This list showcases the top greyhound rescues and shelters, all making a significant impact on the lives of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on these exceptional organizations.
#78 in United States, #5 in Washington, #3 in Seattle
#1 in greyhound
Greyhound
Seattle
John A. Hern Jr. founded Greyhound Pets, Inc. in 1985. John was a Coeur D'Alene, Idaho businessman who built a foundry business and owned Industrial Park real estate. Among John's many and varied interests, he held greyt admiration for ex-racing greyhounds and became committed to their care and welfare. As the greyhound racetrack opened in Coeur D'Alene John started a small side business providing feed and racing equipment to track kennels. He demonstrated his commitment to the dogs by being instrumental in building a track sponsored Greyhound Welfare Committee that reviewed track and kennel policies. John's first greyhounds were Roo and Babe, the two greyhounds featured in the GPI logo. John adopted several greyhounds after Roo and Babe. Ace was one of his favorites and was the subject of many of John's stories. John was the executive director of Greyhound Pets, Inc. for many years and oversaw expansion to include the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Canada. John's generous bequest to the organization he founded has provided for GPI's continued prominence in the ex-racing greyhound rescue effort. The volunteers who continue in the efforts John began, honor his colorful leadership in finding homes for ex-racers. John is remembered and his love for ex-racing greyhounds honored in the Hern Greyt Works, GPI's kennel facility in Woodinville, WA.
"Greyhound Pets Inc is wonderful. I have gotten 3 dogs from them. It is staffed by very dedicated volunteers, they..."
— ruth v.
Adoptee
"I love the work GPI does. They provide an enriching environment and foster care for all of their dogs. All..."
— sherry a.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
#99 in United States, #7 in Massachusetts, #6 in Boston
#2 in greyhound
Greyhound
Boston
Greyhound Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and dog adoption shelter based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1983, we are dedicated to placing greyhounds and other dogs in responsible, loving adoptive homes, as well as educating the public about the greyhound breed and generally promoting animal welfare through educational & outreach programs.
"So happy to see their continued work all these years later after adopting our first grey!"
— jen c.
Adoptee
#100 in United States, #10 in Colorado, #9 in Denver
#3 in greyhound
Greyhound
Denver
Colorado Greyhound Adoption is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to finding permanent loving homes for and promoting the adoption and welfare of retired racing greyhounds as excellent family pets. Based in the metropolitan Denver area, our volunteer base continues to grow, as more and more greyhound enthusiasts become involved. Our group maintains a racing neutral stance. Colorado Greyhound Adoption (CGA) is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 devoted to placement and adoption of greyhounds. We are 100% volunteer-run and available dogs are fostered in individual homes. Colorado Greyhound Adoption has over 4,500 adoptions in the life of it's organization. Based in the metropolitan Denver area, our volunteer base continues to grow, as more and more greyhound enthusiasts become involved. Our group maintains a racing neutral stance.
#100 in United States, #13 in Florida, #4 in Orlando
#3 in greyhound
Greyhound
Orlando
We provide transport and accommodations for greyhounds ‚and sighthounds alike ‚ to assist them on their journey to their forever homes. Many hounds are brought from overseas into the United States and driven to their adopting family with the help of volunteers. With many miles behind us, our mission is to get as many dogs into loving homes as possible
#100 in United States, #26 in California, #5 in Santa Rosa
#3 in greyhound
Greyhound
Santa Rosa
Greyhound Friends for Life volunteers have been saving the lives of racing greyhounds and sighthound mixes for nearly 30 years. Since its formation in 1991, the group has placed well over 3000 greyhounds into loving homes. During the 1980’s, Greyhound Friends for Life founder Susan Netboy and several other Bay Area people involved with sighthound breeds formed a loosely knit group designed to rescue and re-home sighthounds in need of intervention. In 1989, when an insider disclosed to In Defense of Animals that racing greyhounds had been acquired by Letterman Army Institute of Research (LAIR) for a terminal research project, Susan’s help was enlisted to find a way to free the greyhounds. Demonstrations, media attention, the intervention of then congresswoman Barbara Boxer, and a well-publicized lawsuit finally gained the release of 19 greyhounds and cancelation of the entire research project which was to include the acquisition of 100 additional greyhounds. The LAIR case led to Susan’s involvement in a dozen more cases of greyhounds in research and an increased knowledge of the internal workings of the racing industry which, in turn, led her to the realization that racing greyhounds were in desperate need of advocacy, as well as rescue. In 1991, Susan founded Greyhound Friends for Life and the nationally-oriented Greyhound Protection League as programs of the Greyhound Welfare Foundation. The group’s greatest strength has always been the hard work and dedication of its many volunteers. While Susan focused on national advocacy, Barbara Eineichner, Lita Nemeth, and Shana Laursen, in succession, provided foster facilities for the dogs; Barbara E. and Lita also acted as adoption coordinators. In 2006, Susan and the Board of the Greyhound Welfare Foundation asked Barbara Judson to take over as President of GFFL and to set it up as a separate organization. In January, 2007, Greyhound Friends for Life obtained its own non-profit 501c3 designation (Tax ID 20-5323161) with many of the same volunteers who had supported the group from its inception – and, fortunately, with many new volunteers who will carry us through the years ahead.
Welcome to the 2024 Sniffspot Top Greyhound Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top Greyhound rescues and shelters chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
This list is sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks. Sniffspot offers thousands of private dog parks around the world, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore local dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Greyhound Pets, Inc. always represents the dog’s interests and will not place a dog in a risky or compromising situation. If you are unable to agree with our requirements, please consider another breed or whether a dog is right for your family. Household agreement All adults in the household must agree to the adoption. Living and safety conditions The dog must: Live inside the home, not outside. Be kept solely as an inside house pet, and not used for racing, hunting, or research Never be staked, tied up, or chained to any structure. Wear at all times a martingale collar bearing a Greyhound Pets, Inc. ID tag, an owner ID tag, and a local pet license tag. Be kept in good health and at proper weight and fitness. Receive regular health care, including at least an annual veterinarian examination, current vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and intestinal parasite tests. Some Considerations: It can take several weeks or months (sometimes up to three months) for a dog to adjust to its new home. Other pets in your home and their compatibility with other animals Greyhounds want to be with you – they do not do well being separated from their human companions. Time you are away from home. If you are gone long hours (10+) during the day, a greyhound is not for you. Securely Fenced Yard If you live in a single-family home or property with a yard, then your yard must be securely fenced to protect your dog when it goes outside to exercise and relieve itself. Your home visit representative will work with you to determine if your fence is safe for a greyhound. The fence requirements are: Minimum height is 5 feet. Electric, invisible, or barbed wire fences are not acceptable. All gates must be secure. A door to your house must open into the securely fenced area. Your fence must be in good repair, with no missing parts or boards. Certain types of fencing are not acceptable because a greyhound can slip through them, or they are unsafe for greyhounds. There should be no obstacles near the fence that a greyhound could use as a jumping point to get over the fence.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
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Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
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Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
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Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.