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The Wisconsin Division of Gaming requires an Adopt-A-Greyhound program at the Wisconsin greyhound track as a way to ensure that animals which participate in pari-mutuel racing are treated humanely throughout their lives. In addition to racetrack adoption programs, local, state and national adoption organizations assist Wisconsin racetracks in placing retired greyhounds.  Since 1990, Wisconsin adoption programs have successfully placed over 25,000 greyhounds in homes.

The adoption center at Dairyland Greyhound Park includes: a viewing area that allows track patrons to view and meet the greyhounds available for adoption; a kennel area including the greyhounds' housing area and turn-out pens; an acclimation area that assists a greyhound, ready for adoption, in adapting to a home environment. Adoption center staff evaluates all greyhounds presented to the center to determine each greyhound's suitability as a pet. Upon acceptance into the program, the animal enters a three to six week socialization program. The acclimation program includes exposure to a simulated family environment including contact with children, other pets and unfamiliar obstacles like stairs and mirrors.

Potential adopting families are screened to ensure their decision to adopt a greyhound is the correct one for both the family and the greyhound. This includes completion of an adoption application, reference checks and signing an agreement that stipulates condition of pet ownership. The cost to adopt a greyhound is $175. This fee covers a complete medical evaluation, which includes a dental cleaning, all vaccinations, a heartworm check, worming, and the spaying or neutering of the greyhound.

In addition to the Adopt-A-Greyhound programs in operation the Wisconsin racetrack, Wisconsin kennel owners and trainers rely on numerous off-track adoption agencies to assist with the placement of greyhounds.  The Division of Gaming recognizes the important role these programs play in ensuring that greyhounds are placed with caring families when the greyhound's racing career is complete.

In an effort to assist in ensuring the quality and legitimacy of adoption programs utilized by Wisconsin kennel operators, the Division of Gaming requires each adoption program receiving greyhounds from Wisconsin to be approved and registered.  Once a completed registration application is received, the information will be reviewed by the Division's Adoption Coordinator and, if all registration requirements are successfully complied with, the adoption program will be added to the list of registered adoption programs available for use by Wisconsin kennel operators.

For additional information on adopting a greyhound in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin racetrack or click on the link below for a listing of registered adoption groups in your area.

Registered Greyhound Adoption Groups

Dairyland Greyhound Park
5522 104th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53144-7450
1(800) 233-3357

For an application or additional information on becoming a registered adoption program with the Wisconsin Division of Gaming please select one of the following:

Application for Registration of Adoption Program

Requirements for Off-Track Adoption Programs

To view the application above, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader  which can be found on Adobe's web site: http://www.adobe.com

If you have any questions regarding Racing information, please e-mail us at: RacingWeb@doa.state.wi.us