Golden Retrievers are loving companions and make great family pets.  They do however require a considerable amount of daily exercise, mental stimulation and attention from their people.  Without proper exercise and human engagement Goldens may exhibit behavior problems.

Goldens are wicked smart and are therefore excellent obedience candidates and can be easily trained if you work with them.  Training is a must and a key to successful and responsible dog ownership.  GRIN requires adopters to follow through with formal training for all young dogs to ensure a successful and happy adoption.  GRIN only supports positive training methods.  Negative or punishment training methods are obsolete and harmful to dogs long-term.
Golden Retrievers are predisposed to several conditions including ear infections, hot spots, allergies and excessive shedding.  It is important to consider these conditions along with regular annual vet expenses including vaccinations, heartworm testing/prevention and grooming when making the decision regarding this breed.

It is important to do your breed research before considering a dog to ensure you select a breed that best meets the needs and lifestyle of your family.  For more information on this breed please visit www.akc.org.

Can you explain the adoption matching process? Do I get to pick my own dog?  

We carefully look at the needs of the dog as well as the needs and wants of the adopter and work hard to ensure the adoption is a good fit for both.

A lot of variables go into the process.  We consider the needs of the dog, their age, likes, dislikes, background, etc.  Does the dog need a fence?  Does the dog have a prey drive?  Is it good with cats or other dogs?  Is there a history of experience with children?  Are there behaviors that require an experienced adopter?  

We review the adopter's requirements; what age or sex they are interested in, activity level and lifestyle. What do they plan to do with the dog?  Agility, therapy, a running mate or are they just looking for a couch potato?  Do they have other pets or children? 

We take all of that into consideration and attempt to make a match that is right for all.  Keep in mind the website description of our dogs is only a brief synopsis and does not contain detailed information about the dog's personality or needs.  Our goal is to have a happy outcome for all!

Once I have been approved to adopted and matched to a dog, how do I meet the dog?

You will travel to the foster home, along with all of the members of your household, including any current dogs, for the meet and greet. GRIN has foster home across our service area so depending on where you live you may have to travel.  Please refer to the Adoption Process section of the website for more information on the process and to view our service area maps.

I have previously adopted from GRIN, do I need to fill out an application or can I use my old application?

If your application is over 1 year old we would ask that you complete a new application to ensure we have the most current information on file about you and your household.

Does GRIN require a fence?

GRIN does require a fence for all does under 6 years of age. This rule was implemented after a number of incidents that put the safety of our dogs at risk. Some dogs come to us as strays or frightened and can be a flight risk. The fence must be a traditional fence that is at least 4 feet in height or GRIN approved invisible fence brand name such as Invisible Fence, Petsafe, Pittsburgh Pet Fence and Doglok. If an invisible fence, we require a training package to be purchased to formally train the dog on the fence. At this time wireless fences, such as Halo and RadioFence are not approved. GRIN requires the invisible fence to have static boundaries that cannot be modified or moved. 

Why are the adoption fees so much higher than shelters?

Each and every dog coming into GRIN’s care receives a thorough medical exam by our veterinarian partner.  Below is a list of the standard procedures and care provided during the initial visit:

• Complete physical exam
• Spay/neuter if needed
• Dental exam and cleaning if needed
• Bath/nail trim/ear cleaning
• 4 DX heartworm test (includes Test for HW, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Lyme)
• Heartworm/flea preventative
• LPS2 blood test
• Urinalysis/Fecal exam
• Range of motion test
• Microchipping

Some dogs require more extensive medical care and intervention such as orthopedic surgeries, heartworm treatment, specialty consultations, etc.   

GRIN spends an average of over $1,600 on each dog.

I only want a puppy, do you get puppies?

From time to time we do have rescued puppies available for adoption.  If you are only interested in adopting a puppy, you can submit your application and be placed on a waiting list.  Don’t wait until you see one on the website as it will likely be too late.

How long is the wait for a dog?

GRIN does have a waiting list of approved adopters.  We do not however operate on a first come first serve basis. We carefully match our Goldens with their forever homes based on the needs of both the dogs and the adopters. The application process takes 2 to 6 weeks.  Then, we begin the matching process.

Can I visit your facility to see your adoptable dogs?

GRIN does not have a facility. We are a network of volunteers and foster homes scattered throughout NE OH and Western PA.

I’m not a GRIN member, can I still volunteer?

We are always looking for volunteers to help with fundraising, fostering, transporting and other activities.  In ordered to be covered under our insurance policy, all volunteers and fosters must be members of GRIN.  Membership applications are on the website under the support tab and can be paid using the PayPal function.  Once you become a member, you can contact our volunteer coordinator to find out what you can do to help.

Where do your adoptable dogs come from?

Rescued Goldens come from local shelters, are owner relinquished or from puppy mills.

I’m not in your adoption territory, will you make an exception?

Unfortunately, we are limited to where we have volunteers to support our activities. GRIN’s adoption process includes a home visit, and we must remain in the area in which our home visit volunteers are willing to travel. For a Golden rescue in your area, please visit grrnetwork.com for a list of Golden Retriever rescues by state

Are all of your dogs fostered?  Why do some featured dogs have available for adoption dates and some do not?

Yes, with few exceptions, all of our Goldens go to foster homes for a minimum of two weeks in order to gain temperament information.  The “available for adoption” date is when the dog completes its foster period and will be available for adoption.

Dogs that are listed as “on hold” may be with a trainer for evaluation or basic training or under medical care or treatment. 

Why are some dogs listed on your website as available for adoption for a long time?

In most cases we do not have an approved applicant that matches the needs of the dog. GRIN will not deny any Golden it rescues a chance at a happy home.

What is FTA or foster to adopt?

In some instances, GRIN will place a dog in a foster to adopt home. This means GRIN has an approved adopter who is asked to “foster” for the two week “get to know you” period with the understanding they are likely to adopt that dog.

Why is your application process so lengthy?

The information gathered during our application process is valuable as it provides crucial information about your family and lifestyle that assist GRIN in making solid adoption matches.  It is important the match we make be good for both the dog and the family. Additionally, we are an all-volunteer group.

Is GRIN looking for foster homes?

Yes, we are always looking for foster homes.  Foster homes provide our Goldens the great start they need on their way to new lives. These homes provide the love, care, training and confidence that will help a dog adjust to a new environment.  Without foster homes we are limited in the number of Goldens we can take into our program.  Fostering is an extremely fulfilling opportunity and yes it is sad when they go but what joy it brings to know what a difference you made in that dog’s life.

Why is your foster application the same as your adoption application?

Many of our foster families adopt their foster dogs so the process is the same.

Why haven’t I been contacted for my phone interview or home visit yet?

GRIN is a 100% volunteer organization. We are all volunteers and have jobs, families and outside commitments. If you feel your application has gone too long without contact, please visit our contact information section and reach out to the applications team. 

How do I surrender a Golden to GRIN?

At GRIN we understand it may not always be possible for owners to provide for their pets in dire situations.  Divorce, finances, illness, death, job loss, allergies and time management are just some of the life changes that factor into a decision to surrender a dog.  As gut wrenching as it can be, surrendering a dog is always the right solution and we are here to support you. 

For information on how to surrender a dog, please visit the “Surrender” tab on the GRIN website for additional information.

If I chose to surrender my dog, what can I expect?

GRIN’s intake volunteers will contact you to discuss the dog and make arrangements to take ownership of the dog. The dog will then be seen by GRIN’s vet partner for a medical examination and to receive any needed medical care. After the vet visit, GRIN will move the dog to a foster home where he/she will stay for a minimum of 2 weeks. After the foster period, GRIN will begin matching the dog to an appropriate adoptive family.

GRIN goes to great lengths to screen potential adoption candidates to ensure our dogs are placed with loving and responsible pet owners.  Our process includes an application, phone interview, vet check and if all of that goes well, a home visit.  We match dogs to potential adopters that best meet the needs of the dog to ensure a good placement.    

Why is GRIN involved in rescuing international dogs?

Occasionally GRIN is asked why we are helping to rescue international dogs when there are dogs right here in our area that need to be rescued.  That is a great question and we want to be clear about our mission.  Our first priority is to help dogs in our immediate area, be it from shelters, puppy mills or owner relinquishments.   Over the past year however GRIN’s intake of dogs has been extremely low. 

Given the low volume of dogs during this recent season, GRIN has made the decision to join forces with other Golden Retriever rescues nationally to help Goldens in need in various parts of the world.  Most recently those Goldens who were destined for the meat market trade in China.   

Our ability to rescue these dogs depends on volunteers and funds.  Our volunteers work diligently to fundraise so that we can continue to assist with this mission.  To take these dogs into our care, GRIN must be in a position to cover all transportation costs in addition to other expenses including medical care.  

When it comes to Goldens who need our help, Love Knows No Borders

OUR MISSION:

GRIN's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixes in need. We are committed to helping dogs that come to our organization whether it is via shelters, puppy mills, breeder relinquishments, strays, or owner surrenders. Our rescue efforts focus on helping local dogs, but also international dogs when possible. We are a fully volunteer run organization that is dedicated to saving as many dogs as we can; where every dollar raised goes to ensuring our rescues have the medical care and training necessary to ultimately result in a successful adoption. We are a passionate group of dog lovers that strive to educate the community on responsible dog ownership & dog advocacy. 

GET TO KNOW GRIN:

Golden Retrievers in Need Rescue Service, Inc., also known as GRIN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in 1992 by a group of Golden Retriever enthusiasts who recognized the need to find good homes for the countless Golden Retrievers euthanized each year for lack of a loving home. Thirty years later we are proud to continue the work they began.

The number of unwanted Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixes is staggering. These dogs come from local shelters, dog wardens, strays, owner relinquishments, and puppy mills or backyard breeders. At the forefront, GRIN’s focus is to rescue local dogs within our service area, but when there are resources and space to rescue internationally GRIN has stepped up to the challenge. To date GRIN has rescued Golden Retrievers from Turkey and China with the help of other partner rescues. A majority of our rescues are purebred Golden Retrievers, we get everything from senior dogs, to pregnant dogs, puppies that didn’t sell in time, and retired breeding dogs. We do also welcome dogs that are Golden Retriever mixes to our rescue, with a majority of these dogs being doodles (golden retriever, poodle mixes) due to their increasing demand and over breeding, these dogs are more and more prominent in rescue. There is an overwhelming amount of dogs that come to GRIN from puppy mills in Ohio, puppy mills/backyard breeders are dog breeders that place profits over the health and happiness of the dogs, these dogs are bred irresponsibly, a majority with health issues contributing to the overpopulation of unwanted dogs. Ohio has over 600 puppy mills, at GRIN not only are we devoted to saving dogs from these cruel places but also place importance on educating about puppy mills and backyard breeders. 

For three decades GRIN has been supported by a community of dog lovers who are also passionate about saving dogs that deserve a second chance. At the core of GRIN’s success is our foster homes, GRIN  doesn’t have a kennel or facility to house the dogs, all of our rescues are in foster homes. Without our foster homes we can not save dogs, so they are of the utmost importance to us and we are thankful for all of those who have answered the call for help. 

GRIN services counties in Northeast Ohio, Central Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, our service area is dependent on vet partners and volunteers. As these resources grow and expand, the service area has the potential to grow too, a closer look at this service area can be found in the map below. GRIN has a strong presence on social media where we keep our followers updated on the work that we do, currently we are on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, give us a like or a follow! 

Each year continues to bring challenges as there is an increasing demand for rescuing Golden Retrievers but the GRIN family is committed to being there to provide the love and care needed for each dog that has come into our care.  We continue to welcome dogs that in many cases require extensive medical care beyond the typical spay/neuter and vaccinations.  Additionally, a number of the dogs coming into our care have behavior issues, which require professional behaviorists and trainers to bring these dogs to their full potential and adoptability. 

On average GRIN spends over $1,400 per dog & to date GRIN has placed over 4,500 Goldens in their forever homes.  GRIN is proud of the work we do each year, both in caring for our GRIN dogs and in maintaining a top-quality rescue organization. We remain grateful to our loyal membership, volunteers and supporters who make all of this possible.