Additional adoption info
Dear Prospective Golden Retriever Owner:
Thank you for inquiring about our Goldens available for adoption. GRR is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, active in central Texas. Our goals are to educate the public about responsible dog ownership, particularly with Golden Retrievers, and to place homeless Goldens in new, loving homes.
Please note: We cannot consider applicants outside the state of Texas due to the inability to complete the home visit portion of our interview process. We do not ship or transport dogs.
If you live outside the Central Texas (Austin) area and wish to work with us, you must be willing to drive to Austin or San Antonio to meet and adopt the dog. Also be aware that, in order to complete the application process, we must have volunteer resources near you. If you are outside the Austin or San Antonio area, please complete an online application and our Adoption Director will get in touch with you and let you know if we will be able to work with you. If you live in Houston, we recommend you first contact Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue . If you live in Dallas, we suggest you contact Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas or Dallas/Ft. Worth Metro Golden Retriever Rescue.
Our application process is designed to match dogs with the best possible homes in order to ensure a lifetime of happiness for both the dog and you, the owner. The first step in the adoption process is to read the policies below and then complete the application.
We spend a considerable amount of individual time and attention with each prospective owner. This is necessary to ensure prospective owners are both serious about the process and well prepared for the lifetime commitment they are about to make to their new family member.
Sincerely,
Gold Ribbon Rescue Board of Directors & Adoption Team
HOW GOLDENS FIND GRR
* Surrendered by owner
* Turned in by cooperating shelters
* Strays found by Good Samaritans
* GRR does not buy dogs, but we will pay reasonable shelter adoption fees
* GRR rarely gets puppies under 6 months of age
HOW GRR DOGS ARE PREPARED FOR ADOPTION
Examined by vet
* Vaccinations brought up to date
* Heath issues identified and treated
* Spayed or neutered if dog is old enough
Foster care for two weeks
* Temperament evaluated
* Activity level evaluated
* House training started
* Crate training started
* Basic obedience training started
FINDING THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU
What you should consider:
* Energy level
* Match for your lifestyle
* Male dog or a Female dog
* Desired personality
* Appropriate age for your family
* The more specific your requirements, the longer you will wait to be matched to the right dog
What GRR Matchmaker considers:
* Appropriate energy level for your family
* Dog matches your lifestyle
* Dog is age appropriate for your family
* Dog’s personality is appropriate for your family
* Compatibility of GRR dog with your family pets
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Ask Yourself:
* Do I really care about the color of my new Golden?
* Do I really care about the size of my new Golden?
* Do I really care about the specific appearance of my new Golden?
* If these things are important to you, then a rescue Golden may not be right for you.
VET CARE
All GRR dogs are:
* Brought up to date on vaccinations
* Heartworm tested, treated if necessary, and placed on heartworm preventative
* De-wormed
* Placed on flea and tick preventative
* Spayed or neutered if old enough (if dog is too young, new owners must have dog spayed/neutered at age 6 to 7 months at their expense)
* Evaluated and treated for other medical issues as necessary
AVERAGE COST OF CARE PER DOG
$160.00 - $400.00 depending on:
* Time of year (heartworm, flea, allergy season)
* Age of dog (puppies and seniors require more care)
* Spay/neuter needed
* Additional health issues requiring treatment
* Adoption fees are based upon the age of the dog
ADOPTION FEE
0 to 7 years of age $275.00,
Golden Gem 8 years of age and older $150.00 (though anything over will apply toward your membership)
APPLICATION AND ADOPTION PROCESS
* Complete on-line application
* Phone interview with a GRR volunteer
* Home visit with a GRR volunteer and his/her Golden
* Once approved, moved into the matching process
TIME LINE
* Application received
o Initial contact made by GRR volunteer via phone or e-mail will be made in approximately one week after receipt of your application.
o Interview is completed, and you will either move on to a home visit or the GRR Adoption Director will contact you with the results of your interview.
o Home Visit: a GRR volunteer will contact you within two to three weeks following your phone interview to schedule your home visit. ALL members of your family MUST be present at the home visit.
o When home visit is successfully completed, you will be contacted by the GRR Matchmaker within one to two weeks via e-mail or phone.
o After contact with the Matchmaker is made, it is impossible to estimate how long it will take to find the right Golden for you. Variables include:
+ Availability of foster homes
+ Numbers of dogs in care
+ Your specific requirements
WE MATCH DOGS TO ADOPTIVE HOMES BY TEMPERAMENT AND PERSONALITY. IF APPEARANCE IS A PRIMARY CONSIDERATION FOR YOU, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO REFER YOU TO PERSONS WHO CAN HELP YOU FIND A DOG WITH THE LOOK YOU WANT.
MEETING ADOPTABLE DOGS
Families qualified to meet adoptable dogs
* Completed adoption process and are approved
* Matched to appropriate dog by GRR Matchmaker
* Once Matchmaker and family discuss a particular dog, that dog is kept in reserve until the meet can take place.
o If meet is successful, dog is adopted
o If meet is not successful, dog goes back up for adoption
o If meet is unsuccessful Matchmaker will continue the search for a more appropriate dog for your family
* ALL family members (including family dogs) are required to attend the meet
AVAILABLE DOGS
* GRR DOES NOT guarantee the adoption of any specific dog requested or noted on the application
* GRR DOES NOT guarantee the availability of any dog seen on the website
REQUIREMENT FOR FORMALIZED TRAINING
We may require certain dogs to attend a formalized obedience class within four weeks of the adoption date. At the time of adoption we may request a $50.00 obedience course deposit. At completion of the obedience course, please send your Certificate of Completion to GRR and a refund will be mailed to you. A good obedience course could ensure the success of your adoption experience.
PURCHASING A PUPPY
The health and temperament of Goldens have suffered because of indiscriminate and irresponsible breeding practices. If you decide to purchase a puppy, we encourage you to research the breeder and avoid the pitfalls and dangers of backyard breeders and the puppy mills that flourish in Texas. Although GRR does not have a breeder referral service, we encourage you to read the “Thinking About a Puppy” section of our website. Referrals to the local Texas breed clubs are listed for your convenience.
Please read the information about Golden Retrievers, our organization and adoption procedures before completing your application to ensure your needs are compatible with our policies. If you are not certain about your decision to adopt a Golden Retriever and would like more information or education on the breed and/or our organization in general, please see the information pages listed on our Resources Page. Should you still desire more information, please send an e-mail to our Adoption Director or contact our hotline at (512) 659-GOLD and leave a message stating you need more information prior to beginning the application process. One of our volunteers will be happy to call you back.
Adoption Procedures
Please read carefully before filling out your adoption application:
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Submission of your application does not guarantee the adoption of a Golden Retriever from Gold Ribbon Rescue. Nor does it arbitrarily guarantee the adoption of any one specific dog the applicant may have seen (via website or newsletter) from GRR.
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All adoptions are given a 14 day trial period in which the Golden may be returned for any reason. If this occurs, your adoption fee will be returned, or another dog provided depending on your wishes, provided the dog is returned in the same or better condition as when he/she was adopted and that there is no evidence of neglect or intentional misconduct.
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Adoptive homes are approved by a formal interview process consisting of two phone interviews and a home visit to evaluate where the dog will live, play and exercise. This ensures we have made every attempt to place our Goldens in the best possible environment and that the prospective owner has been adequately educated and informed about the breed and the specific dog they are adopting.
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Dogs and owners are matched according to their personality, activity level and other characteristics. Every effort is made to ensure the right dog goes to the proper home, and that the home is prepared, educated and capable of caring for the dog.
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In the event an applicant requests a dog that we believe to be unsuitable for them, GRR reserves the right to offer the dog(s) we feel are most appropriate for the applicant and their individual needs. GRR will make every attempt to ensure the long-term happiness of both the dog and its human companions.
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Sometimes it may be necessary for the board to recommend that you seek other sources of adoption.
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Adoptive homes must agree to the following terms of adoption and must sign a contract with GRR at time of adoption agreeing to these terms.
The successful applicant will:
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Provide a loving, humane and safe environment for the Golden, which includes keeping the dog as an indoor house pet for the remainder of its life. The use of indoor crating is highly recommended to ensure the safety of the animal when alone or unsupervised.
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Provide obedience training for the dog to make it a happy, well-behaved canine citizen.
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Provide veterinary care including regular vaccinations, heartworm testing and preventative year round, and comply with all local laws regarding licensing.
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Provide a safe, fenced yard for the Golden to play and exercise in. (See "Why Do I Need A Fence?"). Exceptions to the fencing requirement are made on a case-by-case basis for Senior (age 8 or older) dogs. (See "Golden Gems" for more info on Seniors).
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Agree to keep the Golden contained and on a leash when outside a fenced area and not allow the dog to roam free at any time.
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Return the dog to GRR at any time if the owner is unable to keep the Golden for any reason or if lifestyle changes make the owner unable to maintain the above conditions for the dog.
