Adoption

Note:  We have over 250 applications on file and are currently relying  on Australia for most of our adoptable dogs. Please be aware that if you are in an apartment or have very specific needs, we may not be able to find a hound for you.

Note: Our adoption fee for newly adoptable dogs starts at $500, which includes spay or neuter surgery, full dental, all vaccinations, toenail trim, microchip, and a martingale collar, leash, and ID Tag. Plus, of course, you are getting a healthy, purebred dog that will be your loving companion for many years along with the ongoing support of an organization dedicated to making your adoption successful.

Adoption fees for older hounds (8+ years) will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

First Step:  The first step is completing our Online Application. Please note that filling out the application is only the beginning of the process and does not obligate you, once approved, to proceed with adoption if you change your mind. You may change your mind or postpone at any time in the process. You will get a confirmation email with these same steps upon receipt of your application.

Second Step:  (Updated) Our Adoption Coordinator will want to learn more about your household, lifestyle, and needs in a new family pet. Due to the large volume of applications we’ve received, this will NOT happen until you are nearing the front of the line.  She will make three attempts to contact you, and if you do not connect, we will remove you from the potential adopter queue. If your application has been approved for adoption, she will answer any questions you have about greyhounds, talk to you about any specifics you have regarding adoption, such as are you active? A jogger? More quiet? Live in an apartment? General lifestyle and household. She will also review the other pets you have in the home and the number and ages of children.

She will ask you to set a date for our Orientation (see below). Although you may do the Orientation at the same time as your adoption, we encourage you to do it in advance. It will help you know if a greyhound is indeed the right pet for you, how to prepare for your new family member, and answer any questions you might have about Greyhounds. Attending orientation also shows us you are serious and helps us better match you with your pet.

Third Step: The Adoption Coordinator will evaluate the available dogs that we have up for adoption and select those that would be a good match for your situation. She will contact you with one or more choices for you to consider, and will provide you with information on their personality, and appropriateness for other pets and children in the household. We do not have a central holding facility where our dogs are housed, so we do not have the luxury to allow you to meet, look at and pick out the specific dog in advance, and since 1990, we have successfully placed dogs by phone with descriptions and pictures. You can request a dog from the website that has caught your eye, but it is our Adoption Coordinator’s job to make sure each greyhound is a good fit for each household. She is our Matchmaker!!

Once you decide on a specific greyhound, our Adoption Coordinator will set a date and time to do a meet and greet and / or schedule your adoption. We primarily do adoptions at our monthly Nail Clinics.

The Orientation: We REQUIRE that all new AAGI adopters (even if you have had greyhounds from a different organization) take our New Adopter Orientation which now virtual via web meetings. The presentation lasts about an hour and is intended to inform you what to expect when adopting a retired racing greyhound, including their background and some of the things that make them unique from other dog breeds. We encourage you to do this prior to your adoption. This is also an excellent place to learn more and make sure that a greyhound is right for you.

We want to make your adoption process smooth and successful and we hope we are building relationships that will last for many years.

You may call (602) 971-6935 or email AAGI@arizonaadoptagreyhound.org for information and someone will get back to you. Generally speaking, if you just follow the process above you will get all your questions answered along the way.