4 Best Golden Retriever Rescues In North Carolina! (2023)

It’s great to know that you’re searching for Golden Retriever rescues in North Carolina. Every day, rescues and animal shelters take in dogs to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home … with people just like you! Many rescued Golden Retrievers are looking for a loving family to call home.

While plenty of North Carolina rescues take in all breeds, there are very few rescues that only take in Golden Retrievers. We have curated this list to include the best breed-specific rescues and general rescues where you’ll most likely find Golden Retrievers.

Before scrolling down this list of Golden Retriever rescues in North Carolina, check out other dog breeds you could help: Best Corgi Rescues in North Carolina and Best German Shepherd Rescues in North Carolina.

Golden Retriever Rescues For Adoption in North Carolina

We have curated this list to include the best breed-specific rescues and general rescues at which you’ll most likely find Golden Retrievers.

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1. Triad Golden Retriever Rescue

First on the list of Golden Retriever rescues in North Carolina is “Triad Golden Retriever Rescue.” Triad Golden Retriever Rescue (TGRR) is a volunteer organization recognized by and affiliated with GRCA’s National Rescue Committee. The rescue works with national rescue groups and shelters to help Golden Retrievers in need. The TGRR program takes in Golden Retrievers from animal shelters, private owners who cannot take care of their goldens, and good samaritans who find unclaimed Golden strays.

Rescued Golden Retrievers are usually 2 to 4 years old. Golden Retrievers as young as four months and as seasoned as 8+ years also come through the doors on occasion. TGRR provides medical attention, spays, neuters them and gives them a sanctuary before re-homing them.

The Golden Retriever’s long-term safety and happiness are paramount to TGRR. For this reason, the rescue has strict adoption policies. They don’t adapt to families with children younger than five or approve of goldens being left outdoors.

You can view more of their adoption policies on the website. There is a $40 non-refundable application fee, payable via PayPal or check. A TGRR volunteer will contact your vet to provide a reference before scheduling a phone call with you. For applicants in the Piedmont Triad area, TGRR will arrange a home visit. For applicants outside Triad, TGRR will request additional materials instead of a home visit. The screening process takes 3 to 4 weeks and, once complete, TGRR will notify you via email if your application is approved.

You will need to exercise patience as it might take up to one year to adopt a Golden Retriever from this rescue. That’s because the Golden Retrievers are not adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, the rescue screens potential families or individuals that have shown interest to see if they are a good fit.

Golden Retrievers younger than six years old cost $350, 7 to 9 years old cost $150, and seniors 10+ years cost $100. Aside from Golden Retrievers, you can also find golden mixes at Triad Golden Retriever Rescue.

Triad Golden Retriever Rescue Details

Address: 6828 Deer Haven Rd, Belews Creek, NC 27009
Website: Triad Golden Retriever Rescue
Telephone: (336) 288-9944
Email: adopt@tgrr.org

2. Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte

Formed in 1985, the Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte (GRRCC) rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes purebred goldens and golden mixes. Their program relies upon foster homes and boarding facilities to keep pups safe while they wait for a forever home. Since 1985, the GRRCC has saved over 2,000 Golden Retrievers.

Rescued Golden Retrievers are spayed, neutered, and receive all vaccines from rabies to all other appropriate vaccines. Dogs are tested for heartworm and other conditions before they’re cleared to be adopted.

Once you express interest, you’ll fill out an online application and submit a $25 application fee. Next, you’ll participate in background checks and a phone interview. If you pass these stages, a GRRCC volunteer will visit your home to meet your family. Approval takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending on your availability, location, and how busy they are. After your home visit, you’ll be connected with the golden’s foster parents. Finally, you will meet your dog and see if you match.

GRRCC has a strong preference for applicants within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area but occasionally adopts out-of-service territory. The adoption fee is per the Golden Retriever’s age. Puppies under one cost $350, adults between 1 to 8 years cost $300, and older adult dogs between eight and ten years of age are $100. The rescue accepts donations in place of an adoption fee for senior dogs above ten years old.

Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte Details

Address: Charlotte, North Carolina
Website: Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte
Telephone: (704) 348-1573
Email: info@grrcc.com

3. Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue

Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (NRGRC) operates in the Triangle area of North Carolina, in the central part of the state. The rescue has a strong community presence and advocates for responsible pet ownership, protection for all dogs, and community education. The rescue has been operating since the early 1980s and has saved over 4,000 Golden Retrievers and counting. They have a strong volunteer network that helps in rescuing over 200 dogs every year.

To adopt a Golden Retriever from NRGRC, you must be an NC resident and live within 100 miles of Raleigh. If this applies, you can either apply or email the volunteer team. An advisor will contact you and your references, and if you’ve never owned a dog, the advisor will schedule a home visit. Once you’re approved, let the team know which of the available dogs you’re interested in.

The Golden Retriever’s foster parent will go through the applications and choose the best fit based on set criteria. International dogs of all ages cost $700. Puppies under one year cost $400, goldens between 1 to 4 years cost $350, goldens between 4 to 9 years cost $300, and seniors above nine years cost $150. The adoption fees include travel, vaccinations, vet care, microchip, spay/neuter, flea and tick preventatives, training, and other care as needed by individual dogs.

Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue Details

Address: Raleigh North Carolina
Website: Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
Telephone: (919) 676-7144
Email: nrgrrinfo@gmail.com (General Inquiries), nrgrrapplications@hotmail.com (Applications)

4. Chasin’ Tail Rescue

Last on the list of Golden Retriever rescues in North Carolina is Chasin’ Tail Rescue. At Chasin’ Tail Rescue, positively impacting the lives of dogs is core to their mission. They’re not breed-specific, and rescue everything from German Shepherds to Golden Retrievers! The rescue’s adoption process is three steps and very straightforward.

First, you will need to fill in a questionnaire. A volunteer will contact you within 24 to 48 hours and set up a phone screening to discuss your lifestyle, preference, and needs. Next, the volunteer will conduct the required checks, such as landlord and vet checks. If they check out, the member will set up a home visit. Once you’re approved, you can meet their available dogs and work with the Chasin’ Tail team to pick the pup that’s right for you!

Adoption fees may vary from dog to dog, so please contact Chasin’ Tail for more information on the required donation.

Chasin’ Tail Rescue Details

Address: Bailey, North Carolina
Website: Chasin’ Tail Rescue
Telephone: (925) 419-1556
Email: chasintailrescuenc@gmail.com

Conclusion For The “Best Golden Retriever Rescues in North Carolina”

Every year, 2.7 million dogs face euthanasia. These dogs lack shelter, and with the rising number of homeless dogs, shelters and rescues fill up fast. Even though adoptive pet parents fear health or behavioral issues down the line, many Golden Retrievers in rescues or shelters are healthy pets. They wound up there because of human problems like divorce, a move abroad, and financial troubles, not because they did anything wrong.

However, we still recommend taking time and asking the shelter questions about their facility, operations, and the dog. To get a complete picture of the Golden Retriever’s health, you can get the dog thoroughly examined through bodies like OFA, Paw Print, among others.

For more Golden Retriever guides, you can check out:

Before you bring home a Golden Retriever, watch “Things You Must Know Before Getting a Golden Retriever” from Retriever Care down below:

Andy Lam

Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.

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