The Real World Economics of Greyhound Adoption

Our passion is greyhounds… transitioning former racing greyhounds into beloved pets. The beloved pets part is easy. It’s the veterinary care required to transition that comes with a hefty price tag. Our adoption fee does not cover the expense otherwise we would price ourselves out of the marketplace. So, this is why we need your help…

It Takes Time, Money and Experience to Transition a Greyhound to a Family Pet

As the cliché goes, it takes a village. However in the case of Tucson greyhound adoption it does takes a village to retire a racing greyhound and transition him or her into a forever home. Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption’s biggest expense is veterinary services, such as:
Dogs leaving the race track are spayed or neutered
Teeth are surgically cleaned
Dogs are wormed, sometimes more than once
Fecal testing is required as well as testing for tick and heartworm
Start on heartworm prevention medication
Application of medication for fleas and ticks

Oh, and let’s not forget the microchip and any other veterinary expenses that may be required from minor to major. We believe that a healthy hound should race to your couch.

The next big expense is kenneling. Dogs remain at a commercial pet kennel in Marana until they are able to be spayed or neutered and then moved into a foster home. 

Except for the veterinary services and the kennel fees (includes kibble), everyone else volunteers their services – kennel turnout, webmaster, treasurer, etc. so there are no paid administrative personnel.  Other costs include insurance, printing, postage, event expenses, leashes & collars, bedding, meet & greet supplies, etc.  Frugal is our middle name.

For now, there is a dog track in South Tucson and there is always an immediate need to retire these greyhounds. No greyhound should ever be left behind because of lack of funding.

The cost to transition ONE retired racing greyhound for ONE month:

• $100   Checkup & fecal test

• $4      Probiotics for one dog for a week

• $22    De-wormer (Panacur)

• $5      Heartgard Plus (per dog after negative SNAP test)

• $6      Bordatella shot (to prevent kennel cough)

• $11    Frontline Plus (per dog per month)

• $192  Kennel per dog per month (includes dry dog food)

Total so far - $340 plus…

• $260 for spay or neuter, dental, SNAP test, microchip, baseline blood work and any shots due

The minimum total is $600 per dog, more if they stay longer in the kennel.

Yet, the cost to adopt a greyhound from Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption is only $250. Why $250? We believe that this is what we can expect a family to afford. The goal is to place as many hounds as we can.

If you do the math, for every retired racing greyhound we adopt into a loving forever home, the organization must raise an additional $350 just to cover our costs.

Track Dogs with Special Needs

However, that is not the entire story. Sometimes we get track dogs who have special needs.  

These may include:

• Broken leg or broken hock
• A dog who has rash or allergies that require diagnostic tests to determine the cause and expensive prescriptions to treat the problem
• Severe eye, ear, digestive problems requiring a specialist

Anything out of the routine care would be considered special needs. We have a special fund for these special dogs. If inclined, when making your donation, in the comments be sure to earmark “special needs.”

Is it worth it?

Of course! Giving a chance to a retired racing greyhound to enjoy being a cherished family pet is priceless.

That’s why Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption needs your financial help.