Rescue Program

What is rescue?

Unfortunately, there are occasionally Goldens in need of a new home. It is our experience that rescue dogs are often the most grateful and loving of companions, and blossom when placed into a new, stable, loving, PERMANENT home. Although they receive several referrals from shelters, most of these dogs turn out to not be Goldens at all.

These dogs most often come from homes where the owners’ lifestyle has changed…be it a new baby, a move, a job entailing travel, a divorce, a death in the family, an amazingly sudden onset of an allergy to dogs by some member of the family, or a sudden realization that this is, indeed a large breed that needs exercise, attention, love, training, grooming, and A JOB. Occasionally there are dogs taken into our rescue who come from homes where they were abandoned and/or abused. Some might come from local animal shelters where they’ve been lost, or from a puppy mill who has not found it hard to find a market for this particular breed. Others might come from a pet owner who had an “accident” when they didn’t realize that un-spayed Muffy was still in season, even after there were no signs. Sometimes, the Rescue Groups will be called upon to “rescue” a pet owner who decided to let Mabel “have JUST one litter,” to make a little money, teach the kids about the facts of life, or to satisfy some mythical paternal need to reproduce. Unfortunately for the dogs, the owners find that it is difficult to find good homes for these dogs; that no one really wants a poorly bred pet of questionable quality and no clearances, and raising a litter of puppies was a WHOLE lot more work, time, and money than they bargained for.

Adopting a Rescue Golden is an excellent idea for people looking for a new family member that is past the “cute little infant” stage of life. Active families with a large, well fenced yard, and whose children (if any) are old enough and mature enough to handle and care for a large dog, are the most successful homes. Most Goldens are great with children, however - not all children are good with dogs. They have dogs of all ages, sex, and physical condition come through the Rescue Program. These dogs often require extra patience, consistent training, and a firm but gentle and loving hand. Dogs that have been removed from what they perceive to be their family unit can indeed experience feelings of loss, mourning, and sadness. Fortunately, dogs are also amazingly resilient and adapt quickly to new conditions. The vast majority bond to their new family members readily and are the most loving and grateful of companions.

Even if a rescue dog does not come with registration papers, you can lobby the AKC for an “ILP Number” on your spayed/neutered dog, which would allow you to compete with the dog, and achieve titles on him/her in obedience, agility, hunting, and junior showmanship! A Rescue Golden needs and deserves at least as much care, attention, and love as a carefully bred and carefully chosen puppy you buy from a breeder. You should approach the adoption and expectations for the need for training a Rescue dog in the same way you would if you were adopting a puppy – regardless of the age of the dog you adopt. You will need to practice the same obedience training, socialization, housebreaking, grooming, health care, and feeding. An extra measure of empathy is helpful for helping a dog who is going through a stressful situation feel comfortable in his new surroundings.

How Can I Adopt a Rescue Golden?

Their sole interest is the what is in the long term best interest OF THE DOG, and placing each dog in the best possible permanent loving home. If you are interested in adopting a Rescue Golden, please contact one of the rescues listed below You will be asked to complete an application, asking you some very detailed questions (just as a responsible breeder would), about your family and housing situation; whether or not you have a FENCED yard, why you want a Golden, who will be home with the dog during the day, where the dog will be kept when you’re at work, on vacation, if you’re physically and financially able to care for the dog for the rest of its life, etc. You may be asked to meet with a local Golden Rescue Group member for an interview. Just as when buying from a responsible breeder, you will be required to sign a written contract in which you agree to provide a safe, loving home for the dog, and if – for any reason in the future – you find that you can no longer care for it, that you will return the dog to the Rescue Program. You can expect to be asked for a financial donation be made to the Rescue Program, to help defray the great costs incurred in this effort.

How to Help?

Financial Assistance

Rescues are run solely by a very small group of busy volunteers using only donations, financial help is critical to any Rescue Program’s success. Dogs who are brought into a Rescue Program are provided with veterinary care, medical expenses, spay/neutering, board, grooming, and foster homes. Most donations do not begin to cover the actual costs incurred. They GRATEFULLY accept donations in any amount from anyone wanting to contribute to helping us re-home these dogs in need. Please send your donations to the rescue of your choice.

Foster Families

Even if you are not in a position to permanently adopt a Golden, perhaps you could provide a temporary foster home? Our Rescue Groups need people all over the country who are willing to provide a loving temporary home for these Goldens for the short time until a new permanent home can be found.

Supplies and Services

Crates, collars, dishes, ex-pens, baby gates, veterinary services, transportation, evaluations and animal shelter visits?  ANYTHING you can do or provide to help them in their efforts is greatly appreciated.

Public Education

Most of all, please help out by telling anyone you know who is considering breeding dogs without the knowledge, experience, and commitment to the breed that is necessary to produce sound, birdie, "typey" dogs that meet all parts of the standard, to PLEASE reconsider.  And PLEASE spay or neuter your pets!

The Rescue Groups
  • Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace -If you are unable to find a rescue golden for your family in your area, this site has a page of links to the golden rescue organizations by state and region.
  • Dallas Fort Worth Metro Golden Retriever Rescue- DFWM-GRR- is a full service rescue based in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. We take care of Texas from Waco North. The president is Mary Meador, email address banna1@flash.net , 24 hour phone number (972) 516-5900
  • Golden Recovery Retrieving Retrievers Rescue Midwest -GRRRR
  • Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc. -
    • Texas-Hotline 281-480-4942 goldenresq@wcnet.net Golden Beginnings rescues and rehabilitates displaced or unwanted Golden Retrievers in the Houston, TX area. Priority is given to dogs in shelters. For more information, please visit our website.
  • Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.- LIGRR- Telephone: 516-578-3803  FAX: 631-427-9001   Address: 152 Plymouth Blvd., Smithtown, N.Y. 11787  sllefko@aol.com or llinz@nais.com  Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc. (LIGRR) is a non-profit organization operated exclusively by volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of life of Golden Retrievers who are neglected, abused, or abandoned. Services are also provided to owners who can no longer care for their Golden Retriever. It is our mission to provide veterinary care and loving adoptive homes for any Golden in need - no matter whether the dog is a young puppy or a senior citizen.
  • Canadian Golden Retriever Adoption Service-Telephone Number: (416) 657-2445 Fax:(905) 472-3830 Address: 5694-4 Hwy. 7 East, Box 162, Markham, ON, Canada L3P 1B4 E-Mail General Information: cangras@golden-rescue.net Adoption Information: adoption@golden-rescue.net General Store: shopping@golden-rescue.net Newsletter: guardian@golden-rescue.net Canadian Golden Retriever Adoption Service Inc. is a rescue and placement service, which finds good homes for abandoned and unwanted purebred Golden Retrievers. We are a non-profit organization, completely run by volunteers who are breeders and experienced fanciers. Our goals are to: Rescue abandoned, unwanted or neglected Golden Retrievers; Provide all necessary care, treatment, and rehabilitation: Assess the dogs for adoptability and find suitable homes for them; Inform the public about responsible dog ownership and provide information for making well-informed decisions about acquiring a canine companion.
  • Rescue A Golden of Arizona-RAGofAZ- RAGofAZ, email ragofaz@aol.com, is an all-volunteer, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to maintaining a rescue program for abandoned, mistreated or unwanted Golden Retrievers in the state of Arizona. RAGofAZ was incorporated as a 501(C)(3) on October 15, 1998. The membership has grown from an initial 15 members to over 200 supporters as of February 1, 2000. Over 170 Golden Retrievers have been rescued as of this date.
  • Old Gold Senior Dog Rescue  -gmanucia@home.com OGSDR rescues homeless dogs, typically Golden Retrievers, in the New Orleans, LA area. We will consider out-of-area adoption. Home visit, vet references, application, adoption fee required.
  • Golden Retriever Rescue of South Florida-Hotline # is 954-741-0989, Golden Retriever Rescue of South Florida is a voluntary  tax-exempt organization , which is dedicated to providing veterinary care, comprehensive evaluation and adoptive homes to Golden Retrievers who are abandoned, mistreated, neglected or left in pounds throughout Southern Florida. Rescue services are also provided to  Goldens in acute need of placement due to compelling family circumstances. GRRSF also provides education for the community regarding good breeding practices and the care of the purebred golden retriever.
  • Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue-located in Knoxville , TN but has members that help work the state as far as Nashville & Memphis as well as Asheville, NC.
  • Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte-Based in Charlotte, but will service Asheville & even into Northern SC.
  • Golden Endings Golden Retriever Rescue.  Janet Ambrose. 740/992-3354. megawatt99@hotmail.com We rescue abused, abandoned, unwanted Goldens. We rescue from pounds, owner surrenders, busted puppy mills, wherever and whenever a Golden is in trouble. I am vice-president and a primary foster home. We spay/neuter, all shots, heartworm test and preventive started, or treatment for positive test. We micro-chip. Also any surgery required-torsion etc. Our prospective adopters fill out a 2 page application, 2 phone interviews, and at least 1 face to face. We will always take the dog back if for some reason the adoption does not work out.
  • TROPICAL DAWG RESCUE OF BOCA RATON FLORIDA-Neglected, stray and abandoned golden retrievers in the south Florida area
  • Everglades Golden Retriever Club Rescue-email Jill Cornell -We are a nonprofit association located in South Florida. We serve Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County. If you know of any Goldens who need to be rescued, please let us know! We provide shelter, veterinary care, and evaluations for unwanted, homeless, stray, or abandoned Golden Retrievers. We then place the healthy rescued dogs in permanent loving homes Contact us to adopt a dog, turn in a dog, or volunteer to help us. 954-749-0479 or e mail goldream@bellsouth.net or MyDenNero@aol.com.
  • Midlands Golden Rescue, serves South Carolina from the midlands area contact:  Mary Williams PO Box 3545 Columbia, SC 29230-3545 
  •  Florence Mattice-Contact : (406) 846-1454  OfMattiaci@aol.com-member GRCA. Golden and Kuvasz rescue in Montana since 1992.
  • Retrieve A Golden Of Minnesota or RAGOM- We are a non-profit Golden Rescue group covering MN, WI, IA, ND & SD.-email rescue@ragom.org
  • With A Golden Spirit, Inc. (WAGS) golden retriever rescue in southwestern Pennsylvania email address mdinvest@concentric.net
  • Golden Retriever Club of San Diego County Rescue Service -contacts: Susan Burrows 619-449-1991 Jeannette Poling 619-445-9216 e-mail: GRCSD@aol.com Area: San Diego County, California Full Service and Referral Rescue
  • Companion Golden Retriever Rescue-Companion Golden Retriever Rescue works to find new homes for loving Goldens in the intermountain west. We work with dogs from shelters and those given up by their previous owners. Willing to place dogs out of our area when possible, all dogs are altered before placement and brought up to date on shots. Contact Launi at utgoldenrescue@aol.com, telephone 435-245-4452, or see our website.
  • Golden Retriever Rescue and Adoption of Needy Dogs, Inc (GRRAND)-Golden Retriever Rescue and Adoption of Needy Dogs  takes in abused and abandoned golden retrievers, provides medical care when necessary, and finds adoptive homes for them. Last year we placed a total of 129 dogs - including a litter of 9 gorgeous puppies. In the past 5 years we have taken in 500 dogs, provided medical care for them and placed them in temporary foster homes until we could find the perfect loving family to adopt them. This is a very labor-intensive job that requires a significant budget for all of the veterinary care, food, and general pet needs. We are staffed by an all-volunteer group that represents a membership that started as a small group of 8 and has progressively grown to a new level of approximately 400 people. All of our funding comes from charitable donations and contributions. GRRAND is a non-profit organization registered with the state of Kentucky.
  • Heartland Golden Retriever Rescue-Contact: Pauline Stevens (865/483-4087) cotswold@esper.com Alternate: Susie Stooksbury sstooks@ispchannel.com Heartland - helping homeless and displaced Goldens from Tennessee, SW Virginia, SE Kentucky, NE Alabama relocate to permanent loving homes all over the country.Heartland's website also has a very special page for Seniors and Special Needs Goldens looking to be adopted. Click on the golden heart to meet their special golden oldies. 
  • Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue-For all of the New England states there's Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, hotline 978 568-9700, There's a list of other Golden rescue groups on their site at http://www.ygrr.org/otherorg.htm
  • Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida , Inc
  • Golden Retriever Rescue In Nebraska Inc.-GRRIN
  • Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies
  • Arizona Golden Retriever Connection (AZGRC) to the listing of golden retriever rescue groups. AZGRC a non-profit, all volunteer organization which is a full service rescue for golden retrievers covering the state of Arizona. AZGRC accepts abandoned, stray, or unwanted golden retrievers and places them in loving permanent homes. For more more information, call 602-870-0037 or email info@azgoldenretrieverconnection.org. 

     


Please me if you know of any rescue organizations that should be listed here.

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