The short answer
To rehome a greyhound well: describe their calm, low-exercise nature honestly, be upfront about prey drive around cats and small animals, note they feel the cold and need a coat in winter, and screen for a settled home. List free on LocalPetFinder, keep the dog with you until you choose the family, and check the current NSW rules on greyhound muzzling before rehoming.
Rehome your Greyhound on LocalPetFinder
List free, keep your dog at home until adopted, and choose the new family yourself. Your email stays private.
List your dog free →Why greyhounds need rehoming
Many greyhounds needing homes are retired racing dogs, rehomed in large numbers when their racing life ends. Others are pets rehomed for the usual reasons: a move, a new baby, a change in circumstances. Whatever the reason, greyhounds tend to settle quickly into a new home because they are adaptable and undemanding.
A greyhound is often called a 45 mph couch potato. They sprint for a minute and then sleep most of the day. That makes them a surprisingly easy dog for the right home, which is a big part of why they rehome well.
The right home for a greyhound
Greyhounds suit calm households, including apartments and homes with older owners, because their exercise needs are modest: a couple of gentle walks a day and a soft bed to sleep on. They are sensitive, quiet dogs that dislike chaos.
Two honest points to raise in every listing. First, prey drive: many greyhounds have a strong instinct to chase small fast-moving animals, so a home with cats or small pets needs careful assessment and some greyhounds are not suited to it. Second, the cold: greyhounds have almost no body fat or coat, so they feel Sydney winters and need a coat and a warm indoor bed.
Screening, muzzling and handover
Screen for a calm home that understands the breed. Ask about other pets, especially cats and small animals, and whether the home can keep the dog warm and comfortable indoors. A modest fee plus screening is safer than a free listing.
NSW has specific rules about muzzling greyhounds in public that have changed over time, so check the current requirements before you rehome and pass that information to the new owner. At handover, transfer the microchip registration through the NSW Pet Registry and hand over vaccination, desexing and vet records.
Where to rehome, and the fee
Retired racing greyhounds are commonly placed through greyhound rehoming programs, and general rescues can help too. RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL NSW) accept owner surrenders based on capacity, and Sydney Dogs and Cats Home takes surrenders. A dedicated greyhound adoption program often has the deepest breed knowledge but may run a waitlist, so ask early. Owner-to-owner rehoming keeps your greyhound at home until the handover.
Adult dog adoption fees in Sydney commonly run $300 to $600, covering desexing, vaccination and microchipping, though greyhound programs sometimes set their own lower fee. A modest private rehoming fee is reasonable and safer than free. Screening matters more than the figure.
New to rehoming? Start with our step-by-step guide to rehoming a dog for free, our guide to screening adopters, and the reasons a modest fee beats free to good home.
Looking to adopt a Greyhound instead?
Browse Greyhounds available for adoption from rescues and owners across Sydney.
See adoptable Greyhounds →Frequently asked questions
Are ex-racing greyhounds good pets?+
Yes, very often. Retired racing greyhounds are typically calm, gentle and quick to settle into home life. They need modest exercise and a lot of rest. The main things to match are prey drive around small animals and their sensitivity to cold, both of which the right home can manage easily.
Can a greyhound live with cats?+
Some can, some cannot. Many greyhounds have a strong prey drive and will chase cats or small animals, while others are calm around them. It depends on the individual dog. Be honest in your listing about what you have seen, and let a home with cats assess carefully before committing.
Do I need to muzzle a greyhound in NSW?+
NSW muzzling rules for greyhounds have changed over time, so check the current requirements with the NSW Office of Local Government before rehoming and pass that information to the new owner. This is general information, not legal advice, so confirm the rule that applies now.
Why do greyhounds need coats?+
Greyhounds have very little body fat and a thin coat, so they feel the cold more than most dogs and can shiver even in a mild Sydney winter. A warm indoor bed and a dog coat for cool mornings keep them comfortable. Mention this in the listing so the new home is prepared.
How do I rehome a greyhound for free?+
List your greyhound on LocalPetFinder at no cost. Your email stays private until you reply, the listing is reviewed, and the dog appears beside rescue dogs. Keep the dog with you, screen applicants for a calm suitable home, and transfer the microchip to the new owner via the NSW Pet Registry at handover.
Related guides
Rehoming a Staffy? Why Staffies end up needing new homes, how to find the right one, and how to do it free and safely, owner to owner.
Rehoming a Kelpie? Why this high-drive working breed needs a job, the right active home, and how to rehome free and safely in NSW.
Rehoming a Border Collie? Why this clever high-energy breed needs stimulation, the right home, and how to rehome free and safely in NSW.
A no-judgment framework and a three-week clarity protocol so you decide with evidence.
Every guide on rehoming a dog or cat in Australia, plus how to list for free.