Are the dogs spayed or neutered?
Yes, in most cases they are spayed or neutered before they go to their new home.
Do we have dogs available for adoption now?
If we have dogs in foster homes, we will look first to the approved homes on our waiting list to place these dogs. Most dogs are placed this way.
Do we require a fenced yard?
No, but we do require that the adopter has a plan for safely pottying and exercising the dog. It does take longer to adopt a dog if the applicant does not have a fenced yard because we will only call them on a dog that we feel certain will not run away and therefore will work in an unfenced home.
Do we require a home visit?
Most of the time we do and this is usually done before you go to meet a dog. We prefer that the entire family is home for the visit.
Do your dogs stay in foster homes?
Most of our dogs stay in foster homes anywhere from a week to several weeks. During this time the foster home assesses the dogs temperament and behavior to help determine the best home for the dog. The dogs are also vetted during this time. Foster homes also work with the dog on basic issues like inside manners, house breaking and leash walking.
How long does it take to adopt a dog?
This depends on several things including the type of dog you are looking for (age, gender, behavior), how long you are gone during the day and how long our waiting list is. We never know if the next dog we are going to take in is 2 or 10 yrs old. Currently, the waiting list is very short so it is possible to get a call on a dog within a couple weeks.
How many dogs do we place each year?
60-70 dogs
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
$300 for most dogs. Puppies under 7 months are more and seniors (9yr+) are less.
I have heard that Golden Retrievers make wonderful pets. How can I learn if a Golden is the right dog for me?
We think Golden’s are the best but they are not the right dog for everyone. Click here, for a good article about the pros and cons of owning a Golden Retriever. We also talk about this on our “How to Adopt” page.
I work so I am gone all day. Does that affect my adopting a dog?
Absolutely! We would recommend you get a middle-aged or older dog who will be content to be home, alone for 8-10 hours every day and will not destroy your house in the process. A young dog would not work out well.
If I turn down a dog will that take me off the list?
No, unless we feel that a Rescue Golden is not the best choice for you. If your requirements are too specific, we might recommend that you work with a breeder instead. If you do not respond in a timely manner to see a dog and do not communicate with us, then we will not be able to work with you.
Is it OK if my dog is kept outside during the day while I am at work?
No, most Golden’s do not like to be outside alone and some will dig and become destructive out of boredom or escape the yard to find someone to be with. It is safer if the dog is inside. If you are worried that they will chew up things inside, confine them to an area or in a crate.
We have children. Does that make a difference?
Yes, we do adopt to families with children but we do recommend an older dog with very small children. We also will only place a dog that we know is good with children in a home with children.
What is the application process?
After we receive your application, we will send you our Dear Applicant letter and another article about Golden Retrievers by e-mail. Within a week of receiving the e-mail, a volunteer will call to interview you in an effort to get to know you and your situation better and what type of dog would work best for you. Your name is then placed in a database from which we work when we match up adopters to dogs.
What process occurs in placing a dog?
When we have a dog to place, we look for an applicant on our waiting list whose requirements are the best match for that dog. If 2 applicants look like equally good matches, we call the applicant who has been waiting the longest. We only call 1 person at a time about a dog.
What vet care has the dog received?
Most of our dogs are examined by one of several veterinarians who see most of our dogs and any necessary care provided. If the dog was seen within the past 6 months by his previous veterinarian, then we may not have him seen again. All dogs are up to date on their vaccinations when they are adopted.
Where do our dogs come from?
Most come from owners who give them up for various reasons, the most common being no time or moving. A small percent come from local shelters.
Where might I have to go to see a dog?
We have foster homes all over western Washington state from Olympia to Bellingham, in Seattle and the eastside and on the Peninsula. You might be called on a dog being fostered in any of these locations.
Why do so few come from shelters?
Most Golden’s at shelters are adopted directly from the shelter. Since we are a Rescue group, we take a dog when requested by the shelter. This typically happens when the dog comes down with Kennel Cough or is showing signs of stress from being at the shelter. Sometimes there is a behavioral issue that the shelter feels we can better deal with. Sometimes when we know of a Golden at a shelter, we will refer one of our applicants to the shelter to consider adopting the dog.
Why do we not post most of our available dogs on our website?
Since we are fortunate to have a waiting list of people wanting to adopt a dog, we work with these pre-approved adopters first. If we do not have a suitable adopter on our waiting list, then we will post the dog on our webpage or Petfinder and consider people who apply to adopt that particular dog.