Adoption Procedures

Questions? Where to start? Please read this short FAQ first (read all the way to the bottom of the page please) and then let us know if you have any further questions or need any assistance - thanks!

We adopt in the state of Indiana.  If you reside in another state please check the following websites instead where you can search for golden retriever rescue organizations in your state or adjacent states that may have varying coverage areas. 

http://www.grca-nrc.org/Localrescues.htm 
or
http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/~laird/animal_rescue/breed_rescue_organizations

 Most rescues have websites and for those that don't there will probably be alternate contact information.  Good luck in your search for a golden companion!

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If you are an Indiana resident, there are several steps to adopting a Golden Retriever from GRRACE.

• To begin the process, you need to fill out an application. The adult wishing to adopt must fill out their own application themselves. At the bottom of this page you will find a link to our application form.  This can be downloaded and printed out.  After you finish filling out the application please mail it to the address on the application form or email it at any time.  If for some reason you are not able to print this out, please let us know and we can mail one to you. Applications will be reviewed and processed on a weekly basis. Once we approve your application, we will drop you a line via email,  if email is provided,  to let you know your application has been received and reviewed and is approved. Please be patient. We are all volunteers working from our homes and we do try to respond as soon as possible. Your application will remain active and on file for one year.  We will try to contact you via email sometime during that year to follow up as well. Please feel free to let us know if there are any changes during that time so we can update your records.

• After you have received the message confirming your application has been received and reviewed, please feel free to email the contact listed for available dogs on the available goldens page for further information. Also at any time, please feel free to contact us concerning the status of your application or available Goldens. Due to the number of applications we receive, it is not feasible for us to contact individual applicants about specific dogs on a regular basis.  For this reason, we depend on YOU to keep checking the website for available Goldens.  The list of available dogs changes frequently and we make changes to the listings often.  You will see for each Golden that is available for adoption a contact that you may write to so you can find out more about that particular dog and if it looks like there might be a potential match, you will then have an opportunity to meet the dog and talk more with the foster home.  This is the best and fastest way to get information about any given dog because the foster homes know the individual dog very well since they live in their homes as members of their families. This is also an opportunity for us to exchange information and get to know each other better so it can be decided if your family and the dog in question are possibly a match. Please keep in mind that our greatest priority is making the best possible match between an individual dog and an individual family and how long you have had your application on file is not an indicator of whether or not your family is the best match for a particular dog.  Different dogs will have different requirements; as an example - a great many will need a structural fence, some will have greater needs for exercise than others, some will be best off with another dog and for some it won't matter, some will do well with cats and some won't, etc. The point is, the dogs are just as individual as we humans are and our purpose is to find great families that are the best match for each of our dogs.  In some cases it is a tough decision and we try to keep everyone informed promptly. If it is determined that you are not the best match for a dog you inquire on, please keep checking the website in the future for other possible matches. 

• Once it looks like a good match has possibly been made and agreed upon by all parties, the final step before any adoption is made is a home visit where one of our volunteers will come to your home and discuss the process and the dog in question with you.  The home visit is not done until that time because it would not be feasible for us to do a home visit for each and every applicant or for each and every possible match. The home visit is a good opportunity for both you and your family and GRRACE to answer any remaining questions and talk about the process of bringing a new Golden into your family. We also do a veterinary reference check prior to the home visit so you may wish to tell your veterinarian to expect our call. 

• After a Golden has gone to his/her new home, follow-up phone calls and visits are scheduled to ensure that all is going well for both the Golden and his or her new family. After a two week period the adoption is considered final. The primary concern of GRRACE is the welfare of the Golden and we will work with families to ensure that everyone is happy and comfortable with the arrangements.  We strongly encourage you to contact us at any time if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, we are always glad to hear from our adoptive homes in the future with updates and we have success stories pages you are very welcome to contribute information about your new family member to!

• We do have families who adopt a second dog from us later.  There is typically a 6 month to a year waiting period before adopting another dog to the family.  This gives the first dog ample time to settle in and bond and become familiar with the routine of the family. We also have families who have adopted from us and later become Foster Homes for other GRRACE dogs so if you are interested in fostering at any time please let us know - we can always use the help! 

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While health guarantees cannot be given, all GRRACE placed dogs are current on shots, tested for heartworm and spay/neutered before being placed in a new home. If there are any known medical conditions, these conditions are fully disclosed to any potential adopters.

All Goldens are adopted on a two week trial period. If for any reason, the Golden does not work out in its new environment, the Golden can be returned to GRRACE for a full refund of the adoption fee during that period. Additionally, one of the terms of the adoption contract is that if you cannot keep your adopted GRRACE golden, for any reason, at any time in the future, the dog must be returned to GRRACE.

Should you have any comments or questions about GRRACE, or its adoption procedures, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be very happy to help answer your questions.

Please take a little time to read more helpful  information before you fill out your application. Thank you!

     Application  <<<-----Link to Application form here in Word format that you can
save to your hard drive and fill out. (If asked for a password, please select "Cancel")

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