Adopting A Golden Retriever

We require a nonrefundable $10 Application Fee to help defray our costs to process Adoption Applications. Submitting the Application Fee and Adoption Application doesn't guarantee you'll be able to adopt a Golden Retriever from GBGRR, nor does it guarantee that a specific Golden you may have seen on our web site is the one best suited for you and your family. We may use our experience and knowledge of the individual Goldens in our program to suggest a dog who will most likely to do well in your home.

● Goldens have an affectionate nature and do not do well as outside dogs. We require adopting families to keep their Golden in a climate-controlled home and not leave him/her outside when no one is home, at night, or during seasonally extreme hot or cold temperatures.

● Generally, we don't adopt to families with children under five (5) years of age. We only make exceptions to families that can demonstrate to our satisfaction that all children under 5 have lived with and successfully interacted with large dogs.

● We primarily serve Houston, TX and surrounding areas. We will occasionally consider out-of-area/state applications. However if you don't live near Houston, you must be prepared to travel here to visit a dog. If you adopt from GBGRR, you'll also need to arrange and pay for all expenses associated with transporting the Golden. Priority is generally given to local applicants. In those times when we receive a large number of local applications, we may be unable to accept out-of-area applications for the younger dogs which are in high demand.

● You must be at least 21 years of age to submit an application.

● All dogs in our program start out in foster care for a minimum of 14 days so that the foster family may identify and address any health or behavioral concerns. No visits will be arranged for a Golden until he/she has completed this evaluation period.

● Our adoption fee is $250.

● The adoption fees are used to defray a portion of our costs to care for the dogs in our program such as examinations, diagnostic tests, spay/neuter and other surgeries, vaccinations, heartworm and flea and tick protection, heartworm treatments, etc. Adoption fees cover less than half of our costs to care for the dogs, with the remainder being funded by donations, fundraising events and grants.

● As with any new pet, there will be a short adjustment period when your new Golden comes into your home. When you commit to an adoption, we expect that you will work with your new Golden and make a sincere effort to address any problems that may arise. We will do our best to help you and your Golden through any adjustments or problems. Occasionally, despite the best efforts of all involved, an adoption does not work out. In this case, the Golden must be returned to us. If the dog is returned within 14 days in the same or better condition it was in when adopted, the adoption fee (less any expense incurred by GBGRR in connection with the return of the dog) will be refunded. In all other cases, the adoption fee is non-refundable.

● You'll be expected to provide all necessary veterinary care for your adopted Golden, including an annual physical exam, vaccinations and heartworm test. Year round heartworm preventive is also required.

● Your adopted Golden may not be sold, transferred or given away (this includes to family members, friends or neighbors) without the prior written consent of GBGRR. If for any reason, you are unable to keep and properly care for your Golden, he/she must be returned to GBGRR.

Please review our Adoption Contract for more information. Submission of your application confirms that you have read and understood the Adoption Contract, and that you agree to follow our policies.

 Review Adoption Contract (PDF)

Our Adoption Process: What to Expect
Excited about adopting? It usually takes a week or two for your application to get approved. From there, we'll start working with you to find a Golden who might be the best match for your family. Here's what happens:

1. You'll start by first submitting the $10 Application Fee and then submitting an Adoption Application. Your Application Fee will be paid by credit card in a secure PayPal transaction (no PayPal account is required). Be sure to write down the PayPal receipt number as you will need to enter it on the Adoption Application.

2. You will get an email confirming that we've received your Adoption Application.

3. We'll review your application to confirm that you meet our basic adoption requirements, and assign your application to an Adoption Team volunteer.

4. We'll call your vet, personal references and - if you rent - your landlord.

5. Your Adoption Team volunteer will call you to chat about your dog experience and your expectations for your new Golden Retriever. We ask a lot of questions because we want to help you to find a dog who fits in wonderfully with your family.

6. We may opt to conduct a home visit, which is the last step in the approval process.

7. At this point, your Adoption Team volunteer may ask you to gather the family, review our website, and come up with a list of dogs you're most interested in meeting.

Meeting our Goldens

1. When you and your Adoption Team volunteer identify a possible match, your Adoption Team volunteer will check on the Golden's availability for visits.

2. If the Golden is available, the Adoption Team volunteer will call the foster family to discuss your application and confirm that you could be a good match.

3. If the foster agrees, we will give you the foster family's name and contact information so that you may arrange to visit the Golden.

4. Everyone in your household - including any other dogs - participates in meeting the Golden Retriever. Bring a leash because if all agree it's a good match (including the foster), you'll finalize the adoption and bring home your new Golden companion. If your new Golden is not quite ready to be adopted (for example, if he/she must first be treated for heartworms), you may give the foster family a $50 non-refundable check to hold the Golden until he/she is ready to become part of your family.

5. About 4 weeks after you've adopted, watch your email for your official adoption packet.   Also by regular mail you’ll receive the form to register your Golden's microchip ID.

6. Stay in touch! We love photos and updates on how our Golden Beginnings alumni and their families are doing. Come to our events, join our Facebook page... we'd love for you and your family to stay involved with Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue.

If you have any questions about adopting a Golden, please email us at adoption@gbgrr.org.

Submit your Adoption Application

	Click on the PayPal logo to the left to pay the $10 Application Fee. In order to avoid a delay in processing your application, be sure to retain the PayPal Receipt Number (a 16 digit number) and enter it in the first field of the Adoption Application.
	After submitting your Application Fee, click on the GBGRR Logo at the left to submit an Adoption Application