FAQs

Our mission is finding homes for sighthounds in need, including Spanish galgos, retired racing greyhounds, lurchers, and other sighthound breeds or sighthound mixes.

American Greyhound is based in Northwest Indiana. We adopt primarily to the Midwest, including: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wisconsin. We very occasionally adopt to other surrounding states on a case-by-case basis.

If you are not in one of the states listed above, please use our Contact Us form to inquire if we will adopt to your area before completing the full application.

Dogs available for adoption may come from a variety of sources, including shelters, kennels, racetracks, or farms, both overseas and right here in the Midwest. We believe every dog deserves a loving home, no matter where they come from.

Some of the organizations we receive dogs from include: Scooby Medina Sanctuary, Galgos del Sol, Romford Retired Greyhounds, and the American Lurcher Project.

It depends on the dog! Greyhounds often come with full histories, including race results, pedigrees, and other details – racing associations in the US and UK typically keep meticulous records that can be accessed based on a dog’s ear tattoos.

Galgos and other sighthounds are often more of a mystery. We usually have a general idea of where the dog came from, and whether they were trapped and captured, confiscated, or surrendered. Dogs coming from overseas must go through certain health screenings to be allowed in to the US, and they are vaccinated and spayed/neutered before arrival. Vet records showing these vaccines will be provided at time of adoption, along with any known information about existing medical conditions or past injuries.

To meet a sighthound in person, stop by one of our Events, which are staffed by volunteers and sighthounds! (Adoptable dogs do not attend every event, so contact us if you are hoping to see a particular dog.)

This is something that we address on a case by case basis. Please email at president@americangreyhound.org to discuss your eligibility.

A list of our Available Dogs is available on this website, with short profiles for each hound. If you are interested in a certain dog, submit an Adoption Application or contact us if you have additional questions.

Once you fill out your Adoption Application, you will be contacted by one of our volunteers within a few days. Based on the information on your application, they will help you to determine which dogs may be best suited for your home. Sometimes this is the dog you’ve listed as your first choice, and other times, we may recommend a different dog based on additional information we learn from you or from our foster families. Our primary consideration is how a dog’s personality, prey drive, or special needs match with your household.

Yes, absolutely! Many greyhounds, galgos, lurchers, and other sighthounds are “cat-tolerant” and can live with cats and other small animals. We do our best to “cat test” and “small-dog test” each hound as soon as possible, and this information can be found on the Adoptable Dog profiles. We aim to place “cat-tolerant” hounds into homes with cats, to maximize the amount of adopters. Homes without cats should choose from the “not cat safe” hounds whenever possible. For more information, please read our guide to cat-tolerant hounds.

Yes, absolutely! Greyhounds and galgos make greyhound apartment pets! If a specific dog requires a fenced yard, that information will be noted on the Adoptable Dog profiles. However, most of our dogs would be perfectly content without one.

The fee for adopting a dog from American Greyhound varies and can be found on each Adoptable Dog profile. Most dogs are $750, which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping. You will also receive a leash, collar, and muzzle, as well as a safety harness for galgos.

No. Adopting a pet is a long-term decision with financial and lifestyle ramifications. Dogs adopted as gifts often end up returned or in local shelters later on.

The adoption process is started by filling out our online adoption application.  From there, you will be contacted by one of our adoption coordinators to discuss your application further, including which dogs you may be interested in. Your adoption coordinator will then work with our foster homes to identify dogs that are a good mutual fit for both the hound and your household. The entire process usually takes no more than one to two weeks. We encourage you to reach out to your adoption coordinator or another volunteer if you have any questions after bringing your hound home. 

If, for any reason, you have concerns that your dog is not working out in your home, contact us for assistance as soon as possible. We are here to help and serve as a resource for any issues that may arise. If your concerns cannot be resolved, American Greyhound requires that you return the dog to us, rather than rehoming or surrendering, so we can find the right fit for the hound.

Our foster families open their hearts and homes to an adoptable dog, allowing that dog to live with them and experience life as a pet, often for the first time.

Some foster families are considering adopting their foster hound, while others have no interest in adding another dog to their home full-time. Either way is perfectly fine! All we ask is that while they are with you, you treat your foster hound as you would treat your own dogs.

We are a foster-based rescue, meaning we do not have a kennel facility and can only accept dogs if we have enough foster homes to house them. When you foster, you are not just helping one dog find a home, but giving a life-changing opportunity to the many other sighthounds that are waiting on a spot to open up in the kennel or shelter we are pulling from.

The opportunity to help a variety of dogs and witness the wide array of personality types within the breed will only grow your love for them, and fostering is a wonderful experience for anyone who want to make a difference in the world!

Fostering is simple! You provide the food and the love, and we will provide any additional supplies or care they may need. This includes monthly heartworm treatment, any necessary vet care, a crate or x-pen, and an AirTag tracker. Our volunteers are available to give you support and encouragement, and are glad to help you every step of the way.

If you need assistance paying for foster food, just reach out to us. The most important thing you must be willing to provide is love and a safe home!

Yes! We are a 501(c)3 organization, so if you incur expenses for food, treats, or any other expenses you opt not to request reimbursement for, these expenses may be tax deductible. Additionally, mileage for traveling to pick up or drop off fosters, including to vet appointments, events, or adoption meetings, may also be claimed. Please consult with your tax professional for more information.

You bring a new dog into your home, love them like your own… and then send them off to their forever family. Some people are reluctant to foster because this sounds like a painful experience. And truthfully, it can be bittersweet at times. But without foster homes, we would have no way to help more sighthounds!

By becoming a foster, you have the opportunity to help many hounds in need, just as someone once did for your adopted dogs. That privilege makes up for the discomfort of saying goodbye. Just think of how many more hounds are waiting for a foster spot to open up right now, and ask yourself if they’re worth it!

The timeline of fostering can vary, and it’s hard to say which dogs will get adopted more quickly or slowly than others. You may have a dog for just a few days, or several months. Most of our foster dogs remain available 1-2 months. If you can only foster short-term, that can still be helpful! We can use your assistance covering for short vacations or emergency placements.

Yes, absolutely! While the need for cat-free homes is always the greatest, we still need plenty of homes with cats, small dogs, or other pets to foster our cat-tolerant hounds! This frees up our homes without cats to take dogs who are not cat-safe. Read our guide to cat-tolerant hounds for introduction tips.

Fostering with kids can be a great experience for the whole family! It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach children the importance of volunteering and making a difference in the world, and many of our current foster families have kids. Just like with adoption, we take your entire household into consideration when placing a dog so that they will be suitable for your home.

Yes! The exception would be if your lease prohibits you from fostering or having a large dog. Otherwise, we would be grateful for your help!

American Greyhound ALWAYS needs foster homes! If you still have questions, feel free to contact our Foster Coordinator at foster@americangreyhound.org. If you’re ready to begin your foster journey, fill out the Foster Application, and a volunteer will be in touch as soon as possible.

Sighthounds are gentle, sensitive, tolerant, and sweet. They are also affectionate, quiet dogs with wonderful, good-natured personalities and funny quirks. The sighthound community is filled with adopters and fosters who adore their dogs and would love to tell you more about why they make such great pets! Just ask any of our volunteers!

This can vary by breed, but generally, greyhounds and galgos do not! Greyhounds are often called “40-mph Couch Potatoes” because most prefer naps over exercise. Retired racers are used to running no more than three 30-45 second races per week, so they lack endurance despite their sprinting speed. A short walk or a few minutes of playtime each day are usually plenty of activity!

Galgos are similarly content to cuddle on the couch rather than run. If you want a higher-energy breed, a lurcher’s energy level is more on par with a “regular” dog.

A greyhound can reach 45 mph in just three strides! In fact, the only land animal that can run faster than a greyhound is the cheetah. This is one of the reasons greyhounds can never be trusted off leash – just think of all the ground a dog might cover at that speed!

It is also a reason to always use a 6′ leash, and never use a long lead, tie-out, or retractable leash, all of which allow a greyhound to get up to speed before being snapped to a stop at the end of the lead.

The same rules apply for galgos and other sighthounds, who can typically run up to 40 mph.

In almost every case, sighthounds get along exceedingly well with other sighthounds! They have typically grown up with their littermates, and are used to living in a kennel full of sighthounds at the track or shelter.

Most sighthounds also get along with other large- and medium-sized dogs without issue. Many are small-dog tolerant as well. When introducing dogs, it is always a good idea to use muzzles until you know how each dog will react.

This answer is dog-specific, but in general, yes, there are many sighthounds who are compatible with cats, small dogs, and other pets. Every sighthound is different, depending on their prey drive level. Dogs are cat-tested prior to adoption. You can read our guide to cat-tolerant hounds for more information.

If you have a “cat-tolerant” hound, you should still exercise caution and follow proper cat introduction procedures. Also, keep in mind that sighthounds may have different prey instincts inside the home than they do outdoors.

Yes, sighthounds make great pets for families! As with all dogs, you should never leave young children alone with a sighthound, and children should be taught appropriate behavior when interacting with pets.

This varies by food type, dog size, and breed, so it’s important to pay attention to the serving recommendations on your kibble bag. Typically, galgos eat between 2-4 cups of food, and greyhounds typically eat between 3-5 cups.

It is important to not to overfeed a sighthound – their long and lean shape means even a few extra pounds can cause strain on their joints, heart, and lungs.

Sighthounds typically have excellent eyesight, and can see small moving objects (such as a paper cup) up to a half-mile away. They also have 270 degree vision, which gives them a panoramic view as they search for prey.

Lastly, greyhounds have a visible third eyelid at times, which means they often appear to have their eyes open even when they’re fully asleep! It’s never wise to startle a sleeping dog, even if they look like they are staring right at you.

Yes! Sighthounds typically do not bark much, if at all, which makes them excellent companions for apartment living. They are also typically gentle and sleep much of the day, only needing to go out a few times daily. (There are exceptions, so talk with your adoption coordinator if you live in an apartment or condo.)

Many of our adoptable dogs have been in foster long enough to be housetrained, although it is not uncommon to experience some accidents the first week or so after adoption as a dog adjusts to their new home and routine. Routines are extremely helpful for sighthounds, and big changes in routine can sometimes result in accidents.

As long as frequent potty breaks and positive reinforcement are given, it typically does not take more than a week or so to resolve housetraining issues. If you are having issues beyond the first couple of weeks, contact us for assistance.

Muzzles are not a form of punishment and do not hurt the dog. Instead, they prevent any snapping, nipping, grazing, or biting – and there are many occasions where they may be useful!

In racing, greyhounds wear muzzles to prevent them from accidentally (or intentionally!) nipping at or grazing another hound as they run side by side. If you have multiple hounds playing in your yard, the muzzle can provide the same protection to them.

Additionally, muzzles are great tools for close quarters, such as when traveling in a car with multiple dogs. They’re also great for introductions to kids, cats, new dogs, or other pets. Some even use them to deter their dog from eating plants or other unsavory items when outdoors.

Sighthounds typically live up to 12-14 years of age. They are generally very healthy, outside of dental issues, and the only breed-specific issue they are prone to in later years is osteosarcoma.

Both male and female sighthounds make exceptional pets! You can’t go wrong either way. On average, the males tend to be bigger in size, although there are always exceptions.

This is dog-specific, but in generally, most sighthounds acclimate quickly. The first few weeks may be the most challenging for you and your dog, as you both adjust to a new routine. Some dogs adapt within just a few days, especially if they’ve spent time in a foster home first. Occasionally, the shy or skittish dogs may take several weeks or even months to fully come out their shells.

Patience is extremely important, as is relying on your adoption coordinator. Ask if you have any questions or concerns about “normal” behavior. Some galgos may be skittish towards men especially, but most learn to trust their fosters and adopters fairly quickly.