Adopting a greyhound in Glasgow: rescues, rules and costs

There are two ways to adopt a greyhound from Glasgow: from a foster home, through a charity that matches you with a hound, or at a kennel, where you meet the dogs in one visit. Greyhound Awareness League and Greyhound Trust West Scotland work the first way; Greyhound Rescue Fife, about 40 miles away near Kinross, the second.

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every greyhound and greyhound cross listed with us within about 41 miles of Glasgow, and each profile links to the rescue that has the dog. Greyhound Rescue Fife is the only greyhound rescue we list near Glasgow, so those dogs are at its kennels; our Glasgow greyhound page shows them nearest first. The two foster routes don't list with us, so apply to them directly.

The Scottish greyhound rescues set clear rules before you apply. These are the ones Glasgow homes meet most often:

Most come out of racing. The Greyhound Trust says most greyhounds retire between three and five years old, and its homepage puts the number retiring each year at about 8,000, of which it finds homes for about half. Greyhound Awareness League says its dogs come straight from trainers or as welfare cases.

A rescue fee pays for work you would otherwise fund yourself. Greyhound Awareness League says its fee covers neutering, vaccinations and microchipping, though it publishes no amount, so ask. At the kennels near Kinross, Greyhound Rescue Fife's £180 donation covers vaccinations, neutering, and a collar, lead and muzzle. A puppy, by contrast, costs £400 to £3,000 to buy, says Blue Cross, before any of that.

Running costs are the same either way. PDSA puts the set-up cost of a large dog at £560, which includes first vaccinations and neutering, and the monthly cost at £116 or more. What a rescue adds is knowledge: it already knows how the adult dog walks on a lead and gets on with other dogs.

A rescue greyhound has usually had some vet care before rehoming: Greyhound Awareness League says all its dogs get medical checkups, and Greyhound Rescue Fife's donation covers vaccinations and neutering. Ask what was found. UK breed sources point to these:

• A nerve disease. The Royal Kennel Club asks greyhound breeders to DNA test for greyhound neuropathy (GN).
• Stomach, gums and eyes. PDSA says greyhounds can be prone to gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV, or "bloat", where the stomach twists), gum disease and progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition.
• Bones and blood. PDSA also names bone cancer and von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder.
• Racing injuries. Ask whether the dog has any old injuries, and how it moves now.

A greyhound needs less walking than people expect. The Greyhound Trust says greyhounds are "built for speed, not stamina" and happy with two twenty-minute walks a day, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says they generally prefer around two 30-minute walks. The thin coat feels the cold, so plan for wet, chilly walks: PDSA says greyhounds need a warm coat in cold weather and shorter outings.

On muzzles, the two charities differ. The Greyhound Trust says greyhounds "do not need to be muzzled at all times", but suggests one when out and about until you know how your dog behaves around other breeds. Battersea says ex-racers "will always need to wear one when out walking in public spaces". Greyhound Rescue Fife is firm on leads: a greyhound should never be let off in a public place, and its signed adoption form makes the owner responsible if the dog injures another animal. For a run, Battersea suggests a secure dog walking field.

Settling in takes time: many of Greyhound Awareness League's hounds first saw the inside of a house in foster. Its rough guide for a rehomed dog is 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routine and 3 months to feel at home.

Rescue greyhounds are adopted, not sold. You apply or phone, the rescue matches you with a dog, and you pay its donation or fee. The Scottish greyhound rescues rehome mostly adults, because racers retire at three to five, so a puppy is unlikely.

If you decide to buy, The Royal Kennel Club runs a "Find a puppy" service, and Dogs Trust's breed guides suggest asking your vet first, as some practices offer pre-purchase consultations on likely health problems and rough costs. Police Scotland advises against paying for anything you haven't seen, and takes reports of online marketplace fraud.