What is Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue?

YGRR is a non-profit charitable organization comprised of dedicated volunteers and a small staff. With a membership of over 3,000 dog enthusiasts, we have experience in all aspects of dogs. Some of us are professionals while others are hobbyists and pet owners. We all have one thing in common --- our love for the Golden Retriever and the desire to provide high quality services for Goldens in need.

Established in 1985, Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue Inc., (YGRR) has assisted thousands of Goldens from all over New England. YGRR staff and volunteers are specialists in finding qualified adopters who understand the specific needs of your breed. They are dedicated to placing Goldens of all ages in appropriate lasting homes.

YGRR provides services for Goldens whose owners live in the six New England states.

Should You Place Your Dog?

The decision to give up your pet should never be taken lightly. Terminating a relationship with your dog means entrusting someone else with his or her care and well-being. It can be a difficult and emotional time so it is important to consider all the ways to keep your dog before you finalize the decision.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and short on time, ask yourself whether this is a long-term or temporary condition. Goldens definitely need quality time with their owners, but they can do very well in homes of working families. Often a short game of catch and some petting while you unwind at night is plenty, as long as your Golden can be in the house when you are home. Giving your dog the privilege of sleeping in a family member's bedroom provides him or her with a sense of belonging and closeness as you sleep. If your dog is unruly and overly excited, training usually turns the situation around and transforms your wild beast into a canine good citizen. Obedience training does not have to take much time or effort; just enroll in a class, and fifteen minutes a day for four to eight weeks will produce amazing permanent results if you incorporate the new skills in your everyday life.

Moving to a smaller home does not always mean you must give up your pet. Your Golden may adjust better than you think. Providing lots of toys and bones for chewing and/or playing ball in the hallway can burn energy when time or space is limited. Hide and seek, with a toy, is another fun game that does not require much room. Getting help from a responsible neighborhood child, professional dog walker, dog daycare service, play group or a foster grandparent are great solutions for the Golden that need more exercise or attention.

If you decide that placing your dog is best for you, YGRR is here to support your decision. Relinquishing your dog to YGRR gives him or her the best opportunity for a second chance at a happy life. Although it may be a difficult choice, it is also a gift of kindness and understanding.

Why is YGRR the Best Choice for Your Dog?

Our adoption process starts by gathering detailed information about your dog's personality and health history. Then our skilled veterinarians conduct a thorough physical exam and perform any needed procedures to ensure that your dog is in peak condition. All dogs are spayed or neutered, inoculated against disease and canine cough, tested for heartworm disease, treated for intestinal parasites, tattooed for permanent identification, and bathed. In addition, seniors, dogs 8 years and older, receive a complete blood profile to check their overall health status.

Your dog will enjoy luxury accommodations that include a fully heated and air-conditioned building, lots of soft blankets, playtime in a fenced area, toys, and individual attention. Throughout his or her stay with YGRR, your dog's behavior and personality will be monitored to help us select the best situation for your pet.

Once an approved applicant or applicants have been hand picked to meet your dog, the Adoption Coordinator will conduct adoption visits. Her job is to guide the adopter in his or her selection of the right dog. Each visit is at least one hour long to allow the prospective adopter to meet and play with your dog. Your dog will be safe and happy until the right person falls head over heels in love with that sweet face and wagging tail.

Each prospective adopter who visits the facility has undergone an intense screening process. It includes a written application, personal interview, and home visit by a volunteer, all to ensure that the person is ready for the lifelong commitment of caring for a Golden. For reasons of confidentiality we cannot tell you exactly where your dog's new home is, but if you provide us with a self-addressed stamped postcard, we can give you general information about his or her new situation once adopted.

Our dedication lasts long after the adoption day. We follow up each placement to assist the adopter with any problems or concerns during the transition time and our staff is always available for advice. YGRR will take back our dogs at any time during the dog's life. Each person signs a comprehensive adoption contract that includes a clause prohibiting the sale or transfer of ownership of the dog to ensure he or she stays in the home or comes back to YGRR. We also encourage adopters to join our extended family by giving them a complimentary one year YGRR membership.

Does YGRR Welcome All Goldens?

Our goal is to give each appropriate Golden every possible chance for a happy and loving home. Our placement statistics are well above average, proving how successful we are at finding wonderful homes for Goldens of all ages and medical conditions. Only under extreme circumstances is a dog not placed in a new home once he or she joins us; for example, if our veterinary staff determines that the dog is suffering from an incurable disease that will compromise the quality of the dog's life, he or she will not be placed for adoption but instead will be put to sleep by painless injection. Dogs that have a history of aggression with people and/or show aggression toward our staff are also ineligible for adoption. Extreme aggression toward other dogs and severe behavior problems may also preclude a dog from placement depending on the circumstances.

What Are Your Other Options?

Although there are other choices when placing your Golden, none compare to the comprehensive professional option of YGRR.

• Local shelter or town pound:
  These organizations are often overburdened with dogs of all kinds. It is important to be aware that limited space may make it impossible for these dedicated professionals to house your dog until a qualified adopter comes along. Dogs over five years or dogs with health issues are at higher risk because of the difficulty placing them. Shelters and pounds do their best, but they are not designed as YGRR is, solely for the comfort, care, and lifelong placement of your breed. YGRR does not have a time or age limit and is successful placing dogs with special needs.

• Placing the dog yourself with strangers:
  Finding the right home for your Golden can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience. Where do you advertise? Will your dog go to a loving home? ("Free to good home" advertisements may attract persons who pose as caring adopters but who actually intend to sell your dog for experimentation, breeding stock at puppy mills, or fighting. Golden Retrievers are desirable as warm up bait for fighting dogs.) Does the person understand the special needs and characteristics of a Golden? If your dog is not neutered or spayed, will they supervise your dog properly so he or she will not produce unplanned and unwanted puppies? Screening potential homes to ensure a permanent match takes experience. YGRR is run by people with many years of experience placing, training, and caring for dogs.

• Giving your dog away to family or friends:
  Friends and family members mean well by trying to help you, but they may not provide the best home for your dog. Your pet deserves someone who really wants a new companion, not a family that is adopting him or her as a favor or to "save" the dog. Often these homes do not last and your dog will need to be uprooted again. YGRR adoptive homes are carefully screened, so you can rest assured that the new family has been waiting for a Golden just like yours.

Where Does My Donation Money Go?

A donation of $50 is requested from each person surrendering a Golden to YGRR. Your donation helps cover some of the costs associated with preparing your dog for its new life. Running a top-notch adoption agency for Goldens is expensive. We need your help to ensure that your dog gets the necessities as well as the comforts he or she deserves while in transition. Your donation will help with the cost of medical procedures, food, heating, and the never-ending supply of bones and toys.

Is It Worth the Trip?

ABSOLUTELY. YGRR's program and lifelong commitment to your dog will allow you to rest assured that your pet is safe and secure. Placing your Golden with our organization may require a longer drive than the other alternatives but it gives your pet the best possible chance for a happy ending. Doesn't your dog deserve it?


If you want to surrender your Golden Retriever to YGRR, please call our hotline. All Rescue Goldens must be admitted to YGRR by our staff by appointment. Do not send an email.

Thank you.


YANKEE GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE, INC.
P.O. Box 808
Hudson, MA 01749

24 Hour VOICEMAIL HOTLINE Number: (978) 568-9700, Line 3 to Surrender a Golden
We cannot admit Goldens via email.


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