General (24 entries)

  • What kind of pets do greyhounds make?
    They are great house pets. They are very loyal, sweet and loving. They make wonderful companion dogs for old and young alike. They are gentle and easy going, intelligent, quiet and polite.

  • Do Greyhounds make good pets for households with children?
    Greyhounds are good with children who understand and respect animals. We don't recommend a Greyhound be placed with children under five years of age. We follow this precaution because Greyhounds are large dogs and not because of any issues with temperament.

  • What type of training do former racing Greyhounds usually have?
    Second Chance Greyhounds will provide fully trained Greyhounds to the adoptive community.  They will also be crate trained, potty trained, and leash trained.

  • How much do Greyhounds eat per day?
    Females can eat anywhere from 2-3 cups per day and males anywhere from 3-4 cups per day.

  • How much should my Greyhound weigh?
    Race weights will be provided to all new adopters.  Your Greyhound should be near this weight at all times.  A perfect indicator of the proper weight is that you see some ribs (2-3) and some hip bone.

  • What colors do Greyhounds come in?
    There are 16 standard colors for Greyhounds but none of them is GRAY! They come in brindle, black, white, red and combinations of these colors. The closest to gray is called "blue."

  • Are Greyhounds hyperactive?
    No, in fact, they are just the opposite.  Granted they run really fast, however, they are known as sprinters which means they can run that fast for a short period of time, after which they are exhausted and prefer the comfort of a couch, hence their nickname "couch potatoes".

  • How fast are Greyhounds?
    They can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour in two strides!

  • Do Greyhounds make good watchdogs?
    Greyhounds do not usually make good watchdogs. They are generally friendly and rarely growl when someone new comes into their home. Also they're not big barkers.

  • What should I do when I have to leave my Greyhound home alone?
    Until your Greyhound is completely comfortable in your home and you're confident of his housebreaking and other behavior, his crate is the best place for him while you're away. To some people, the crate seems cruel but remember, at the kennel, except when racing or being turned out, Greyhounds live in their crates. It's a place of comfort and security for them. When you go out, turn on a light or two and switch on the radio or television for background noise. Leave him with a safe chew toy to help occupy him until your return. Before you place your Greyhound in his crate, be sure to remove his martingale collar. Greyhounds have been injured and even choked to death when their collars have become entangled in their crates.

  • Where should my Greyhound sleep?
    Provide your Greyhound with a warm, soft bed that includes an old comforter or blanket for him to "nest" in. Since Greyhounds are used to living in a kennel with 60+ other dogs, isolating them from his/her new "pack" - that's you and your family - can be stressful. A corner of your bedroom is a good choice for his bed and/or crate. Whether you allow your Greyhound on the bed - or any other furniture - is up to you.

  • How old are retired Greyhounds?
    Generally, they range from a year and a half to five years of age, all depends on their success (or lack thereof) at the track.

  • How old do Greyhounds live to be?
    Greyhounds live to be 12-14 years of age, some may even reach 18 years of age!

  • How much do Greyhounds weigh?
    Males are between 65 and 90 pounds. Females are between 50 and 65 pounds.

  • Can I keep a Greyhound outdoors?
    No, their thin skin and lack of body fat make them unable to withstand outdoor heat or cold for long periods. They are house pets only.

  • Do Greyhounds require a lot of exercise?
    No, they don't.  They are sprinters and tire easily.  They do enjoy long walks and short jogs.

  • Can I take a Greyhound jogging?
    Greyhounds are sprinters which means they can go really fast for a short period of time, however, they can certainly be conditioned for long walks or jogs.

  • How much do Greyhounds shed?
    Greyhounds have no undercoat, making them virtually shed-free and odorless. Their short, sleek coat has more oil and less dander than other dogs, which means they are less likely to trigger allergies.

  • Do Greyhounds get along with other pets?
    Just like people, every Greyhound has it's own personality. Many of them, but not all, get along well with cats and other house pets.   All Second Chance Greyhounds are tested for tolerance to cats, small dogs, and children before adoption.

  • Can I take a Greyhound on walks without a leash?
    For the safety of the dog we insist that Greyhounds NEVER be walked without a leash in an unfenced area. This is because their attention may be drawn to a squirrel or other object and then their instincts take over without regard to cars, etc.  Additionally the Greyhound may run for a couple of minutes and find itself lost far from home. Remember, it's 45 miles per hour!

  • What should I expect when I bring a Greyhound into my home?
    Although Second Chance Greyhounds have been in a foster environment and are acclimated to home life, they will rely on you to introduce them to such unknown things as stairs, mirrors, shiny and slick tile floors, swimming pools and sliding glass doors.

  • Do I need a fenced yard?
    Not particularly, however, your Greyhound will enjoy a "zoomie" or two in a fenced area.  If installing a fence, a fence 5' or higher is recommended.

  • What if I need to return my Second Chance Greyhound?
    If there is a need to return your Second Chance Greyhound, please contact us and we will arrange to pick up the dog at the earliest possible time.  We request that your Greyhound be updated on it's shots and have a recent (within two weeks) heartworm test.

  • What if my Greyhound is lost?
    You should IMMEDIATELY call our toll free number 1.877.674.7397 and then call Patti at 770-617-0434.  This information can also be found on your refrigerator magnet provided to you at the time of adoption.

 

Adoption Process (7 entries)

  • How do I adopt a Greyhound from Second Chance Greyhounds?
    First and foremost, you will need to complete the online adoption application.   Once submitted, someone from our Adoptions Committee will be in touch within a 24 hour period.

  • How will I know if I've been approved to adopt a Second Chance Greyhound?
    You will receive a verbal approval as well as an email noting you have been approved.

  • How much is the adoption fee?
    Our adoption fee is $1,500 for a trained prison Greyhound and $600 for a non-trained Greyhound and is non-refundable under ANY circumstance.

  • What does that adoption fee cover?
    All vetting for the Greyhound which includes spay/neuter, teeth cleaning, and heartworm test.  All vaccinations (rabies, DHLPP, and bordatella) are current.  For those Greyhounds exiting the prison foster program, they will be trained to pass the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test.  Your Greyhound will also be sporting a black Premier martingale collar, black leash, black turnout muzzle, as well as a numbered tag identifying your Greyhound as a Second Chance Greyhound in the event he or she is lost.  Your Greyhound is also microchipped and will be registered to you upon adoption.  Registration is through FoundAnimals.org and is valid through the life of your Greyhound.  All adopters are eligible to participate in our "Train the Human" class where you can perfect and hone your ability to implement the commands learned by your Greyhound while in our prison program. 

  • Once approved, when will I get my Greyhound?
    This depends on when your application was received and if we have Greyhounds immediately available and whether you preference is for a trained prison Greyhound or an untrained Greyhound.  This information will be communicated to you when your application is approved.

  • What if I have questions after I've adopted my Second Chance Greyhound?
    A "Greyt Buddy" will be assigned to you upon completion of the adoption process.  This person will be available to help you and your Greyhound transition to your home and routine.  We also have available to you someone who has proven to be an excellent animal behaviorist, who can assist with any questions you may have.  Our goal is to ensure you and your Greyhound enjoy a smooth transition from prison foster care to home life.

  • What should I purchase before bringing my Greyhound home?
    All adopters are REQUIRED by Second Chance Greyhounds to purchase a crate.  We recommend a wire metal crate and recommend the Midwest brand which can be purchased from online sources or from any local pet store. For any size Greyhound, the 510 size (48"L x 30"W x 33"H) is recommended.  Amazon.com has a great deal on a 48" Midwest wire crate.  

    Your Greyhound will also need food and water bowls. a big fluffy dog bed (we love those available at Sam's Club - Orvis also makes wonderful dog beds that will last forever), and a Kong which is a delightful rubber toy that is irresistible to most dogs.  When filled with their favorite treat, your Greyhound will be busy for hours. 

    And dog food is a must!  Kibble is recommended over canned food.  Brands to try include Purina Pro Plan, NutriSource, Wellness Core, Eagle Pack, Canidae, Flint River, or California Natural.  Typically a lamb or chicken no-grain formula works best. 

    Some of our members even feed a raw diet known as B.A.R.F. (Bones and Raw Food).  If you are interested in this method, we would suggest engaging in a lot of research before embarking on this path.  It is a very healthy alternative to feeding a commercial kibble. 

    You will eventually purchase toys, grooming supplies (nail clippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) and the like.