Ready to welcome a Greyhound into your home?

The next step is to fill out the adoption application form to provide us with as much detail as possible. Please understand that finding the right Greyhound can take some time to ensure the perfect match.

Adoption Application

You’ve applied - what’s next?

Our team will review your application and we will make initial contact via email or phone to ask any further questions that we may have. Otherwise we will arrange for a home check to be carried out by one of our amazing Greyhound community support members. This will entail a suitable time for them to pop around with their Greyhound to check your property and ensure suitability for your new Greyhound. This is also a perfect time to ask any questions that you may have, and be able to picture a Greyhound in your space.

Upon the completion of a home check, our team will work with the collection of Greyhounds we have circulating through our foster network to find the perfect match for you. Once a suitable Greyhound comes available you will have the chance to do a 'meet and greet' prior to the official adoption taking place.

Now that you've fallen in love at the meet and greet, we will carry out any final preparations needed and get in touch to arrange a time for you to collect the newest addition to your family. We will endeavour to support you throughout this journey, and with any issues you may have while settling in your new Greyhound.

Remember, it doesn't happen overnight. Your Greyhound will need 3 days to decompress. They may not eat or drink and may appear scared or unsure. We recommend you choose a quiet spot in your home to place your Greyhounds bed. This could be behind the couch or in a quiet corner. Your Greyhound will need a soft bed, such as a folded duvet inner, thick minky, cot mattress or something similar. Don't worry if your dog doesn't quite get the whole bed thing right away, it’s very common for them to "noodle" off the bed. Keep their world small for the first week or so, this could mean confining them to a part of your home (one or two rooms at first). This will minimize stress and lowers the chance of a toilet accident while you set the house rules. The use of a crate will act as a 'safe space' for your Greyhound, especially if you have children. Greyhounds are used to being in a crate due to their kennel environment, and by placing the crate in or near the family area, your Greyhound can observe the family life without being directly involved in it.

Your Greyhound is house trained, but will require guidance in their new home to avoid a toilet accident. They are unlikely to bark or whine when they need to toilet, so keep an eye out for pacing behaviour or repetitive movements towards the outside door. We do recommend taking your Greyhound toilet before/after meals, first thing in the morning or after a nap. Create a toilet routine for your Greyhound that works within your own routine.

After 3 weeks, your Greyhound will start to understand and learn routine. They may express behavioural issues or test boundaries while figuring out their environment. Remember to never bother your dog while they are on their bed or in their crate. We all need a place to be undisturbed and your Greyhound is no exception. If your Greyhound is sleeping either in their crate or on their bed, they must be left alone and not patted or hugged. Doing so you can stress your Greyhound and this may lead to an incident where they could growl or sleep startle. Keep in mind a Greyhounds smile can also look very much like a snarl, and some Greyhounds may sleep while grinning, with all their teeth on display. Greyhounds can and some do sleep with their eyes open, so never assume your dog is awake. Remember, their bed/crate is their 'safe space'. If you wish to offer affection, sit on the couch or nearby and call their name. Once they come to you, you can give them as much affection and cuddles as you like. Make sure to teach your children this also.

No matter what the situation may be, no matter how stressed/scared or upsetting things may get - dogs do not understand that emotion. They instead see it as your weakness, which will stress your Greyhound. You are their provider they look to you - so remember to be calm and confident. After 3 months your Greyhound will start to feel relaxed in their forever home. They should have a routine set and their personality and quirks will start to show.

Have any questions? Our resources page may be able to offer you some insight, otherwise please feel free to get in touch with one of our team members - we will endeavour to support you throughout this journey, and with any issues you may have while settling in your new Greyhound.

First time Greyhound owner?

Please familiarise yourself with the following New Zealand laws with regards to being a responsible dog owner/guardian. Please also check out your local Council Bylaws - laws pertaining to your specific area of residence.

Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare

Exciting times are ahead - so what do you need to know?

  • $380.

    Your Greyhound will come with a new collar, lead and muzzle. If they have acquired a favourite toy and/or blanket – this will join them on their new adventure!

    You will also get an adoption pack containing their vet book/pet passport, adoption guide (including a complimentary behaviour consultation) and more!

    Your Greyhound also comes microchipped, council registered and registered on the NZCAR (New Zealand Companion Animal Register).

    Your Greyhound also comes having had a full health check. This includes being desexed, have had a dental, and be fully vaccinated.

    Older Greyhounds, previously rehomed, or those with a special medical condition have a reduced, or zero adoption donation.  

    This cost includes GST.

  • Yes as this serves as a perfect 'safe space' for your Greyhound. Trademe offer a wide range, otherwise visit Trade Tested as they also stock them. We highly recommended you get an XXL (best suited for our Greyhounds) and one that offers double doors (this helps with accessibility once placed within the home).

  • Try multiple beds for home use and vehicle use, and don’t forget a blanket. When it comes to where to buy one, there are so many options (Kmart/Warehouse, etc), and sizing can vary across the brands. We can recommend "Yours Droolly in Large" as it is a favourite amongst our Greyhounds.

  • Absolutely. Greyhounds have a single layer of fur, thinner skin and virtually no body fat. This makes them more likely to feel the cold, therefore we recommend the use of PJ's, coats and rain jackets. In the warmer months a highly recommended "cool coat" will help to keep them cool and regulate their body temperature especially for the darker coat-coloured greyhounds. Visit our May Hounds online store to check what we have on offer.

  • Your Greyhound will come with a muzzle, collar (Martingale) and a lead, but we do recommend getting a name tag with your contact information. You may also wish to have different muzzle/collar and lead options. The Martingale collar is recommended as Greyhounds have long thinner necks and this collar offers extra support if you decide to walk with a lead attached. Having a slipknot lead also provides additional control when placed firmly (loose enough to comfortably fit two fingers, but tight enough not to slip down their neck) just behind their ears (around their upper neck behind their head). You may also wish to purchase a longer lead for those ‘‘sniffari’’ adventures or recall training and a car specific anchor point for your lead/sling or harness for safe travelling while in the vehicle.

  • We do recommend 'a raised feeder' for your Greyhound due to their long neck and legs. If you are unable to find a suitable raised feeder online, a pro tip is to buy some buckets (yes household cleaning buckets), and cut the bottom out. Do ensure you measure and get bowls that will pop straight in! Adding a tray for these bowls to sit in so they don’t slip/slide could be a bonus. Or even a step would serve as a great raised feeding option. We do also suggest having a collapsible water bowl and a dedicated water bottle kept in the vehicle for adventures.

  • Definitely for keeping your kibble fresh and easily accessible. Keep a measuring cup handy to keep your portions consistent and freezer space for frozen food storage.

  • We highly recommend a balanced diet consisting of high protein kibble and raw meat as Greyhounds will not do well on cereal-based diets. You want to aim for 22-30% protein, 10-15% fat and 5% fiber.

    • CopRice (Working Dog Beef) is an absolute staple in all our Greyhounds diets. We recommend placing in an airtight container and partner that with a good sized plastic measuring cup. We recommend adding 1 or 2 cups with each meal - just keep an eye on their weight and adjust the portions to suit. Head over to HR Fiskens to get your hands on some! In the off chance they happen to be out of stock, Animates often stock CopRice.

    • Raw Essentials is a fantastic raw option for our Greyhounds. They come in either a 1kg or 3kg frozen bag - already portioned into small cubes for our convenience! With an assortment of options we recommend any with tripe (as this aids in digestion). Due to the richness chicken mince adds to our Greyhounds diet - we do recommend to avoid feeding this often, instead opt for chicken necks for an extra crunchy treat!

    • MightyMix offer a range of products that our Greyhounds know and love. We often use their Frozen Concentrate as a supplementary feed to their existing meals - adding extra health benefits and flavour. Check out their Dog Roll, it makes for perfect treats! And don’t forget the Mussel Tonic - ideal for overall health support.

    • Chunky or Possyum Dog Roll makes for perfect training treats or as an addition to your Greyhounds meals as a variant to raw meat.

  • Greyhounds have a small stomach, so we recommend feeding 2 (or more) smaller feeds per day. This does depend on your Greyhounds requirements and how often treats are involved too. When feeding where kibble is involved, we recommend adding a 'topping' as kibble is always best fed moist. Try adding some warm water or bone broth, as Greyhounds have narrow noses and are inclined to bolt dry kibble which may cause coughing and/or vomiting. See below for some of our 'topping' recommendations:

    • Raw Meat (Raw Essentials/or similar as a handful portion) as this combined with water and kibble creates a gravy.

    • Small Canned Fish (Mackerel/Tuna/Salmon/Sardines) mashed up in spring water.

    • MightyMix Frozen Concentrate (handful portion) mixed with warm water.

    • Chopped dog roll (Possyum/MightyMix/etc.)

    • One egg lightly beaten every other day or so.

    • Coconut oil melted slightly with some warm water.

    • Mybeau offer some handy nutrition products in packet form.

    • Natural food supplements (Provida by Fourflax/Olives Kitchen 'Doggy Daily'/MightyMix 'Mussel Tonic')

    In additional to their staple diets and toppings, we also recommend the addition of chicken necks/carcasses and nibbles (legs/wings) in the form of a treat or mix it up and serve it as part of their regular meal. Try adding raw meaty bones (except pork) to their diets also, as these crunchy additions work to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

  • We do recommend a couple different options of both sizes/textures for different types of stimulation. Your Greyhound may love the squeakers, or perhaps toys that crinkle. A toy that moves or makes noise to catch their attention - and perhaps a softer toy and that almighty chewable toy for a challenge.

  • Providing different treat options. High value treats (food items your Greyhound will drool over like dried/cooked meat or dog roll), and lower value treats (kibble). It is also handy to understand if your Greyhound is food driven, praise driven or responds well with a clicker.

  • Heaps. Try leaving some in the car or near their belongings - and also stockpile. For home usage you may wish to have a poop scooper and a separate bucket/bin.