About Greyhounds & the Golden State
Greyhound Adoption / Rescue Organization

Golden State Greyhound Adoption began in September of 2002. We have grown since then by expanding our outreach and placement services into many more communities. We currently serve the greater San Francisco Bay Area, South to Carmel, Sacramento, the Valley areas and beyond.

Golden State Greyhound Adoption (G.S.G.A.) is an independent, California registered charity 501(c)3 and is not governed by any other entity. Your generous cash and in-kind donations are tax deductible.

Our Mission
We exist to educate the public on the plight of the retired racing greyhound in order to find great homes for former-racing greyhounds.

Where Do our Dogs Come From?
The majority of our greyhounds are flown in from the racing kennels in Colorado. This would not be possible but for the cooperative relationship which our volunteers in Denver have built over the years. We also respond to track closures and other urgent situations by taking in additional hounds from Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona, Mexico or from other U.S. states in which greyhound racing is still legal. Through our network of connections we make it possible for some of our adopters to successfully reunite the sister or brother of their current hound.

How do we do it?
G.S.G.A. exists to place as many of the greyhounds that would otherwise perish as possible. We do not have kennels, or a complex. Everything we do is with and through our volunteers and our wonderful foster home program and their families. We could not accomplish this rewarding work without them. We have volunteers who transport our dogs to and from the airport, greyhound adoption partners who haul the dogs here from out of state, volunteers who foster, and many who spend their weekends with their greyhounds educating the public about these wonderful companions.

Our Approach
Our primary way of educating is through this informative web site and by speaking with people "face-to-face" at our "Meet and Greet," Events. We focus on the basics of consistently offering potential adopters "no-pressure" Meet and Greets where they can touch and get to know our own greyhounds. By offering visitors events each month to choose from, throughout our Bay, Sacramento, and Valley Areas, we make it more convenient for potential adopters to learn what life with a greyhound is like. You might see us at your local farmers markets, pet stores, street fairs or at other public venues. By educating the public we find greyt homes for these former-racers and loving companions. Find the next Meet and Greet nearest you on our Greyhound Events page.

Our Organization
While our origins and growth has been organic, our activities and message is deliberate and well-organized, with processes in place built upon practical experience, of what works, and what is best for our dogs.

Mike Murray, Community Outreach Director at Pet Food Express, says, "I don't know how you do it, you are the most organized group I have seen."

Our particular strength is in building a community within our organization of mutual support and friendship out of our mutual love and respect for greyhounds. It's good to know that if our adopters have an emergency, or just a puzzling question, we are here for them when they need us.

WHEN
Golden State Greyhound Adoption is 'open' 365 days a year. On most weekends you will find our Airport Team meeting new greyhounds as they arrive from Denver at the San Francisco International Airport. The need for adopters never stops, so neither do we. We do whatever is needed to bring in and place available greyhounds.