NCWFA began their independent Whippet Rescue program in 1977. This was probably the first organized whippet rescue program in the US. The NCWFA usually placed between four and fifteen whippets every year through our Rescue Program. Below we feature a selection of some of our notable Rescue Success Stories from 2008 - 2022.
Gallery of Past NCWFA Whippet Rescue Dogs
Finn
2/2021 - Finn [FKA Phantom] is the largest of The Lake County Three. A trio of two-year-old handsome fawn guys whose breeder/owner could no longer care for them, the Three all found great homes in 2021. Finn is enjoying country living in Saratoga with Charlie and Jennifer & he is amusing his new family with his toy-hogging antics every day.
Eddy
2/2021 - Eddy [FKA Fonzie] is one of three two-year-old brothers whose breeder-owner could no longer care for. Ed hit the jackpot & is living in San Jose with Richard and Linda & whippet lady Sophie & is a nautical whippet - often spending his weekends at the marina.
Lily
4/2020 - Lily & Violette came from the East Coast along with their owner, who passed away shortly after arriving for end of life care with family in Sacramento. These lovely senior ladies, who needed to be rehomed together, as they had been inseparable since eight weeks of age, found a wonderful retirement paradise at a Sierra mountaintop retreat with Les & Rodney.
Brewster
1/2020 - Brewster was purchased from a shady Craigslist ad and was nursed back to health by Francesca, who intended to keep him forever. Unfortunately, big Brewster, who is Baby Huey in a whippet suit, ran over her teeny chihuahua, and had to find a home with a more appropriately sized companion. He landed with Lynne Park and the incredible IW Pearl, who is big enough to hold her own with Baby Huey. Brewster is loving life up in the Sierras!
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Otis
2/2021 - Otis is another of the Lake County Three - two-year-old brothers whose breeder/owner could no longer care for them. Happy Otis lives in Redwood City with Ron & Bettina & whippet pals Leah & Leo. Otis is Ron & Bettina's third NCWFA rescue!
Patrick
9/2020 - Patrick is a much loved eight-year-old former show boy who was in conflict with another whippet guy in his home. He went to live in SF Whippet Haven with Lynn and whippet lady Tori. Patrick promenades daily at Alamo Square & often enjoys a latte along Fillmore St after his stroll.
Violette
4/2020 - Lily & Violette came from the East Coast along with their owner, who passed away shortly after arriving for end of life care with family in Sacramento. These lovely senior ladies, who needed to be rehomed together, as they had been inseparable since eight weeks of age, found a wonderful retirement paradise at a Sierra mountaintop retreat with Les & Rodney.
Enzo
10/19 - Enzo was an owner-surrender to the Sacramento shelter. Estimated to be at least 15 years old, emaciated, and with rotten teeth, Enzo looked to be just a few days away from death when Deb Dennis sprung him from the shelter. Due to some amazingly dedicated vet work and a super job of theraputic feeding, Enzo is now up several pounds and is a happy elderly whippet. As you can see, Enzo loves his comforts & he demands breakfast in bed every morning! Enzo passed away after six months of love with Deb & clan.
Brodie |
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HERMIONE
7/18 - Hermione is a wonderful 14-years-young Lady who is blind. H came into Rescue when her life companion Marvin had to go into hospice care and could not keep his beloved hounds. After a month in foster care with Denise, Hermione went to live with the equally wonderful Judy (and Gus the Havanese) in Livermore, where she and Judy share a beautiful bond of love. Hermione enjoys slow walks and nosework but she loves her crunchies most of all! Hermione passed in 2019. |
7/18 - Brodie is the other of Marvin's whippets. A youthful nine, Brodie is a super sweet guy. He lives with Kristen and has homes in SF & Berkeley to lounge in - he is a champion lounger!
Brodie passed in 2019. |
Lady Bug
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2/18. Lady Bug was the last of the Redding Hoarder/Puppy Mill dude's breeding stock. Confiscated from his property early in 2018, Lady Bug came to SF to foster with Gaelen & Adam, who own her mother Cricket. This feisty little blonde then went to live with six-time Rescue owner Helen in SF, where LB is arranging the world to her specifications.
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Divo
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10/17. Divo was a long-term project for Foster family Marrianne & Robert. They cared for this wonderful senior gentleman for over nine months, treating and managing his many health issues until he was adopted by long-time GH people, the Feledy's, where he has two Grey sisters and lots of love in San Carlos.
We are sad to say that Divo passed away from his heslth issues in July 2018. He was the best whippet ever! |
Geordie
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Xena
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Rusty
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Dua
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Jacob
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Dash
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Cricket (FKA Cassy)
Vem
1/14. Vem came to Rescue when his life-long family decided they did not wish to keep their pet when their human baby arrived. Seven year old Vem hit the jackpot when he fostered with Ani & her whippet pal Boo in San Francisco. This charming little whippet became the foster who stayed and now he enjoys homes in both SF and Sacramento and the best life a whippet could have.
Karma
1/13. Karma was turned in to a Sacramento vet office by someone who found her on the street as a stray. This yearling bitch was a headstrong lass, who needed some time in foster care in order to learn how to be a good citizen and how to share and play well with others. She evenually came to rest in the East Bay with a wonderful family, with children (whom she loves) and a long history with whippets.
Jagger
6/12. Jagger was picked up as a stray in Reno. This super handsome and smart whippet now lives the good life in the Gold Country with Wanda & Mike. Jagger is a rollin' stone no longer now that he has found his forever home!
Barkley
9/11. Barkley was found by a Good Samaritan wandering in downtown Palo Alto. He had obviously been on the road for sometime, as he was quite thin and looked like he had been living rough. After neutering, treatment for giradia, and fattening up, Barkley went to live the good life in Oakland, with Mike and a kitty pal. Barkley was a whippet star on Instagram and an all-around neat dog.
Barkley passed in 2018. Harry Potter
6/11. Harry Potter came out of the Reno NV shelter as a stray. This strapping young male quickly proved to be fully trained and a delight. He is living the life of reilly up in Grass Valley with long-time fanciers Betty & Earl Stites, hiking, swimming, and keeping everyone amused with his antics. The "Whippet of Prodigious Size" is truly a character! Harry passed away in early 2020 & leaves a huge [Harry sized] hole in the hearts of his owners.
Jackie
2/10. This fun-loving and energetic yearling came to Rescue when his elderly owner could no longer care for him. Jackie's motto is "Boys Just Wanna Have Fun" and he needed a home that could give him the activity, playtime and structure he needed to become a super adult whippet. He found just the thing in Jeannette and Matthew's home in Richmond, where he spends his days with his human family, a twin whippet sister, a Silken brother,and a passel of fun Iggy siblings. Ths dog really has the best life!
Wes the Wonder Whippet
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 Myers, are up to the challenges of living with this world champion food hunter. Wes is living the good life with Mark, Sheena, two human and one whippet brother on an Army tour of the South & Southwest, dieting, and turning his fine tuned food seeking brain to child care and being the breed ambassador on the base. Wes passed away in 2017 & was much loved and will be missed by the Myers family
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!
Winston passed away at over 17 years of age! Harris
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. Sadly, Harris passed away in March 2010 from a splenic tumor. He was a wonderful dog who got a great second chance at life with his rescue parents.
The Three Amigos
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! |
Lexington
Cali
4/13. Calli was a stray who wandered into a yard in Linden CA, complete with her coat on. Despite our best efforts, her owners were not found, and Calli was adopted by Helen Hultman in San Francisco. Helen is four-time NCWFA rescue adopter and she and Calli, along with whippet brother Patch are happy as clams in the City.
Nick & Nora
3/13. Nick and Nora, a mature brother/sister pair, came into rescue twice in their lives. First as yearlings, when their owner became homeless, and then again as seniors when their loving owners, both NCWFA members, passed away. Nick and Nora (who a pictured above teasing their foster brother Niko) are living a wonderful life in Napa, enjoying ranch living.
Koda
4/13. Skoda, now known as Koda, was surrendered to our rescue by his young family, who just did not have time for him. Koda now lives in the East Bay, hikes with his family and his whippet roomie Tony, and is generally an all-around great dog.
Bentley & Aston
1/12 & 5/10 & 6/17. Adorable puppy-guy Bentley came to us when his former owner left him for a short time with a whippet-loving neighbor. That short time turned into months and he came into rescue. Bentley found a great home in Pacifica with the Santiago family, who also share their lives with Aston, another rescue boy. Aston was one of a trio of yearlings surrendered by their breeder in 2010. Aston has really come out of his shell and now living with Bentley is a constant party for these two young whippets! In 2017, A & B went to live with three-time rescuers Wanda & Mike Kruger when their people moved to a location where they could not bring the Boyz. This adorable pair are loving country life in Lindsborg KS!
Sweet Shilo
9/11. Two-year old Shilo came to rescue after his young owner, overwhelmed with small children and life on a Bolinas rabbit farm, decided he needed to find a new home. Sweet Shilo seemed to be tailor made for his forever home, living in Napa with Caryl Norman and her whippet loving clan.
Darla
8/10. Beautiful and regal nine-year-old Darla came to us when her owners could no longer care for her and her 'sister' Daisy. It was quickly ascertained that these two Hawiian Girls would be better off in separate homes where they could blossom into the Island flowers they were meant to be. Darla found her perfect spot with Roberta and family in San Jose. This brindle beauty is enjoying retirement living, with a houseful of love and human, canine, and feline companionship. Darla passed away in 2014.
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. Mr. W passed away in July 2010, after enjoying the best life for the past year. Thank you to Donna for making his last year so special, full of warmth and love.
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!
Pablo
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.
The Divine Miss "B"
9/05. Bunny was dumped in the night-bin 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 two years after her adoption, but she left a legacy that much younger and 'more desirable' dogs can only dream to aspire to.
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