Who can adopt a golden retriever?
We believe that every Golden Retriever deserves a loving, safe, permanent home with responsible pet owners, so we are looking for the very best of families for these dogs.
You are a good candidate for an adult golden retriever if:
· you are looking for a family companion. Goldens are people dogs. They like to be near their family members and they thrive on love and attention. If left without human companionship for long periods of time in or outdoors, goldens can and will get bored and bark, dig, chew, destroy things, or try to escape.
· you are prepared to spend some time in exercising, training and grooming a dog. Goldens are large dogs that need regular exercise and training to become the calm house pet that most people want. They are also a long coated breed and require regular grooming and care (brushing, ear cleaning, toenail trimming etc.).
· you aren’t a fastidious housekeeper. Goldens shed A LOT. Regular grooming will keep some of the hair under control, but you will always find some dog hair around the furniture, on your clothes and sometimes in your food! Goldens track dirt and mud into the house, and they have very powerful tails which can clear off a coffee table with ease.
· you don’t object to having your personal and household items carried around a Golden Retriever’s mouth. Goldens are retrievers and they like to carry laundry, toys, shoes, dishtowels etc in their mouths…sometimes at the most inopportune times!
· you aren’t looking for a guard dog. Goldens may bark when they hear someone at the door, but when it comes down to it, they are usually happy to see the visitors no matter who they are.
What kind of dogs are available?
Although most people think of stray or abandoned dogs as the only type that come through Golden Placement, this is not the only kind of dog in the GRCBC’s Golden Placement Program. Some dogs are being relinquished because of the family circumstances (lack of time, moving, a divorce, dog’s behaviour for example); other dogs come from Club members that have retired dogs, young adult dogs who have not proven suitable for showing or breeding, kennel reductions or dogs that have been returned to the breeders. We do also foster, evaluate and rehome stray goldens or those relinquished to animal shelters when the situation arises.
The dogs in the program have varied backgrounds, and when we are dealing directly with the owners we receive a profile for each dog to screen the dog for its health, temperament and behaviour. Where possible, we try to have a knowledgeable person assess the dog before we refer potential adoptive families to the dogs.
What is the cost involved?
The normal price range for adult dogs is between $100 and $700 depending on a variety of circumstances such as age, health, background or previous training. Because we are primarily a referral service between dog owners and potential adopters, the cost of the dog is usually left to the discretion of the current owner. Dogs in the custody of the GRCBC have an adoption fee (usually between $100 and $200) and this money goes towards the cost of helping to rehome these and other golden retrievers including providing necessary veterinary care, spaying or neutering.
How would I adopt an adult dog?
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Consent to a home visit in certain circumstances.
Contact the dog owners to whom we refer you (or the Foster Home if the dogs is in the GRCBC’s custody) and visit the dog.
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When you have decided on a dog, make arrangements with the current owner or the Foster Home for a transfer of ownership, including signing any adoption contracts if applicable and paying adopting fees.
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Sometimes, there are a number of dogs available for adoption, and at other times there aren't any at all. We will keep your name on file for six to nine months unless you reconfirm your interest in adopting an adult dog.
How long does it take to adopt a dog?
The waiting period can vary. Sometimes there are no goldens available and others times we may have two or three.
We do not operate on a first come-first served basis. We try to make the best match for the goldens and families. The waiting period will also depend on what you are looking for in a dog and a number of factors relating to your home and family.
For example, the most common request is for female goldens between the ages of 2 and 4. If this is what you are looking for, you may have to wait longer. Based on our experience, we receive more requests for re-homing males than females. Most of goldens we re-home fall into the 3 to 7 year range. Although, we do get puppies and seniors as well.
The more specific you are with regards to factors such as age, previous training, activity level, etc, it may take you longer to find a dog that falls within your expectations. In addition, factors specific to your family, such as other pets or children in the home, fenced yards, hours left alone, are taken into consideration and may limit the goldens suited to your family.
Adoption Fees
The fee for adopting through the GRCBC Golden Placement Referral Service is $50.00. If the GRCBC is currently fostering the dog, the fee will depend upon the costs associated in preparing the dog for re-homing (ie. spay/neuter, etc).
The fees we receive go into our Golden Care Fund that will help our Club to continue to provide referral services and care for Golden Retrievers needing new homes or help with health issues prior to re-homing.
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PLEASE NOTE:
- We will try to acknowledge applications received when an email address is provided. If you have no email address and would like confirmation of receipt of your application, please call the Golden Placement Coordinator at 250-382-3255.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee the adoption of a Golden Retriever through the Golden Placement Program.
Adopting a Golden - Rehoming a Golden - Available Goldens - Happy Endings
