Once greyhounds leave the racetrack, some of them find themselves in need of a comfy couch to sleep on.
That's where Greyhounds As Pets NSW (GAPNSW) steps in to lend a helping hand.
GAPNSW also offers people the chance to foster greyhounds who are waiting for their forever homes.
Sutherland's Sean Spence and his family decided to get a taste of dog ownership through the organisation's foster care program.
"I have two kids in their early teens and I grew up with dogs, so we were interested in having an animal in the house. However, my wife was a bit reticent as she was a bit afraid of dogs, so we looked into fostering," he said.
"We decided to give it a go, and it wasn't long after that that my wife suddenly became a huge fan of dogs.
"We work closely with every dog we have had, and we do fall in love with everyone, but it's nice to see when they go off to live with their new family."
Mr Spence said greyhounds were unlike any other dogs.
"I think they are amazing - a fantastic family pet," he said.
"And I am really impressed with the support we have received from GAPNSW.
"They are always there when we need them."
Mr Spence said fostering hounds was a rewarding experience, particularly their current foster named Bundy.
"You feel like you're doing something really good for the dogs, and you get to watch them learn and grow," he said.
"It is the most rewarding thing you could do.
"The worst thing that could possibly happen is that you end up falling in love with the dog, and you end up keeping it - so there is no downside."
GAPNSW, a not-for-profit initiative coordinated by Greyhound Racing NSW, helps retired or surrendered hounds to find their perfect human family members.
And that is exactly what they did for Macquarie Fields resident Madeline Osbourne.
Ms Osbourne was living overseas last year, and when she returned home, she was looking for a four-legged companion to keep her company while working from home.
"I really wanted a dog - I was looking to rescue a small dog, but at a lot of rescues, the dogs most in need are the big ones," she said.
"However, a lot of those big dogs weren't suitable for me as I have an intellectually disabled brother who was afraid of dogs.
"And that's when I came across greyhounds."
Ms Osbourne said since adopting her hound, Pepito, he and her brother had become the best of friends.
"They are peaceful and placid dogs," she said.
"He is the best dog ever - they say you have to teach them to be pets, but he has taken to it really well.
"I can take him to barbecues with friends because he is so friendly."
Ms Osbourne said greyhounds made ideal pets.
"Pepito is the easiest dog I have ever looked after," she said.
"He doesn't get that doggie smell, he only needs two short walks a day and he is really lazy."
Warwick Farm resident Craig McCarthy knows all too well how lazy greyhounds can be.
Mr McCarthy adopted his first hound more than 10 years ago.
"I had one for over 10 years, but he passed away, and after a few months without one, I missed that friendly face when you come home from work, so that's when I went to meet Cooper," he said.
"I met Cooper through GAPNSW and he was perfect, so I decided to bring him home."
Mr McCathy said GAPNSW was great at pairing dogs with humans that complement one another.
"They are such easy dogs to maintain, they are easygoing, they love their walks, but then they are happy just to sleep all day," he said.
"They love to just lay around on the lounge."
The next Greyhounds As Pets Adoption Day takes place at Kellyville Pets from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, May 29.
This adoption event will feature colour-coded greyhounds to help singles, couples and families of all ages find their 'paw-fect' match - based on lifestyle, the home and the dog's needs.
To choose your favourite Greyhound before the event send your name, email address and phone number to gap@grnsw.com.au to receive an application form.
For more information, visit: http://www.gapnsw.com.au
