Steel City Greyhounds Inc., a 501 (c) (3)
Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation has been established to promote adoption of retired racing
greyhounds in the metropolitan Pittsburgh and surrounding western Pennsylvania
regions. Financial records are audited annually and are available for review,
by request, to anyone who adopts a greyhound from SCG. Federal tax returns
available upon request.
Donations are always needed for dog medical expenses and other
program related costs. Donating is easy via our PayPal button below. Thank You.
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What is the Steel City
Greyhounds Adoption Philosophy?
Steel
City Greyhounds is committed to ensuring that the quality of homes
found will take precedence over the quantity of greyhounds placed.
What is the Benefit of Fostering
Greyhounds in an Adoption Kennel?
All of the retired greyhounds come to (the) Steel City
Greyhounds adoption kennel from racing kennels, making the initial
transition from racetrack to retirement relatively stress-free. Each
greyhound resides in the adoption kennel until it is placed in a home
for the first time. This eliminates the need for the greyhound to adjust
to multiple changes in environments required when moving from a foster
home to a permanent home, or to another foster home. Greyhounds are
born and raised in kennels and thrive in the kennel environment. |
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What is the Procedure for Adopting a
Greyhound from Steel City Greyhounds?
Complete and submit or mail
the online application to Steel City Greyhounds. Once the application is
reviewed, you will be interviewed by phone. Following approval for adoption, you
will have to obtain the necessary adoption "equipment". A visitation with the
available greyhounds will be scheduled by a SCG adoption representative.
*VISITATION OF GREYHOUNDS IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The professional staff
at the boarding kennel are NOT Steel City Greyhounds' volunteers and therefore
cannot accommodate unscheduled visits. PLEASE RESPECT THIS POLICY.
What Does it Cost to Adopt a Greyhound?
A donation of
$250 per greyhound is required, which includes the costs of
neutering, parasite testing, flea and tick treatment, vaccinations,
transportation and grooming. An identification tag, a martingale collar, and
a leash is also included in the donation.
How Long is the Adoption Process?
In
general, after an adoption application is received, it is processed within a
week. Availability of greyhounds for
adoption varies depending on when they are released by racetracks. Usually,
there are a small number of greyhounds available for adoption at all times.
Contact SCG for additional information and with questions concerning
adoptions.
Greyhound Adoption Books
There are
excellent books with additional information to help you decide if a greyhound is
the right choice for you. We recommend reading:
"Adopting The Retired Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan
"Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies" by Lee Livingood
"Greyhounds" by Carolyn Coille
"Childproofing Your Dog" by Brian Kilcommons
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Tell me more about Greyhounds
Greyhounds placed are usually between 2 and 5 1/2
years old. These retired racers are very intelligent and adaptable dogs, who fit
easily into their new home environment following a brief adjustment period. They
are eager to please and respond positively to any attention given them. The
majority of the greyhounds are quiet, clean, gentle, good-natured dogs who
adapt and get along well with other animals and people. They seem grateful for
their new homes and reward their new owners with never-ending affection. They do
not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do need
exercise. Inside the house, they enjoy curling up in the corner on a soft bed.
Greyhound males stand 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65
and 85 pounds. Females stand 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 70
pounds. They come in many colors: black, white, several shades of brindle, fawn,
red, or a combination of these colors. Many people assume these dogs are "grey"
when, in fact, blue is the least common color of greyhound.
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What is Their Life Expectancy?
These purebred athletes enjoy many years of good health. With
proper care, they have a life expectancy of 12 years or more.
How Much Does it Cost to Adopt and Care for a Greyhound?
A nominal adoption fee helps defray the expenses incurred on
behalf of the dog including spay/neuter procedure, vaccinations, dental
cleaning, medical testing, etc. Caring for a greyhound costs on average between
$800 and $1000 per year including food, treats, toys and routine medical
maintenance like dental cleanings and vaccinations.
Do Greyhounds Need a Lot of Exercise?
Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog, but they are
sprinters without a lot of endurance. A retired racer is quite content to be a
"couch potato" and spend most of the day sleeping. Exercising with walks and
occasional opportunities to run around in a fenced area is all that's required.
Greyhounds can never be trusted off-lead in an unfenced area!
Are Retired Racing Greyhounds Already Housebroken?
While racing, greyhounds are "kennel broken," which means they
are trained not to relieve themselves in their living area. They are clean dogs
by nature and would prefer to relieve themselves outdoors when given a choice.
These two factors, combined with specific advice from a trained
representative at the time of adoption, lead to an easy transition into life as
a house pet.
What Kind of Grooming do Greyhounds Require?
Greyhounds' coats are short and sleek, so they stay clean for
long periods of time between baths. While frequent bathing is unnecessary, these
dogs do seem to enjoy (understatement) the occasional brushing with a hound
glove.
How are Greyhounds with Kids?
Greyhounds generally are not suitable for families
with children under six years old. They cannot tolerate rough play due to their
sensitive and delicate skin, sleek coat and little body fat. Their natural
speed, strength and athleticism are not the best combination with babies, young
children or persons unsteady on their feet, as they could easily be tipped over
by a playful greyhound!
SCG is now enforcing the following
requirements "IF YOU HAVE A CHILD OR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX." :
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Along with reading one of our
recommended books about adopting a retired racing greyhound, SCG requires
that you read "Childproofing Your Dog" by Brian Kilcommons.
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Families must have a fenced in yard.
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Every family who has a child or
children under the age of six will go through a secondary screening and a
home visit.
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How are They with Other Pets?
Greyhounds are friendly by nature and socialize well with most
family pets as a result of encounters with other greyhounds in the racing
kennel. Even cats and small dogs are often easily accepted as family members.
SCG has successfully placed hundreds of greyhounds with happy owners who also
have cats and small dogs. We get to know each and every dog as an individual and
do our best to match the dog's personality to an ideal home environment.
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What Kinds of Pets do Retired Racing Greyhounds Make?
Greyhounds are affectionate, friendly dogs who thrive on
attention and human companionship. They make terrific pets! Raised with their
littermates where they competed for affection, greyhounds love becoming the
center of attention as household pets. Greyhounds usually do not make good
watchdogs.
Interested in Adopting a Greyhound?
If you have been thinking about getting a pet, adopting a
greyhound may be right for you. You will be rewarded with many years of love and
enjoyment. Please refer to the homepage to find adoption information and how to
submit an application.
How Else Can You Help?
If you are unable to adopt a
greyhound, you can still help SCG. We are a non-profit organization staffed by
unpaid volunteers. Our expenses can be high and we warmly appreciate
contributions! Please make Steel City Greyhounds your charity of choice
by going to
Goodsearch.com
and
Goodshop.com.
Searching the web earns us a penny and shopping will earn us a percentage!
Volunteer to Help!
We are grateful for volunteers
to help with fundraising, public relations, transporting dogs, placement
follow-ups, home visits, etc. Tell your friends about SGC and our wonderful
greyhounds. **You do NOT have to be a greyhound owner to volunteer for SCG!
Contact SCG by phone, fax or e-mail at
info@steelcitygreyhounds.org
for general information about greyhounds.
Steel City Greyhounds
6890 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone: 412.362.2470
Fax: 412.661.5211
Board of
Directors and Officers
Marci Anderson-President
David
Anderson-Treasurer
Beverly
Bader-Secretary
Chuck Hack--Vice President
Mimi Lenenberg--Director-at-Large
