Please read carefully before you apply.
Please read the following adoption policies in full, then confirm you understand before starting the application.
Already started or submitted an application? Get your link by email
Please read carefully prior to submitting an adoption application. Please know that it is never first come, first served for our rescue dogs. We choose the best fit for each rescue dog. Sometimes it may take several weeks for us to get back to you after you've completed the application. Priority is typically given to existing approved applicants. IDGRR tries to place our rescues as close to where they are being surrendered as possible. We are a tiny rescue serving a huge geographical area. Please be patient with us. Currently accepting applications from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming.
Our process is currently as follows. When your application goes from fee paid/pending to under review, this is the very first step in moving forward to a possible phone interview with an adoption coordinator. We MAY invite you to a phone interview via text or email. If the phone interview goes well, IDGRR will approve your application. This means that you MAY then receive an invite to meet a rescue dog that we think MAY be a good fit for everyone. This does NOT mean that you are approved for any particular dog or an actual adoption. And, if that meeting goes well and you have another dog(s), we will then schedule a neutral site to introduce the dogs. Next, a home visit will be required via video and both personal and vet references will be called.
This process takes a great deal of time. We only have one full time staff person. Our entire board of directors is all volunteer. Please have patience with our process. If we see any discouraging or negative comments on social media or via email or text to us, your application will automatically be declined. Our process has proven very effective as we have had very few rescues returned to us in our program.
Submitting the adoption application does not guarantee you'll be able to adopt a Golden Retriever from IDGRR, nor does it guarantee that a specific Golden you may have seen on our website or social media is the one best suited for you and your family. We may use our experience and knowledge of the individual Goldens in our program to suggest a dog who will be most likely to do well in your home.
Goldens have an affectionate nature and do not do well as outside dogs. We require adopting families to keep their Golden in a climate-controlled home and not leave him/her outside when no one is home, at night, or during seasonally extreme hot or cold temperatures.
For the safety of our dogs, we require a secure fenced yard for adoptive families. Exceptions to the fencing policy are occasionally made for rural homes, mature dogs and on a case-by-case basis depending on the needs of the individual dog.
We do not typically adopt to families with children under six (6) years of age.
We primarily serve Idaho. We will consider out-of-state applications. We have placed our rescues in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Utah. We are based in Boise. We have board members throughout the state of Idaho, as well as in northern Utah. If you don't live near Boise, you must be prepared to travel here to visit a dog. If you adopt from IDGRR you'll also need to arrange and pay for all expenses associated with transporting the Golden. Priority is generally given to approved applicants as close to where the rescue is surrendered as possible. In those times when we receive a large number of local applications, we may be unable to accept out-of-area applications for the younger dogs which are in higher demand.
You must be at least 22 years of age to adopt, and at least 25 years of age to foster. Foster families are given the option of adopting a rescue first.
We prefer to not adopt to college students. College life does not provide the stable home environment that we want for our dogs.
All dogs in our program ideally start out in IDGRR foster care for a minimum of 3 days so that we may identify and address any health or behavioral concerns. No visits will be arranged for a Golden until he/she has completed this evaluation period.
We require a non-refundable $25 application fee to help defray our costs to process adoption applications.
Our non-refundable adoption fees vary from $375 - $800.
Senior and military discounts are available. Scholarships may also be available. Please ask.
The adoption fees are used to defray a portion of our costs to care for the dogs in our program such as examinations, diagnostic tests, spay/neuter and other surgeries, vaccinations, transport costs, transfer fees, flea and tick protection, etc. Adoption fees cover less than half of our costs to care for the dogs, with the remainder being funded by donations, fundraising events and grants.
As with any new pet, there will be a short adjustment period when your new Golden comes into your home. When you commit to an adoption, we expect that you will work with your new Golden and make a sincere effort to address any problems that may arise. We will do our best to help you and your Golden through any adjustments or problems. The 3 day, 3 week, 3 month rescue rule is tried and true.
Occasionally, despite the best efforts of all involved, an adoption does not work out. In this case, the Golden must be returned to us, in Boise. The adoption fee is non-refundable.
You'll be expected to provide all necessary veterinary care for your adopted Golden, including an annual physical exam and vaccinations.
Your adopted Golden may not be sold, transferred or given away (this includes to family members, friends or neighbors) without the prior written consent of IDGRR. If for any reason, you are unable to keep and properly care for your Golden, he/she must be returned to IDGRR, at your expense.
By submitting an application, you are recognizing and agreeing to these terms.