Please be prepared to adopt a dog at the time that you apply or when a dog is matched and ready for adoption. While we know that emergencies do come up, but please do not apply if you do not feel that you are ready to adopt at the time you are filling out the application.
Our volunteers work very hard and their “payment” is seeing a dog go into a loving home after the application process is completed. In addition, we cannot “hold” dogs for applicants. Our success depends on saving as many dogs as we can and we must move dogs ready for adoption as quickly as possible to make room for those on our waiting list.
Please make sure we serve your area before submitting an application.GRRMF serves these areas in Florida: Central Florida, Central - East Coast, Central - West Coast, Jacksonville/Northeast Florida. We do not cover South Florida areas. We do not adopt outside of the State of Florida. Please do not submit an application to GRRMF if you live in another state or one of the areas below.
The following rescues offer golden retrievers for adoption in areas of Florida that we don't cover:
For a state-by-state listing of Golden Retriever Rescues, visit the Golden Retriever Club of America's Rescue Committee Web site.
Application & Fees:
We feature TWO methods for applying to adopt a golden retriever from Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida:
- Online application (link below) – complete and submit online
- PDF application (link below) – print and fax or mail to:
GRRMF
PO Box 1449
Goldenrod FL 32733
FAX: 419-781-3538
PLEASE NOTE: If you mail a hardcopy application to our post office box, please be advised it can take up to 10 days for it to reach our adoption team. This is in addition to the 2 - 3 weeks to screen your application.
Application Fee: A $10 application fee is required to process your application to help defray postage, copying and phone costs. Fees can be paid via Paypal (link) or by sending a check payable to “GRRMF” to the address above. Application fees are nonrefundable and do not guarantee approval.
PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION!
Please print this page out for reference while
filling out your adoption application.
Adoption Fees for golden retrievers effective for applications submitted October 1, 2009 and beyond**:
- Dogs under 1 year $375
- Dogs 1-5 years $350
- Dogs 6-8 years $300
- Dogs 9-10 $150
- Dogs over 10, special needs dogs and mixes: fees set on a case by case basis
**We have found it necessary to raise the amount of our adoption fees after having some of the lowest fees of any golden retriever rescue group. We have tried to keep them low for as long as we could. But, we simply cannot keep up with our vet bills. This economy is affecting every one, especially the dogs. We are getting more sick and injured dogs. We are seeing more dogs infested with heartworms even though their owners could have easily prevented the disease with heartworm preventative. We are getting dogs that need surgery that people obviously cannot afford to cover, so the owners are just dumping them off at the pound or their vet. . GRRMF is a true rescue and helps the neediest dogs. But the cost of that is immense. Thank you for caring! |
Areas Served:
- GRRMF service areas in Florida : Central Florida, East Coast, West Coast, Jacksonville/Northeast Florida. We DO NOT serve Miami/Dade County/Keys or the Panhandle.
- Florida residents only!
Applying to Multiple Rescue Organizations:
- Please don't submit applications to multiple groups in the same coverage area. We are all staffed by volunteers whose time is precious, and there is considerable work involved in processing your application.
Fostering a GRRMF Golden
We are always in need of dedicated, caring folks to take displaced goldens into their homes and care for them while they get ready for their new lives. It is a very rewarding experience. If you would like more information about fostering, please visit these links:
Foster Applicants are not required to pay the application fee. The Adoption Process:
For quickest handling, use ONLINE APPLICATION or complete the hard copy PDF APPLICATION and FAX to (419) 781-3538.
- Please be patient. You will be contacted within 1-3 weeks regarding the status of your application. (Add mailing time if you use US Mail. Postage-due applications will be returned to sender.)
- If your application passes the first screening, you will be contacted for a home visit. Home visits are required for all applicants and do not guarantee adoption.
- If you are approved, you will be contacted by the GRRMF Adoption Coordinator for placement.
- Depending on your lifestyle, needs and characteristics desired, adoption can take an additional 2-4 weeks or more. Wait times are longer for families with children (see below) or special requirements such as specific age, coloring and gender.
- Goldens in our program are in private foster homes. GRRMF does NOT have a shelter facility, so there is no way to “view” a selection of available dogs, other than through our Web site.
- We appreciate your patience while we find a golden for your family. Please remember: We are all volunteers, with full-time jobs and families just like you.
- If you have a question on the status of your application, please email us at info@grrmf.org , or write us. We regret we do not have staff to return phone calls requesting the status of applications. We appreciate your patience as we are a 100% volunteer organization with no paid staff.
- Our adoption success rate of 99% proves that the time we take UP FRONT to match the right dog to the right family is well worth it! Because our dogs are in foster homes, we know a lot about their likes, dislikes, level of training, etc. This is something you will not get by adopting a puppy or from a shelter.
- Some applications are not approved. We take into consideration the special needs of rescue dogs and base decisions on information you provide in your application, so please be as thorough as possible. If you feel you have been rejected inappropriately and would like to be reconsidered, please send a letter via FAX or the PO Box address above.
If it doesn't work out: There is a 30-day return policy with full refund of your adoption fee.
If You Want a Young Dog:
- Young dogs (age 3 and under) are commonly given up to GRRMF. Why? They have had little training in their former home, they are rambunctious and unruly, they jump on the kids, they steal food off the counters, they dig holes in the yard and escape, they chew the furniture … the list goes on.
- Just like any other breed, golden retrievers don't learn how to become a good canine citizen all by themselves. They need direction and guidance on acceptable vs. unacceptable behavior. They need daily exercise to help them manage their overabundance of energy in the early years.
- PLEASE consider carefully whether you have the time and energy to make the commitment needed to raise a young golden retriever. If not, consider an adult or senior golden. You will be blessed with a lovely companion who doesn't take as much work.
- Obedience classes will be required for adoption of a young golden. You will be required to sign a legally binding waiver as a condition for adoption.
- A securely fenced yard is required for adoption of ALL young goldens. Because of the backyard dangers, GRRMF does not adopt to homes with invisible fences. Please read about the dangers of electronic fences.
- If you want a PUPPY under 6 months old: GRRMF does not get a lot of very young dogs into the program. If approved, you may have a wait to adopt a puppy. Contact the Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club – www.mfgrc.org – for their puppy referral service if you wish to purchase a golden retriever puppy.
If You Are a Senior - please read our policy for Senior Applicants.
If You Have Young Children:
- For safety reasons, GRRMF will only place dogs that have a known history of living with children in homes with young kids.
- We almost always have a waiting list for dogs that are good with children. The wait can be several months.
- A fenced yard is required for adoption to a family with children, so the dog and kids have a safe place to play together. Because of the dangers, GRRMF does not adopt to homes with invisible fences. Please read about the dangers of electronic fences.
- We prefer that children be 4 years or older , that the family has experience with large sporting dogs and understand the time required to take care of a golden retriever.
- Do both parents work full-time? Please consider if you have enough time in your already busy day to commit to owning a golden retriever – think of it as adopting another 2-year-old child!
- Why are we so concerned about families with kids? One of the top reasons dogs are turned in is because a busy family purchased a puppy for their kids and don't put any time into training or caring for the dog. When GRRMF is called, the dog has grown from a cute puppy into an 80-pound, overly rambunctious beast.
- Read more about children and dogs here. Please read the information on disadvantages of owning a golden on our website.
Cats:
- GRRMF cannot guarantee that dogs adopted from us will be compatible with cats.
- Goldens are a sporting breed, and many have a high prey instinct.
- If the foster home does not have cats, we are unable to determine how that dog will behave around cats.
- GRRMF will provide instructions for introducing a new dog to family cats, but is not responsible for adverse outcome including injury to your cat. It
is up to the adopter to exercise caution and good judgment to ensure safety of pets.
Seniors and Special Needs Dogs:
- Have you considered adopting a senior dog? GRRMF receives many dogs over age 7 each year, and our mission is to ensure these dogs live happy and healthy lives. Please read more about the benefits of adopting a senior golden.
- GRRMF also receives “special-needs” dogs, which may require medication for the rest of their lives. These dogs deserve to be taken care of for the rest of their lives, too! Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or seizure disorder are very manageable with low-cost, easy-to-administer daily medications. Others, such as hip dysplasia, may not require surgery but simply that the dog be kept on supplements to help its hips and joints. Medical conditions are fully evaluated by GRRMF veterinarians prior to being cleared for adoption.
- Adoption fees are reduced for seniors and special-needs dogs.
- Any medical conditions that occur AFTER adoption are the responsibility of the adopter. If for any reason, the owner cannot keep the dog, it must be returned to GRRMF.
Time to Get Started!
- We will begin processing your application when the application fee AND application are both received
- Pay $10 application fee via Paypal
OR
- If you cannot use Paypal, please mail a check to the address below:
GRRMF
PO Box 1449
Goldenrod FL 32733
Then Complete your Application
GRRMF
PO Box 1449
Goldenrod FL 32733
FAX: 419-781-3538
We look forward to receiving your application. Thank you very much for your interest in Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida, Inc.
Please print this page out for reference. |
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