Adopting a greyhound in Norwich and Norfolk

Before this update, no greyhound inside 25 miles of Norwich was on our pages. The count on this page grows as the Hainford hounds go live.

Its adoption page sets out the route:

1. Get in touch. Ring or message the kennel team, or fill in the enquiry form, which asks about children, other pets, your garden fences and whether you rent.
2. Home visit. Once you and the team agree on a hound, one of its home checkers looks at your boundaries and explains what greyhound ownership involves.
3. Paperwork. After a successful visit you book an appointment to sign, pay the £200 and take your greyhound home.
4. Follow-up. The team phones in the first days and weeks and visits again after 3 to 4 weeks. It will always take one of its hounds back, however long it has been homed.

Most hounds leave the track young; the Greyhound Trust says three to five is typical, which leaves a long life as a pet. Norfolk Greyhound Rescue also takes dogs that never made it to the track. Every greyhound on the Hainford list on the day we checked was 3 or older.

The Hainford team asks about each of these on its enquiry form:

• Cats. Greyhounds are trained to chase, and the charity says some can live with cats but many cannot. On 6 November 2026 none of its available or reserved hounds was marked as cat friendly: five said no and the rest were untested.
• Children. Seven of the 11 profiles that day said older children, one said teenagers and two said no children.
• A garden. It homes a greyhound without a secure garden only in exceptional circumstances, and will consider a ground-floor flat with a private or shared garden.
• Time alone. It wants time alone built up slowly; if you work, plan for someone to come in at lunchtime. Renters need the landlord's written permission.

The £200 at Hainford covers neutering, vaccinations, the chip and flea and worm treatment, plus a leather collar and lead, a muzzle and 4 weeks of Petplan cover, with support for the dog's life. Norfolk Greyhound Rescue suggests £275 for a hound from Ireland, which arrives with a Pet Passport and a rabies jab.

Compare a bred puppy: Blue Cross gives £400 to £3,000 with no vet work included, and PDSA budgets £560 to set up a large dog, then £116 or more each month.

Expect a long pet life: over 10 years according to The Royal Kennel Club, and as many as 15 according to the Greyhound Trust. Ask the charity what vet work your hound has had, then let your own vet take over.

• Teeth. PDSA lists gum disease among the problems greyhounds can be prone to, so brush and book regular checks.
• Bloat. PDSA also names gastric dilatation volvulus, where the stomach twists, a risk in large deep-chested dogs. It is an emergency: go to a vet straight away.
• Other risks. PDSA's list also has bone cancer, progressive retinal atrophy (which damages sight) and von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder.
• Winter. Thin fur keeps little heat in, so PDSA suggests a coat outdoors in the cold and keeping winter outings brief.

Greyhounds are sprinters, not distance runners. Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders suggests at least two 30-minute walks a day for most, a lead everywhere except a fully fenced area, no extending leads, and a muzzle while you learn how your hound behaves near other dogs, cats and wildlife. It advises two meals a day from a raised bowl. It also holds events through the year, a chance to meet owners and hounds (events).

Rescue greyhounds are not sold. You enquire, the charity chooses a hound for your household, and the adoption fee covers the vet work and kit. Each greyhound on our Norwich greyhound page is adopted through the rescue looking after it.

Buying a pup from a breeder instead? Blue Cross says to meet it with its mother, The Royal Kennel Club lists breeders in its Find a puppy search, and a suspicious advert should go to Report Fraud. For other dogs, see our Norwich dog rescues guide.