Greyhounds have become collateral damage in the live-baiting scandal, the RSPCA says, with the number of dogs being surrendered by owners increasing but adoptions falling.

Last month Four Corners aired confronting footage of racing dogs chasing piglets, rabbits and possums and mauling them to death during training.

A number of high-profile trainers were implicated in the report, and investigations into the culture and administration of the sport are being conducted around the country.

RSPCA Victoria's Allie Jalbert said shelters have been reporting a drop in the number of greyhound adoptions since the story broke.

"We're seeing a number of dogs surrendered or handed in and we're also seeing the public react with fear towards the breed, which is really unfortunate," Ms Jalbert said.

"The images that people saw on Four Corners are concerning but the dogs that you see on the streets, the dogs you see as pets, have been through temperament testing and are well behaved dogs."

The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP), an initiative run by Greyhound Racing Victoria to find homes for dogs no longer suitable for racing, has also experienced a drop in numbers.

But greyhound welfare manager Dr Linda Beer said it was unclear if it was a direct result of the the ABC program.

"Inquiries about adopting or fostering greyhounds through GAP have been down and new adoption applications are down around 40 per cent since the Four Corners program aired," Dr Beer said in a statement.

"However, completed adoptions are not down significantly in February and it is unclear as to whether these figures may be impacted as we move into March."

She said prior to the report the adoption program was "showing excellent growth".

"Adoption numbers are tracking at around 55 per cent up on the same time last year... so the general public are certainly realising what great pets greyhounds are and it's unfortunate they have been unfairly maligned following this program."

Mr Jalbert said despite the broadcast, greyhounds rarely showed aggression and made great pets.

"If you look at incidents with greyhounds, they're quite low," she said.

"Greyhounds are really the victims in this. They should be considered as a great pet, they're low maintenance... good with children, good with families.

"They're couch potatoes. They're very placid, gentle dogs.

"Greyhounds do not pose a risk to the public."

She said the drop in people's interest in greyhounds was a concern.

"Hopefully they go into adoption programs and we can get them re-homed, [but] the real fear is that the demand for greyhounds as pets will reduce," she said.