Wheeling Island Greyhound Adoptions

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

RESERVED FOR ADOPTION

OLIVE (Not cat tested)

This is a little and very shy girl. Olive never preformed any races, as she "flunked" out of schooling. Though she wants the attention of people, she has a good sense of Stranger Danger and won't approach strangers readily. Once she warms up, which may take a few days, she is a very sweet, playful little thing! Olive's personality really shines when she has another dog or two with her. Other dogs give her a great boost of confidence. With others, she will happily approach people, bounce around and play, and her tail wags a lot more. Please note that this means we will not adopt Olive out as a single dog - she must have another dog at home. Though she seems shy and demure at times, she is still basically a puppy and that puppy energy will occasionally show through!

Racing: FGF Online Shopper
Female
DOB 06/24/2024

05/26/2026

It's time to update some adoption information! Please send us a private message for further information or clarifications.

1. Our adoption range is 1 hour from Wheeling, WV. If you live a further distance away, please send us a message. We will send you information for adoption groups close to you and those we partner with to help facilitate adoptions. We are willing to work with those further from an hour as long as we can partner with an adoption group near you.

2. These dogs are retired, not rescued. Please refrain from using "rescue" language when discussing the adoption process of them. We are not an animal shelter or a rescue group. This means we also do not take in dogs unless they were previously adopted from us.

3. To visit our office, please arrange a meeting time 24 hours in advance to ensure we are present upon your arrival. The easiest way to contact us is through email ([email protected]) or a private message on Facebook. Our phone number is 304-231-1899 and leave a message, as we are not usually available to answer the phone.

4. The adoption fee is the vet invoice, which is typically around $850. This will include the dog's spay or neuter, a dental, a 4dx test, and vaccines if needed.

5. We will not reserve a dog for you until we have received an application. Individuals who have submitted an application as well as visited the dogs will receive the highest priority. These dogs move out fast so please be attentive if you are interested. Applications can be received in person in the office or via email. Please message us with your email to receive the application.

05/25/2026

Did you adopt from us? Send Keepwvgreyhounds your pet's information, pictures, funny stories, etc!

We want to celebrate the incredible lives our greyhounds are living in retirement. To do this, we need your help! If you currently have a racing or retired greyhound with lines from Wheeling Island or Mardi Gras/Tri State, we want to hear from you!

Either add to this post, or email [email protected]

Please include:
- Who your greyhound is: Share their name, racing name, and their unique personality quirks.
- Your spark: How did you first get interested in greyhounds?
- The ultimate truth: Why is your hound the absolute best greyhound to ever exist? (Spoiler alert: You are 100% correct, and so is everyone else!)

Please attach 1–2 of your favourite photos of your greyhound relaxing, playing, rooing or anything else you would like to share.

We cannot wait to feature your stories and show the world how wonderful life is with our West Virginia racers and retirees.

05/24/2026

Did you know?

Greyhounds have different blood values that other dogs. This leads them to sometimes be diagnosed with incorrect issues! Always ask your vet if they are aware of these differences, and always check with your vet if you have questions!

05/23/2026

Did you know?

Greyhounds (and other sighthounds) have larger hearts compared to other dogs. This is a totally normal, genetic trait in these dogs that have developed over time. A larger heart enables them to run faster, as blood can be pumped more efficiently and more swiftly through the body.

Pictured: An X-ray of a Greyhound on the Left and a non-greyhound dog on the right. See the difference? (Not our photo)

05/22/2026

Greyhounds are world-class athletes. To suggest they reach speeds of 70 km/h while living in a crate for 23 hours a day defies both biological reality, logic and common sense.

Here is the reality of life in a professional racing kennel.

The Biology of an Athlete
Muscle atrophy begins quickly without movement. A dog confined for 23 hours would lack the bone density, cardiovascular health, and muscular explosive power required to compete safely.
- Mass: Racing Greyhounds carry lean muscle mass that requires regular engagement.
- Flexibility: High-speed cornering requires supple joints and strong connective tissue.
- Mental State: A "kennel-sour" or depressed dog will not chase. Winning requires high drive and focus.

The Daily Routine (The "Turn-Out" Reality)
While critics focus on crates, they ignore the frequent "turn-outs." In a regulated kennel, dogs are typically out 6 to 8 times a day.
- Frequency: Dogs are moved from their sleeping quarters to exercise paddocks roughly every 3 hours during the day.
- Duration: Each turn-out lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather and the individual dog's needs.
- Total Activity: This totals 4 to 6 hours of socialization and movement—far more than the average "pet" dog home alone while its owner works a 9-to-5 job.

Understanding the "Crate"
In the racing world, the kennel is a bedroom, not a prison.
- Safety: Greyhounds have thin skin and individual kennels prevent "pack scuffles" and injuries.
- Rest: Like human sprinters, recovery is part of training. Greyhounds are notoriously "45-mph couch potatoes" who naturally sleep up to 18 hours a day.
- Size: Professional crates are large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and stretch fully.

The Evidence of Care
- Veterinary Oversight: Racing dogs undergo more frequent physical exams than almost any other canine population.
- Regulated Standards: Modern racing jurisdictions have strict welfare codes that mandate exercise minimums.
- Investment: A trainer’s -livelihood depends on the dog's peak physical condition. Mistreatment is quite literally bad for business.

Key Takeaway: If you see an elite athlete, you are seeing the result of elite care, structured exercise, and specialized nutrition—not 23 hours of confinement.

05/22/2026

Did you know Greyhounds tend to have bad teeth as a breed? And did you know there are ways you can take care of their teeth that don't involve putting them under anesthesia for a dental?

Of course, the best way to take care of your hound's teeth is to brush them yourself. There are many different brushes, finger brushes, and toothpastes you can use!

If your greyhound won't let you brush their teeth easily, then there are also ways that let them brush their teeth themselves:

Hard kibble, hard treats (like large whole Milkbones), and hard chews (like Nylabone, Benebone) are ways that can help break plaque off your dog's teeth. Long-lasting chews such as dried tendons or bully sticks will also help break plaque off your dog's teeth! And, of course, there are dental chews made specifically to have shapes that work to clean the teeth as the dog chews.

Always watch your hound while they are chewing these. If they already have weak teeth due to dental issues, hard chews may break their teeth. Some bleeding on dogs with a lot of plaque is normal (this is because the plaque invades the gums) but excessive bleeding is not! Always consult your vet if you have questions.

Here, the hounds get large milkbones whole frequently, which helps clean their teeth. We also get long-lasting chews on occasion and a few chew toys that we sanitize and pass around.

05/20/2026

And don't forget about Fleas and Ticks! It may be rainy here in Wheeling, but that won't stop pests from climbing onto your hounds.

With Memorial Day Weekend approaching and warmer weather, here are some tips for keeping your pets safe!
🌞🐾🇺🇲

05/19/2026

Part one of a 3-part series detailing how adoption works for the greyhounds! KeepWVGreyhounds has a lot of information on their page about the benefits of greyhound racing for the greyhounds themselves as well as the state. They show where the money goes throughout the state and how the trainers and people love the dogs!

From Trackside Care to Forever Homes – Part 1 of 3: An Interview with Taylor H.

Interviewer: Taylor, how did you first become involved with NGA greyhounds?

Taylor H.: I actually started at one of the local veterinary clinics that sees a lot of NGA greyhounds, both active racers and retired dogs. The on-site veterinarian at the track oversees many of the racing hounds, but the local clinic handles a lot of the more advanced care—things like x-rays, surgeries, bloodwork, and specialized exams. Greyhounds were just a normal part of the weekly patient load, mixed right in with everyone else. That’s where I really got to know the breed.

Interviewer: From your experience, what makes professionally raised NGA greyhounds different from many pet-bred dogs?

Taylor H.: NGA hounds tend to understand structure and routine very naturally. They grow up surrounded by other greyhounds—eating together, playing together, going outside together—and they’re constantly around people. Because of that, they’re usually extremely social with both humans and dogs as soon as they enter a home.

Dog aggression and reactivity are actually very uncommon among them because they’ve spent their lives learning how to interact with other dogs appropriately. Many pet-bred dogs require intentional socialization to develop those skills, but NGA greyhounds grow up immersed in it from the start.

Interviewer: What drew you into the transition and adoption side of the breed?

Taylor H.: While I was working at the vet clinic, I considered adopting one of the retired racers myself. At the time, I had a cat, and that particular dog wasn’t the right fit. But it opened the door for me to learn more about the adoption world.

I eventually discovered there was an entire adoption facility dedicated to helping these dogs transition into retirement, and not long after that, they were hiring for an adoption coordinator. The idea of spending my days working with dogs and helping them move into happy retirement homes sounded perfect to me.

Interviewer: What does daily life look like for retired racers while they wait for adoption?

Taylor H.: Their routine is still very structured, similar to what they were used to in the racing kennels. We start early with turnout and breakfast, then throughout the day they get longer turnout sessions where they can run and play together outside.

They also get enrichment activities to keep them mentally stimulated. That might include walks around the property, toy time in the office, puzzle feeders, or meet-and-greets with visitors. One of their favorite things is office toy time because they get the entire toy pile all to themselves.

At night, we do one final turnout, turn on the radio, and settle them in for bed.

Stay tuned for Part 2!