200 Rescues Specializing in Golden Retriever Adoption

Three Golden Retrievers lying on green grass

While the original Golden Retrievers country of origin is Scotland, these dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States for a reason: They’re friendly, intelligent, and make great companions.

Relatively large dogs, average height for a Golden Retriever is around 22 inches at the shoulder with an athletic build that makes Golden Retrievers good hunting dogs. In fact, if you were to ask “what were Golden Retrievers bred to do?” you would learn that they were bred to retrieve birds and other game for hunters!

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These breeds are known for their affection toward people and readiness to please their owners. They’re also very active, making them great exercise companions, and since the life span for Golden Retrievers is around 10-12 years, you’ll get plenty of time with your loving companion. If you’re looking for a dog that’ll make your life more enjoyable, a Golden Retriever is the perfect choice.

Golden Retrievers are bred in great numbers every year due to their popularity and demand, making them more available for adoption than ever before.

Unfortunately, many of these dogs end up at shelters and rescues because their owners can no longer care for them or breeders give them up due to lack of space.

If you’re interested in adopting a Golden Retriever, it’s important to look for a reputable organization to help you find the perfect dog for your home.

As a pet rescue advocate, I urge you to adopt, foster, or volunteer at local shelters for these animals.

I’ve handpicked four of the best Golden Retriever rescue groups and organizations for you to consider + scroll to the bottom where I’ve compiled 200 Golden Retriever adoption and shelter locations where you can find regular Goldens, English Cream Golden Retriever adoption, and resources for other labs and retriever mixes. 

1. Golden Endings Golden Retriever Rescue (Ohio)

Alt: tThree Golden Retrievers lying on green grass

Golden Endings Golden Retriever Rescue (GEGRR) is a well-known and highly respected rescue organization specializing in rescuing Golden Retrievers. This non-profit organization serves the central and southeastern parts of Ohio.

The organization was formed in response to the high number of homeless Golden Retrievers. Their mission is to find a permanent and suitable home for every dog they rescue.

People who work at Golden Endings are volunteers who’ve been involved with Golden Retrievers for many years and know a lot about the breed. They’re also experts in training, behavior modification, and providing enrichment for the dogs.

They rescue Retrievers from shelters, animal control officers, veterinarians, and owners who can’t care for the dogs. They also rescue strays.

Once you rescue a dog, you need to get it evaluated. This includes a physical and medical examination, such as heartworm tests. The dog is then spayed and placed on a preventative annual booster vaccination.

You also need to get an assessment of the dog’s personality and behavior. This helps determine if the animal is compatible with children or other pets. If a dog doesn’t pass this test, it gets extra help through obedience training.

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Golden Endings offers adoption services for both individuals and families. However, they have some guidelines for placing their dogs in adoptive homes. Some of these include:

  • Completion of an adoption application on their adoption page
  • Letting the dog live indoors and providing lots of love

What’s more, you must pay an adoption fee that varies depending on the dog’s age and needs. The fee helps the organization stay afloat by covering expenditures from when the dog was rescued.

This organization stands out because they always keep in touch with new owners, either through telephone calls or occasional visits.

2. Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary (West Virginia)

Golden Retriever adoption . A golden rolling on its back at the beach

Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Adoption and Sanctuary is a non-profit organization located in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. The organization specializes in rescuing Golden Retrievers and other dog breeds.

Carol Free and Ralph E.(Skip) Free, the founders, created the organization because they were passionate about assisting animals and wanted to build a place where they could live without being abandoned or abused.

Almost Heaven rescues Golden Retrievers (old, sick, young, and those with special needs) from shelters, other rescues, owner give-ups, and abandoned pups. The dogs remain in the sanctuary until they find adoptive owners or a perfect home.

In cases where an animal doesn’t get adopted, it can stay permanently at Almost Heaven Sanctuary.

All rescued dogs get spayed or neutered, tested for heartworm, and vaccinated to keep them healthy and prevent diseases.

Moreover, the dogs receive training and behavioral services, including teaching them to behave around other people and animals.

When adopting a dog from Almost Heaven, you need to complete an application, meet with one of the adoption counselors, and follow some guidelines set by the organization. For example, families with children under the age of 8 aren’t allowed to adopt their dogs.

Since the organization depends on grants, donations, and fundraising, they charge adoption fees to cover their expenses after rescuing the dog. Their minimum adoption fee ranges between $ 275–$ 650—young purebred Goldens and those graduating from obedience programs tend to cost more.

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3. As Good as Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois

Golden Retriever playing fetch

As Good as Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois is a membership-based, non-profit organization specializing in rescuing, caring, and adopting Golden Retrievers. The organization was founded in 2003 and has since helped save over 2,500 dogs.

A small team of volunteers runs the rescue and dedicates their time to helping dogs find their forever homes. The volunteers aim to move the pups into loving and caring homes to enjoy a happy, healthy life.

In addition to rescuing dogs and finding suitable homes for them, the volunteers also educate the general public about the needs of the dogs, including diet and exercises, medical treatment, neutering, and more.

As Good as Gold rescues Golden Retrievers from shelters, streets, and other rescue organizations. Once they rescue a dog, it undergoes a physical examination, heartworm test, gets spayed, and is given rabies and DHPP vaccinations before placement.

They also charge adoption fees, which help cover the costs of vet care, food, and other necessities for the animals. Their charges for a Golden Retrievers are as follows:

Adoption ProgramType or Age of a DogAmount
Special needs programDogs with special needs$200
Standard adoptionsDogs up to 7 years old$550
Golden years programDogs 8 years old and above$200

Like any other organization, As Good as Gold has policies that guide the Golden Retriever adoption process. They include:

  • No adoption by families with children under the age of 6
  • No adoption by anyone under the age of 23
  • No adoption by people whose dogs haven’t received consistent vet care
  • No dog training with devices such as shock collars, chain collars, prong collars, or choke chains
  • No adoption by families with an invisible fence unless they use other methods to control their pet while outside

4. Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary (California)

Golden Retriever lying on the grass

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Elverta, California. Since its inception in 2000, the organization has helped rescue, care for, and find homes for over 9,800 Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes.

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The sanctuary lies on 8 acres of the countryside, offering its dogs a peaceful environment where they can run, play, and train.

The volunteers at Homeward Bound work hard to provide their dogs with the best possible care. They ensure that each pooch gets its necessary shots, is spayed or neutered, and has a clean bill of health.

In addition to basic care, they also offer training and therapy services for dogs with behavioral issues.

They’ve also implemented programs that allow the dogs to be adopted into homes that give them the attention and love they need. These include:

Foster: Dogs and fosters are matched based on the dog’s personality, needs, and preferences. Fosters then have the opportunity to provide additional care and love to dogs who’ve been previously rescued from shelters or are awaiting adoption.

Golden training rule: Through training, the program aims to improve a dog’s interaction with its human family. It aids in the development of a balanced and respectful environment for the pet and the installation of good behavior in both the dog and the family.

Golden touch program: This senior-to-senior initiative helps find homes for retired Golden Retrievers by matching them with retired persons ( at least 60 years) who have limited income.

Sanctuary: This program focuses on unadopted dogs who have medical issues or are old. These dogs receive love, food, shelter, and medical care for the rest of their lives.

There are so many Golden Retrievers in need of homes. Instead of purchasing one of these cuddly pals from a breeder, why not adopt one?

Golden Retriever Adoption is one of the best ways to help dogs in need. Not only are these animals looking for a home due to overcrowding or lack of space in the sanctuary, but they also have some medical and behavioral problems that require attention.

Now that you know where to adopt these dogs, what are you waiting for? Adopt a Golden Retriever and help make a difference in the lives of these deserving dogs!

Here is a directory of ALL of the Golden Retriever Rescues. Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments.

Golden Retriever FAQs

Looking for more information on Golden Retrievers? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the breed. 

How much should a Golden Retriever weigh?

Adult Golden Retrievers should weigh between 55-75 lbs. 

How long do Golden Retrievers live?

Golden Retrievers have an average lifespan of around 10-12 years of age.

How long until Golden Retriever is full grown?

Golden Retrievers stop growing around 18 months of age. 

Are there black Golden Retrievers?

Yes! There are black Golden Retrievers, and they’re purebred!

Can You Shave Golden Retrievers?

No, you should not shave a Golden Retriever. Their fur is not designed to be shaved, and this can result in skin issues, hair regrowth issues, and more.

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