About greyhounds

Greyhounds are naturally very lean, so they need coats in cold weather. Like any dog, they also need leads, collars, bedding and toys.

The Greyhound Rehoming Project and the Greyhound Transition Agency don’t take donations directly; however, you are welcome to contact our trusted adoption agencies to check if they accept donations.

Yes, and we'd love to hear from you. Corporate and community partners play a vital role – from sponsorship and in-kind support to hosting adoption events and helping us reach new audiences.

That’s a question for your landlord, as pet policies vary and you’ll need their permission before adopting. The good news is greyhounds are often an easy case to make – they’re calm, quiet, clean, and gentle in the home, and many landlords are open to them once they learn more about the breed.

Foster carers work with adoption agencies to provide a temporary home while a greyhound transitions to pet life – building their confidence, teaching them the ropes of domestic living, and making them even more ready for their forever home. 

To find out about fostering opportunities in your area, get in touch with one of our trusted adoption agencies.

Adoption fees vary by adoption agency. In general, they cover health checks, vaccinations, desexing, dental work, council registration and essential accessories.

There are many greyhounds looking for homes right now – you can reach out to one of our trusted adoption agencies.

Like other dogs, greyhounds enjoy raw meat, grains, vegetables, biscuits (kibble) or wet food (dog roll, canned). They are usually happy with two smaller meals per day. Your rehoming agency can advise you about what diet is most suitable for your greyhound.

Your adoption agency will advise you on what's right for your dog, in the short and long term.

This is one of the most common – and most unfair – misconceptions. Racing industry greyhounds have typically been well handled and socialised throughout their careers, and aggression in greyhounds is rare. The vast majority transition smoothly and happily into family life. Every dog is assessed before being rehomed. You'll receive full information about your dog's personality and any specific needs before you take them home.

Some greyhounds live very happily with cats; others find it more of a challenge. It really comes down to the individual dog, the personality of the cat, and the time an owner is able to invest. Every greyhound is assessed before rehoming, and only those considered suitable are placed in homes with cats.

Generally, yes. Greyhounds are used to living alongside other greyhounds and tend to thrive on companionship, but they may need time to get to know other breeds. If you already have dogs at home, just let your adoption agency know – they'll help find the right match.

Greyhounds are typically gentle, patient, and wonderfully calm with children. As with any dog, careful introductions and supervised early interactions are important. Your adoption agency will help match you with a greyhound that's right for your family.

Like any dog, greyhounds need time and support after arriving in a new home. But they usually adjust quickly, as they’re already used to routine, leads, handling and kenneling. Many also spend time with foster carers before adoption to help ease the transition. They’re generally calm, clean, and adaptable, and your adoption agency will support you both as you settle in together.

Much less than you'd expect. Greyhounds are sprinters, not marathon runners – fast when they want to be, and happily horizontal the rest of the time. A couple of short walks a day, and a bit of play, is all most greyhounds need to be content. If you enjoy longer walks or hikes, you’ll need to give your greyhound time to build stamina and you'll have a wonderful companion for it.

Not at all. Greyhounds like to sleep for much of the day. What they need most is their own comfortable bed, good company, and a couple of short walks outside every day. Many are perfectly happy in smaller homes and apartments. Any outdoor spaces should be securely fenced.

The Greyhound Transition Agency will produce an annual report at the end of each racing year which will include financial statements and reports on the welfare and rehoming outcomes for greyhounds. Progress updates may also be posted on this website and communicated more widely.

The Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Act 2026 establishes the Greyhound Transition Agency from July 2026 to July 2029, with the potential for it to be extended for up to two more years.

The Greyhound Transition Agency is funded primarily by TAB NZ, utilising funds that previously went into greyhound racing.

The current rehoming programme has been in action for a number of years, led by expert adoption agencies and their teams all over the country - it is working very well and this important work will not change. 

The Greyhound Transition Agency is here to support these adoption agencies with resources and coordination so they can scale up and meet the challenge of this nationwide effort together. The organisations will retain their own brands and will lead their own day-to-day operations - you can meet them here

From 1 August 2026, the Greyhound Transition Agency (GTA) takes responsibility for the care, housing, training, and rehoming of every greyhound in the industry, working alongside trusted adoption agencies nationwide to get every dog adopted to a loving family. The GTA also exists to provide support to those who currently work alongside the greyhounds, such as career transition assistance.

The decision was announced by the Minister for Racing in December 2024, with legislation passed in April 2026 to enable a structured wind-down and support the rehoming of all dogs. Racing finishes on 31 July 2026.

The Greyhound Rehoming Project now focuses on finding every greyhound a safe, loving home and supporting people in the industry through the transition.

There are so many ways to be part of this. You can volunteer, get behind one of our upcoming adoption campaigns (watch this space) or simply spread the word. Every conversation that gets someone thinking about a greyhound makes a difference. Contact us to get involved.

It's a personal, one-on-one process – and our trusted adoption agencies are wonderful at it. They know these animals best and they know how to set both you and your new greyhound up for success. 

Every greyhound is individually assessed and matched, and the same goes for those who want to adopt. While the exact criteria vary by agency, you can generally expect: 

• a conversation about your lifestyle, living situation, and what you're looking for in a dog 
• a home visit, in some cases, to meet you and check that your property is suitable, and suitably fenced
• a match based on your household, including any children, existing pets and daily routine.

You can also have a trial period with the greyhound in your home before making a commitment. Get in touch with one of our trusted adoption agencies to find out more.

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Absolutely – many thousands of New Zealand families are already living with and loving greyhounds. 

Like any dog, greyhounds have their own personalities and quirks – but in general, they tend to be calm, gentle, deeply affectionate. They love company, are quiet and undemanding indoors, and suit a wide range of living situations, including apartments.

Although we know them as champion athletes, they’re also champion loungers. A couple of short walks a day, and a bit of play, is all the exercise most greyhounds need to be content. 

With greyhound racing coming to an end in New Zealand on 31 July 2026, over 1,700 greyhounds are ready to find their next chapter - transitioning from life as racing dogs to loved family pets.  

The Greyhound Rehoming Project is a coordinated nationwide effort to match every one of these special dogs with their forever home. The great news? Greyhounds make incredible pets. Calm, gentle and affectionate, they are one of New Zealand's best-kept secrets as companion animals.