The NCWFA places on average 10 rescue whippets a year, and every one has a unique story. Scroll down to see some of our past rescues and read a bit about them!

Some NCWFA Rescue Success Stories

"Layla" 1/10. Pretty five-year old Layla has a special story. " My mother has had Alzheimer's for a while. With my mom's memory fading fast, she was not caring for her beloved whippet the way she had ever since she got Layla 5 years ago. With the help of her assisted living residence and her dog walker, Layla's needs were met, but just barely. We knew it would be soon that we would have to take Layla away, and we dreaded this moment, for, since my dad's death, my mom's whippet was her life. When my mom took a turn for the worst, and was admitted into the hospital for a long-term stay, we took in Layla. We like dogs, but are not really dog people. We enjoyed our time with Layla, but I wanted to find a home for her with dog people. I wanted to find her a home where she would be walked regularly, loved and well cared for. I inquired with my friends, but found nobody who was interested. A friend from work recommended the Whippet Rescue organization. I contacted them soon after. Every person from the organization I emailed and talked with (Guin, Kellee, and Brad) was friendly, caring and knowledgeable. In less than a month, the perfect home was found for Layla. Layla's new owners are good people. I liked them immediately, when we first met. They are taking wonderful care of her; walking her regularly, taking her to dog parks, incorporating her into their family, showering her with love. I was also delighted that they have another whippet, and so now Layla has a companion. They even have a little girl in second grade, and Layla had become very attached to my own girl in second grade. How perfect is that? Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! If my mom was aware of what was going on, she would be thrilled. Sincerely, Carol Joy Lutz" Layla is happy in Alameda, with the Cantley family.

"Jackie" 1/10. Yearling Jackie came into our rescue when his elderly owner could no longer care for him. This cute red brindle whippet captivated his foster mom, Patti, with his enthusiastic, if not always sensible ways. This happy-go-lucky, fun, fun, fun puppy guy found his perfect match with Matthew and Jeannette in Richmond, and their pack of super sighthounds. Jackie now has IG siblings, as well as a twin whippet 'sister', and he is living the good life, with lots of fun times and runs on the beach!

"Mickey" 11/09. Mickey and his sister Mini-Molly were left at the Reno Humane Society by their owner. Once we were able to spring them, they showed us that here were some really fine whippets, who just needed some TLC in order to shine. Mickey now lives in Redwood City, with long-time whippet lover Ron Bogdanoff and family, and is doing wonderfully as King of the Couch!

"Mini-Molly" 11-09. Mini-Molly and her brother Mickey had to endure a tough patch in life when their owner left them at the Reno Humane Society. We were able to spring this dynamic duo and they quickly blossomed into wonderful, sweet, and loving whippets, who just needed a little training and TLC in order for them to be perfect companions. Mini-Molly, who is certainly one of the cutest whippet's we've ever seen, is enjoying life on long-time whippet fanciers John and Jean Gay's horse ranch in Clear Lake.

"Wesley" 9/09. Three year old Wesley first came to our attention when we saw the listing for this gorgeous hound on Craigslist. His owners had lost their home and neded to find him a new place to live. We offered our services, however, they had already found him what they thought was the perfect situation. Unfortunately, Wes and his new home did not work out, so we ended up with him a few months later. This super-sized whippet was about as close to the perfect dog as we see around here; well-trained, sweet, quiet, lovely with children and all animals, but he did have one glaring 'issue', which had made him a bit of a tough sell. Wesley had never met any scrap of food he did not love, and he would go to any length to get it - meaning he was the world's most accomplished counter surfer. No food was safe around this fawn and white 'eatanista'. Thankfully, his forever owners, Mark and Sheena, are up to the challenges of living with this world champion food hunter. Wes is living the good life in the East Bay, dieting, and turing his fine tuned food seekgin brain to other pursuits.

"Luca" 9/09. Six year old Luca was a striking former show dog, who had to find a new home after he began a conflict with his older whippet housemate. Luca was a very intelligent whippet, in fact, so smart that he could easily take over any home that was not equally smart and in charge. This incredible guy is happy in his forever home with the wonderful Santiago family of Pacifica, who have worked very hard to continue the socialization of this challenging, but very rewarding whippet, and have given him the most important job of being the best family dog.

"Mr. Willow" 5/09. Mr. Willow was abandoned along a road in rural Hanford, CA. The local shelter had no idea that what they had in Mr. W was a whippet and thanks to some hard work by a network of sighthound fanciers we were able to pick him up. Obviously very old and incredibly underweight at 22 pounds, Mr. Willow sported dull eyes, a dry coat, and many tumors, large and small, all over his emaciated body. It was hard to imagine him living through the ride home from the shelter, much less any one wanting to adopt this pathetic creature. Mr, W was surprisingly resiliant, and when he wasn't enjoying a sunspot, he was eating. After a week with foster mom Denise, fate intervened and brought Mr. Willow and long-time fancier Donna together at a race meet. Donna took this sad old man home and Mr. Willow began to enjoy the life ever senior whippet deserves, with home cooked meals, soft beds, respectful doggie pals, and lots of good loving. We don't know how long this ultra senior whippet will be with us, but he is enjoying TLC with Donna every day.

"Winston" 4/09. Winston was found tied up outside a Sonoma County animal shelter, apparently a victim of the foreclosure crisis. Winston was approximately eight years young, and was pretty much a perfect boy; sweet, calm and cuddly, kind and respectful of other dogs, other creatures and children. When Winston met Simone and her toy poodle pal Isadora it was love at first sight. The trio resides happily in Sausalito, CA,where Winston's classic good looks draw oohs and aahs everywhere he goes. Winston is a cool dude!

Miso Meechelle 2/09. Miso Meechelle was picked up as a stray by the Sacramento shelter. This gorgeous eight year old girl was a dyed-in-the wool escape artist, who could jump a six foot fence without batting an eye. To our knowledge, Miso had been in at least four homes before we got her. It was sad that she was not returned to her loving breeders when her original owners did not want her anymore, instead of being passed around. After giving her foster moms Dee and Melina a heart attack by demonstrating her fence jumping skills, we found Miso Meechelle the perfect home in Folsom with Cynthia and family. She even gets to share the couch with her whippet cousin!

"Savannah" 2/09. Savannah (FKA Joplin) was on death row at the Redding shelter when she was saved by a kind local whippet fancier. Were we surprised when we went to pick her up and discovered that she was what we lovingly refer to as a whippet plus (for whippet plus something not whippet!). Savannah quickly charmed us all with her fun loving whippet-y ways, her talent for burrowing under the covers, and that true sighthound bounce, proving that the whippet portion of her heritage was quite dominant. Savannah worked her magic on first time whippet owners Kota and Robin and Chi pal Piglet and is wrapping all around her little paw in Richmond, CA.

"Jack Sprat" 9/08. Jack was tearfully offered up to our rescue by his loving owner, who could no longer care for him in the way she knew he should be cared for. Handsome, three year old Jack set off a bit of a frenzy within the ranks of our foster homes, as everyone wanted to be the one to foster this neat guy. Kellee Livingston won, and she really did get the prize, as Jack was the foster who stayed, and is now making life delightful for Kellee and her clan on a permanent basis. Jack is proving his versatility by excelling at lure coursing and obedience, as well as being an all-around great house pet!

"Patch" 1/09. Patch, a glamourous five year old boy, was surrendered to us, the victim of a divorce and a move out of the country by his owner. Patch ended up as the permanent companion of 'failed foster home' Helen, and is enjoying the good life in San Francisco, where he holds down his end of the couch, eats bon-bons and watches Lifetime with whippet pal, Pie.

"Stella" 10/07. Puppy girl Stella came to us when her her owner could not keep her contained on her unfenced horse property. Stella charmed all who met her, with her hellbent-for-leather whippet puppy zoomies and her snugglebuggedness. Stella lives in Hayward, the companion of long-time whippet owner Barbara, and continues to conquer the world with her charismatic whippet charm - and those ears!

"Desmond" 4/07. Desmond (FKA Eddie), a pretty eight month old whippet boy, was left at a Sierra veterinary office when his owners could not pay for treatment for his shattered leg. The clinic called us, and thanks to the hospital and the NCWFA's own Dr. Erin Campbell, his leg was set and repaired and he spent several nerve-wracking weeks of crate rest. After his leg healed he went back to the Sierras, this time as the new companion to a long-time whippet fancier, who is enjoying keeping up with his energetic puppy hijinks.

"Nick & Nora"

5/08. Nick and Nora came to us when their owner, who had lived with this bonded brother-sister duo since they were seven weeks of age, had to move into dog-free housing for financial reasons. Nick and Nora were very attached to each other and we did not want them separated if possible. It can be hard to place multiple dogs together, but NCWFA members Lynne and Lynn, who had always just had one dog at a time, came through and decided to see if they were cut out for owning a pair. N & N and L & L made beautiful music together right from the start. Just weeks after the pair arrived tragedy struck when Nick fell victim to a life threatening liver ailment. Through great medical care and lots of TLC, Nick miraculoulsy made it and is fully recovered and keeping his sister in line in El Sobrante, CA.

3/07. Harris had a sad story before he came to us. He nipped a child in his former home and was living in a muzzle, segregated from the family. Sad no longer, Harris is living the sweet life in Palm Springs, with Paul, his partner, and his whippet gal pal, enjoying desert living and a muzzle-free existence.

2/07. Pablo, a two year old male, came into rescue when his school teacher owner was working long hours. Pablo was very unhappy about being home for 12 hours a day alone and he showed his stress by destroying his owner's apartment. Pablo needed a special home, that would give him love and structure, and get him over his separation anxiety induced destruction. Gaye Tate and her three whippet girls, on their farm in the high desert, proved to be the perfect match for nervous Pablo. He spends his days sunning, chasing the girls, and herding llamas (seriously!). Nervous no longer, Pablo is one laid back dude.

2005. Darby, a three year old brindle male, was reputed to be a mean dog, who 'hated' men. None of this proved true upon meeting this delightful hound, who is sweet and gentle and likes all, even men. He went to foster for a time with Justine and David in Alameda, CA, and they became members of the 'failed fosterers' club, when Darby wormed his way into their hearts and stayed.

2007. Tiger-striped teenage Reese, came to us, suffering from severe separation anxiety. Reese could not even be left alone for a few minutes without tearing his environs to shreds. Could we place a whippet with this severe of an issue? Thanks to the hard work of his foster home, NCWFA'ers Debbie and Kelsey, who worked for months to get him through the worst of his anxiety, Reese improved enough to go to a forever home with Becca in Santa Cruz. Becca owns a dog rehabilitation center, and Reese is the office manager, greeting clients and supervising appointments.

11/07. The Three Amigos came all the way from the Arizona desert, where they had been in police custody, evidence in a drug case. They were reputed to be Italian Greyhounds, but when Barb of IG Rescue got them out of their crates after their long journey, it was obvious that they were whippets (or at least mostly so), so they came to us. The Amigos had been living semi-feral while in AZ and they required several months of TLC and training with their foster mother "Saint" Gail Reig. Mike (the parti colored one) is living the good life in Oakland with first-time whippet owners Erwin and Eleni, while Jet and Luie (the black ones) are enjoying country living in El Dorado Hills. These boys have had to overcome a lot in their short lives, but they are thriving. Viva Los Amigos!

9/05. Bunny was dumped at the Modesto shelter, a 12 year old + senior lady who truly deserved better in her golden years. Blind in one eye, deaf, and tottery, this petite whippet had an iron will that belied her frail frame. Proving that one must not judge a book by its cover, Bunny won the hearts of her three foster homes, through her incredible toughness and true charisma. She really hit the jackpot when she went to her forever home with Dina and Rob and whippet Koda in Foster City, CA. They catered to "Super" Bunny's every whim, and gave this old girl all the soft beds and tuna sandwiches she could ask for. Sadly, Bunny passed away from an insulinoma, but she left a legacy that much younger and 'more desirable' dogs can only dream to aspire to.