How to adopt a Greyhound

While they are known for their speed, greyhounds are typically gentle, quiet dogs that enjoy relaxing at home. Many are happy spending much of their day sleeping, followed by a walk, some attention, and time with their family.

If you have been thinking about adopting a dog, a greyhound could be the perfect addition to your family.

There are many greyhounds patiently waiting to begin their new life as a pet. Greyhounds available for adoption are listed through the greyhound rehoming programme at:

• Greyhound Rehoming Project

*Please note: Following the ban on commercial greyhound racing, there is a high level of interest in adopting greyhounds. We ask prospective adopters to be patient; while there are many greyhounds looking for homes, it takes time to match the right dog with the right family.

The exact process caries between the greyhound rehoming agencies but, similar to SPCA’s rehoming process, they will want to get more information about your lifestyle and what you are looking for in a dog. They will also want to know about your household, if you have children, existing pets and what your daily routine is. It is all about finding a good match between the individual dog and prospective adopters.

Many greyhounds leaving the racing industry need time and support as they adjust to their new life in a home. Some greyhounds may need help learning everyday skills, such as navigating stairs, understanding household routines, playing with toys, or becoming comfortable with new sights and sounds. Rehoming groups provide guidance and support to help adopters and greyhounds settle in together.

Find out more about in our frequently asked questions about greyhounds as pets.

The Greyhound Transition Agency has reported that around 1,300 greyhounds are now expected to require rehoming, substantially fewer than the 1,700 predicted by the industry body, Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ).

Based on GRNZ’s previously reported rehoming rates, the remaining greyhounds could be placed in homes within around two years. The Greyhound Transition Agency has also indicated it intends to scale up rehoming efforts, potentially shortening that timeframe even further.

The public has always adopted the greyhounds leaving the racing industry, and we're confident many more New Zealanders will step forward at this historic moment to offer these wonderful dogs a place in their homes and in their hearts.

The transition of greyhounds from racing to pet homes is being overseen by the Government-appointed Greyhound Transition Agency.

The agency was established to support the responsible wind-down of the commercial greyhound racing industry, including overseeing the rehoming of racing greyhounds and ensuring their welfare needs are met during this transition period.

Greyhound rehoming agency adoption fees contribute to health checks, vaccinations, dental work, council registration costs.

The Greyhound Transition Agency pay for the day-to-day care while greyhounds wait to be adopted. This is funded by the assets remaining from GRNZ at closure of racing and ongoing funding from the TAB.

No. Under the Racing Industry Act 2020, specified greyhounds cannot lawfully be euthanised except by a veterinarian on animal welfare grounds. A "specified greyhound" includes any greyhound that is or was registered with Greyhound Racing New Zealand, as well as the offspring of a registered breeding female. Unlawfully destroying a specified greyhound is an offence punishable by up to 12 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.

No. Many dogs breeds successfully transition from working roles to companion dogs. For example, Dalmatians were bred as coach horses and to accompany fire trucks, whippets were bred for racing; both breeds are now popular pets.

Greyhounds pre-date commercial racing by several thousand years and exist globally as companion and show dogs. Only four countries worldwide continue to operate a commercial greyhound racing industry, yet greyhounds remain popular pets internationally due to their calm, gentle, and adaptable nature. The continuation of the breed is not dependent on the existence of a commercial racing industry.

SPCA supports the continuation of the greyhound breed outside the racing industry but considers that this must occur in a responsible and welfare-focused manner. SPCA therefore advocates that all greyhounds should be desexed once they leave the racing industry, with exemptions applying only to Dogs NZ-registered breeders who intend to produce greyhounds for companionship or showing.

The decision to end commercial greyhound racing followed years of concerns about animal welfare on and off the track - including high rates of serious injuries and deaths, exposure to illegal and banned substances, prolonged confinement in barren kennels - alongside issues with transparency and reporting.

Independent reviews over many years identified persistent welfare issues within the industry. Despite multiple opportunities to make meaningful improvements, and genuine efforts by some people involved in racing to improve outcomes, the industry was unable to demonstrate sufficient progress to address these longstanding concerns.

The Government announced the end of commercial greyhound racing on 10 December 2024. Legislation was also passed the same day of the announcement in 2024, to prevent euthanasia of healthy greyhounds. The industry was then given 20 months to wind down before the ban came into effect on 1 August 2026.

The end of commercial racing is a significant milestone for animal welfare in New Zealand. It also marks the beginning of a bright new journey for greyhounds.

If you would like to learn more about SPCA’s role in ending greyhound racing in New Zealand see our advocacy page.