Adoption Process

Our adoption process at AFG is designed to create the best fit between family and dog. We’ve found forever homes for thousands of dogs with this process and we’ve found that it works really well. Here is an outline of what to expect when you apply to adopt a dog with AFG! 

1. Submit your application. At AFG, you don’t submit an application for a specific animal but just to adopt a greyhound in general. There are always several adoptions coming up on our docket, so we won’t know what dogs will be available when your adoption visit comes up until the weekend before so try not to fall in love with a specific dog- as dogs are adopted, new ones are being added to the website. We will ask you which dogs you might be interested in to get an idea about personality and characteristics that would make a good fit in the application. Make sure that you see a page thanking you for submission- if you didn’t get that page, go back and try again as we want to make sure we receive your application! 
2. Application check. After you submit your application, we will contact your references and your vet (if you have one). It helps if you reach out to your references to tell them to expect a call from us and let your vet know that they can talk to us. This part of the process can take a few weeks so try to be patient. If you’re from over two hours away with a cat or have children under 6, it’s likely that your application will be denied or we will refer you to other groups. We try to place greyhounds with the best fit household, so we retain the right to deny applications if it doesn’t seem like the best fit, up through the time of the adoption visit. If you haven’t heard back from us in over a month, you can always feel free to reach out to see what the status of your application is- it may have gotten lost in the shuffle!  
3. Application approved! If your application is approved, we will reach out to you by email to move onto the next step- scheduling your adoption visit! If you have heard that your references are being contacted, keep an eye out for the next set of emails. We will first schedule your adoption visit (sometimes referred to as an in home), setting up the time and place for it. If you have cats, we will come to your house for the adoption visit. If you don’t have cats, we will have you do the adoption visit at the kennel. There’s a large room where you can meet all of the potential dogs and introduce them to your dog(s), if you have any. As a volunteer-run organization, this is for the ease of our fosters, adoption coordinators, and dogs (who don’t have to be driven around). We will not choose dogs at this point- that’s for the next set of emails.
4. Dog choice. About a week before your adoption visit, the adoption coordinator will send you an email to choose dogs. We will ask about dealbreakers, personality traits, and any extras to consider (such as you live in an apartment and need a quiet dog). We will also ask for a list of 4-5 dogs that you might be interested in from the website. Together with the adoption coordinator and based on your needs/wants, the three dogs that you will see on your adoption visit will be chosen. The more information you can give us about what you’re looking for, the better so that we can match for best fit! We will also ask you for pictures of your home to make sure we talk about specifics (like gates/fence if you have one, how to train on stairs, etc.) and give you specifics as to locations, details for the day of, etc. then.
5. Adoption visit! The final step of our process is the adoption, either at the kennel or your home (depending on if you have cats). We will have three dogs at the adoption visit for you to choose from. Adoption visits typically take 2-3 hours, allowing for dogs to calm down and for you to bring them on a short walk and interact as much as possible. We will additionally test the dogs with your individual animals, seeing how they react to your cat(s) and dog(s). The adoption will take place after you choose and the dog will go home with you or be left at your house that day. We do not keep dogs on hold or schedule adoptions until you’re ready to welcome the dog to your household. As part of the adoption, you will be given 3 months of heartworm, three days of food, a collar, leash, and muzzle. Once you’ve made your decision, we discuss more about greyhounds, finishing all the paperwork. Then you have a new best friend! 
6. After you adopt. The AFG community doesn’t end after you adopt. We have yearly events, a private Facebook group, and meet and greets that we would love to see you at! We will send you a congratulations email with extra information and invite you to the Facebook group. If you have any questions about greyhounds, need to find a dog babysitter, or even want to join a greyhound walking group, we’re here to help! We have a wealth of information about greyhounds in our group and our volunteers are always willing to help if you have questions. One of the best parts about AFG is joining our community of greyhound lovers!