a coat for cold weather, and a secure collar and lead. GAP NSW sells a limited number of decorative collars through its merchandise page.

Greyhounds are known for thin skin and low body fat, so they feel cold and can injure themselves easily — soft bedding and a coat matter more than for many breeds. The site's "Medical Facts" and "Fast Facts" pages cover breed-specific health and care points.

Supporting adoption without adopting

If you cannot adopt permanently, GAP NSW's site points to fostering as an option, and the organisation is funded by memberships and donations. You can also help by volunteering at events, joining the Greyhound Walk, or buying merchandise. The "How can you help?" page lists the program's own options.

Quick reference

The single most useful action is to contact the program with your household details before falling for a particular dog — matching, not choosing, is what makes an adoption stick.