Surrender a Golden
IDGRR accepts purebred Golden Retrievers and the occasional Golden mix with that special "Golden" personality. We're here to help.
Start Surrender ApplicationFound a Stray Golden?
If you have found a lost or stray Golden, email our intake coordinator or send us a message with the details. A volunteer will get back to you to offer assistance.
Owner Surrenders
A difficult decision, made a little easier — with no judgment, and a lifetime commitment to your dog.
We at IDGRR know that turning in your Golden or Golden Mix may be a difficult decision. We are fully committed to making this process as professional as possible and will work diligently at placing your dog with a caring and loving family.
Unfortunately, some families are unable to keep their Goldens for a variety of reasons. When that happens, we try to be there to help make the separation a little easier for all concerned. We realize that this is a very difficult and personal decision to make, and we do not judge you for it.
Once your Golden is in our program, he or she will be placed in a foster home with a loving family. IDGRR will provide any training that may be necessary, as well as treatment for any medical issues that should arise. All Goldens in our program are treated with love, affection, gentleness, and encouragement. You can be assured that IDGRR has always maintained a lifetime commitment to all of our dogs.
All of our adopters are carefully screened to make sure that they have taken excellent care of any current and past pets. We realize that every dog is unique and we take great care to find the perfect match between your dog's personality and the lifestyle of the adopting family.
What to Expect
Confidential
All information you share is kept strictly private.
Personal Support
Our Intake Coordinator will personally follow up with you.
Safe Placement
Every adopter is thoroughly screened with interviews, vet references and home visits.
How to Start the Process
We typically have a long waiting list of approved adopters — all thoroughly screened to ensure they can provide a safe, stable, healthy, and happy environment for your dog.
To begin, you can submit a surrender application or reach the Intake Coordinator through our Contact Us form.
We'll ask preliminary questions by phone. If your dog seems like a good candidate, we'll set up an appointment to meet you and the dog at your home or the veterinary hospital that cares for our dogs.
At the Intake Appointment
We will ask you to:
- Provide a copy of your Golden's vet records, if available. If not, please share the veterinarian's name and address where the dog received care.
- Complete a form giving us additional information about the Golden and signing the animal over to IDGRR for legal purposes.
- Consider making a donation to IDGRR, if financially able, to help defray the costs of vetting your Golden while in our care. As a non-profit organization, we greatly appreciate any assistance you are able to provide.
All dogs are evaluated for temperament and obvious physical problems before being taken into the program. In most cases the appointment takes approximately 15–20 minutes.
Dog Surrender Policy
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Surrender Agreement. You must complete and sign our surrender agreement form, providing detailed and honest information about the dog's health, behavior, and history.
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Dog Bite Policy. If the dog has a history of biting or aggressive behavior, you must disclose this information at the time of surrender. Failure to disclose known bite history may result in legal consequences.
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3
Transfer of Ownership. By surrendering your dog to IDGRR, you relinquish all ownership rights. The dog will become the property of our organization, and you will no longer have any claim to the dog.
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Finality of Surrender. The decision to surrender a dog to IDGRR is final. Once surrendered, IDGRR has full authority to make decisions in the best interest of the dog, including medical care, training, and placement in a new home.
You'll review and sign this policy as part of the surrender application.
Why Choose IDGRR?
While we know there are other options for finding a home for your Golden, IDGRR has had a strong system in place since 1993 for providing up-to-date care for your Golden, for fully evaluating our prospective adopters through interviews, vet references, and home visits, and for providing follow-up assessment post-adoption to ensure that the Golden and family are well-suited and happy.
We look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance for entrusting us with the care of your Golden.
Surrender FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most often from owners considering surrender.
Want to know more?
What should I bring to the intake appointment?
Please bring your dog's vet records (or your vet's name and address), any current medications, a favorite collar and leash, and a short list of feeding and medical routines. The more we know, the smoother the transition.
How long does the surrender process take?
After you submit the form, we'll typically reach out within a few days for a brief phone screen. Intake appointments are usually scheduled within 1–2 weeks, depending on foster availability. The appointment itself takes about 45-60 minutes.
Do I need to provide medical records?
Yes, please bring whatever you have. If records aren't available, share your vet's name and clinic so we can request them directly. Up-to-date vaccinations and any history of medical conditions help us care for your dog from day one.
Is there a surrender fee?
There's no required fee. We do welcome a donation if you're able — vetting, food, and care are funded entirely by donations and help us say yes to the next dog who needs us.
Can I check in on my dog after surrender?
Once your dog is surrendered, ownership transfers fully to IDGRR and the placement is kept confidential to protect both the dog and the adopter. We're happy to share a brief update once your dog has been placed in their new home.
What if my dog has a bite history or behavior issues?
Please tell us everything honestly on the form. We may still be able to help, and full disclosure lets us match your dog with the right home. Withholding bite or aggression history puts future adopters and the dog at risk — and may have legal consequences.
Ready to Submit a Request?
Create an account or log in to submit a surrender/intake application. All information is kept confidential.
Go to Surrender FormSupport Our Rescue
Every gift helps with medical care, food, and shelter for goldens in need.