Greyhound Lifesavers wants to make sure that both you and the dog are perfect for each other. We have many events that we attend and are asked many questions, which are listed below. Greyhounds are wonderful dogs, just ask any of us. If there is a question you have and do not see it listed please feel free to e-mail us or call us.

Will adopting a greyhound change my life?
Yes. You will have the satisfaction of having saved a life and will gain the companionship of a devoted, affectionate and loyal friend.

Why adopt a Greyhound?
Greyhounds are friendly, clean, and eager for affection. They are easily housebroken, shed very little and rarely bark. Greyhounds make wonderful companions for most and do not come with the problems associated with puppies.

What is Greyhound Lifesavers ? What do you do?
Greyhound Lifesavers (GL) is a greyhound adoption service in South Carolina and the surrounding areas in North Carolina and Georgia. Greyhound Lifesavers is made up entirely of volunteers who work to place any needy greyhound in a good home. We typically work with retired racing greyhounds but we also help place greyhounds that may have been left at local animal shelters.

How do adoptions work through Greyhound Lifesavers?
The first step is what you are doing now - getting some basic information so that you can decide whether a greyhound is the dog for you. Please visit our webpage for much more information about greyhounds and the adoption process at GL. Once you decide that you want to adopt a greyhound, you can request one of our applications and start the adoption process. Then you can look at available greyhounds on our website and view comments by the foster home. The other requirement for adopting is that you read the book "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan. After your application and application fee have been received, we will set up a home visit. Then it is a matter of completing the paperwork, the adoption committee selecting a greyhound for you, paying the adoption fee, and taking your new family member home with you

How can I adopt a greyhound?
Fill out the application on this site. Send/fax/email your application and the $25 non-refundable deposit - may need to be sent separately. You will need to read the book "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" to start learning/preparing for your new dog, this book can be purchased on our website. After your application and application fee has been received and processed, a home visit will be scheduled.

Why should I read Adopting the Racing Greyhound, by Cynthia Branigan before I adopt?
Adopting a greyhound is a lifetime commitment. The greyhound can be expected to live in excess of 12 years. When you think about adopting a greyhound (or any dog, for that matter), the proper research should be done before making the commitment to adopt. There is a lot of information available on the Internet and in bookstores. Many people consider Adopting the Racing Greyhound, by Cynthia Branigan required reading for potential adopters. Cynthia's book is one of the best references any greyhound owner can have, and we require you to read this book. The more you know about dogs in general, and Greyhounds in particular, the better able you will be to decide whether or not adoption is for you. We offer this book to be purchased on our website.

How much does a retired racing greyhound cost?
Greyhound Lifesavers has a $25 application fee along with the fee for adoption of $200. This nominal fee covers neutering or spaying, nail trimming, all vaccinations, microchipping, and a complete health exam. In addition, Greyhound Lifesavers will provide you with your choice of martingale collar and leash, a muzzle,and a permanent Greyhound Lifesavers identification tag, information packet, and unlimited consultation/advice!

Why is your adoption fee higher compared to some shelter animal one could adopt?
We travel down in our own vehicles to Florida and pick the dogs up from the kennel and then transport them back to South Carolina which then they are greeted by many volunteers who help walk, bathe the dogs After that they are cat tested and then sent to live with their foster family. The group provides such supplies as worming medication, 3V caps, food while in foster care, the leash and collar, muzzle. The dogs then go to the vet where they receive their shots, heartworm test dental, micro chipping and spay/neutering. If the dog becomes sick or injured while in fostering home we provide necessary care for the greyhound and still only require the $200 adoption fee. For example we have had dogs that have broken their leg and it has cost the group over $1000.

What does my adoption fee cover?
The adoption fee is required to help provide for the appropriate care of the dogs. Each dog has a heartworm test. All of the dogs are spayed or neutered and have their teeth cleaned during the foster period. Your dog will also have routine inoculations, have a fecal examination and be treated for worms and possible fleas. In addition, he or she will be placed with a special safety collar and matching leash. We also microchip all of our foster dogs. We suggest you call your veterinarian to investigate the costs of these services for any other dog.

Not all greyhounds can live with cats and small animals. That's why we cat-test every greyhound.
All newly arrived greyhounds are bathed, nail trim, micro-chipped and then cat-tested. This initial introduction is made while the dog is muzzled and on leash. Dogs that are not just curious but obviously want to harm the cat will not go to a home with cats or other small, furry animals. Dogs who check out our well-trained cats and then ignore them probably will.
Since a dog's first, or even second, introduction to a cat is not always accurate, we cat-test each greyhound five or six times. We've learned that as a dog settles in at its foster home and becomes more comfortable, its behavior can change and we may see personality traits that weren't first apparent.
We pay particular attention to greyhounds that marginally pass their first cat-test but appear to need more exposure or work with cats. These are the dogs we will state as cat curious. These dogs will be tested and retested until we are confident the dog either can, or cannot, be trusted to live amicably with cats. We also pay special attention to younger dogs. Although they test cat-safe, we know puppy energy might not be pleasing to a cat. In order for the perfect match to take place, we believe cats have to be happy, too.

How can you tell if a greyhound likes children? Easy. A greyhound that wants to be with children will actually seek out the child's attention. A greyhound that looks away or walks away is a dog that will not be happy with kids, and a dog that should not be placed with youngsters. Over the years and with all the placements we've done, we've had few kid-related problems, largely because we kid-test. We're very thorough and careful.
At Greyhound Lifesavers, we use many of our board members children and grandchildren between the ages of four and seven. Of course the children have had experience with the dogs in their own homes and are closely monitored by adults..Many of our foster homes to have children that like to help with the dogs . The ages of 4 to 7 works particularly well since the child can take instruction, yet is still small enough that a greyhound recognizes it as something other than the adults they're used to seeing.
Each dog is introduced while still on leash and muzzled, with an adult supervisor present. The child stands quietly while the dog smells his/her face. The dog is then let off-leash to gauge how it reacts to the child taking it by the collar and walking it around the foster's home. If the dog accepts the child as being "in charge," we progress to the child acting like a kid, running, hugging the dog, and maybe acting just plain silly. All the time, we judge how the dog accepts the child's behavior each step of the way.
We note whether the greyhound is gentle with a "little person," or is too rambunctious and may be capable of knocking a child over. We watch for shy behavior, and we pay particular attention to any dog that pointedly ignores a child, which is a greyhound's way of saying it would prefer not to have to live with youngsters. And that's what's important to us: placing each greyhound in the home where it will be happy because the "fit" is perfect.

Most racing greyhounds have never seen anything but other racing greyhounds until they come off-track. Small dogs like chihuahuas, large furry dogs like chow-chows, or dogs with no tails, such as boxers, are not a part of the world greyhounds have known. Greyhounds are extremely dog social and can easily fit into homes where another breed of dog lives. But to make sure, we dog-test and small dog test. Age and personality are also considerations. Some greyhounds might love to live with a high-energy Dalmatian or lab; for others, it would be a nightmare. An older dog might not appreciate an exuberant companion, whereas a young dog might welcome it.
We insist on a home visit to any home wanting to adopt a greyhound. One reason for this is to meet the companion animals already living there. We want to make sure a greyhound will be happy with these dogs and that these dogs will welcome a new dog into the house.

We introduce carefully and make sure proper dog manners are observed. This visit is an important one. How the dogs interact and play together will determine whether that particular greyhound will go to that particular home. Only if the dogs enjoy each other's company will the adoption process move ahead.

If we have other questions can we contact you?
Sure you can.