Here’s what you should know if you’re searching for the best Golden Retriever rescues in Ontario. With their floppy ears, heart-melting eyes, and lovable personalities, it’s no wonder that Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the world. However, popularity comes at a price, and since there are so many Goldens around, many of them get given up through no fault of theirs.
Before you scroll further down this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Ontario, you can check out these other dog-related recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Labrador Retriever Rescues in Ontario and Best Small Dog Rescues in Ontario.
Find a Golden Retriever Rescue Shelter Near Me in Ontario
If you are looking for a Golden Retriever rescue in Ontario, you’ve arrived at the right place! Here are some breed-specific rescues throughout the province and other places where you might find your new Golden best friend.
Golden Retriever Product Recommendations: Best Car Vacuums For Dog Hair
1. Golden Rescue
Golden Rescue is a non-profit organization which has been dedicated to rescuing Goldens since 1990. It is one of Canada’s largest single-breed rescue centers and is entirely run by volunteers who love the breed. Funded by donations, they operate with four core values: integrity, non-judgment, kindness, and compassion.
All their dogs are neutered and microchipped, and are checked by vets. There are different ways you can help the shelter out. One way is to foster a Golden by filling in their online application form. The organization prefers foster homes without any children under the age of eight. It also isn’t desirable if you have other pets in the house.
They don’t split up two Goldens that are bonded, like siblings, so you should be prepared to foster two if necessary. Fostered Goldens will be allowed to socialize, adapt to domestic life, and receive medical care and training while they wait for their forever homes.
Goldens are spayed or neutered and microchipped, and each is thoroughly temperament-tested to ensure that they can be placed in the most suitable home.
Are you ready to make a commitment to permanent adoption? The fees are $750 if you reside in Canada and $1,000 if you reside out of Canada. Before adopting, you must be prepared to visit the Golden in their foster home. The shelter has plenty of information on their website related to Goldens, such as on training, promoting good behavior and health, safety, and hazards in the home.
If you have a Golden you can no longer care for, this rescue does accept surrenders. Contact the team for more information on how to rehome your pet through their service.
Golden Rescue Details
- Phone Number: (416) 657-2445
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Website: Golden Rescue
2. No Dogs Left Behind
No Dogs Left Behind have taken dog rescue to a new level. Jeffrey Berry is the man who founded the organization in 2016, when he managed to transport 121 survivors from East Asia into the US for adoption.
The group grew into a large dog rescue in Asia with three dog sanctuaries. They have had as many as 500 survivors in their care at any given time. With the help of donations and dog sponsorships, they transport as many dogs as possible to their safehouses in Ontario, Florida, and New York, where the dogs are placed in new homes.
No Dogs Left Behind have quite a few rescued Golden Retrievers available in Ontario, so check their website. If you adopt or foster a dog, you know that you are contributing to a bigger cause. No Dogs Left Behind are animal rights activists who believe in and fight for a cruelty-free world.
Their dogs have been rescued from meat markets in Asia and illegal dog traffickers. They depend on donations from supporters, adopters, fosters, and those who wish to sponsor a dog and take it out of Asia.
All their rescued dogs receive medical care, are vaccinated, sterilized, and named! After being rescued, the dogs are taken to one of the three locations in East Asia, where they are rehabilitated and socialized to trust humans again.
Rescued dogs from No Dogs Left Behind have a survival rate of over 90 percent. Just be aware that even though the rehabilitation process is very positive, some dogs’ trauma may be triggered even after a long time. Be prepared for bumps in the road if you decide to adopt with No Dogs Left Behind n- or any shelter, for that matter.
If you wish to contribute to their cause, you can choose a dog from the ‘Dogs available for adoption in Canada’ section and fill in an application form. Costs vary between $2,000 and $3,000 depending on the transport fees. This price includes vaccination, deworming, microchip, and medical papers.
Since they cannot meet you in person or do a home visit, the process is done online and through WhatsApp. You will communicate with them until your dog arrives, and if you want more information, you can get in touch with them on their website. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
No Dogs Left Behind Details
- Address: Canada Safehouse 15 Reesor Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1X 1R5
- Website: No Dogs Left Behind
3. Dogs Unlimited Rescue
A non-profit organization, Dogs Unlimited Rescue, rescues dogs of any breed from high-kill and lower-risk shelters. While they work with many different breeds, they have Goldens occasionally, so call them up to check.
DUR relies on volunteer fosterers to care for the rescued dogs. Their mission splits into two main objectives: to rescue and rehome abandoned, unloved, or displaced dogs and to educate the public about pet overpopulation.
They aim to end animal overpopulation and kill shelters and backyard breeders. They have a lovely testimonials section where they frequently update with news from adoptive families with pictures.
The adoption process here is a bit different from that at other shelters. Since most of the rescued dogs come from outside Canada, they offer a two-week foster-to-adopt program where you first meet the dog at the airport as soon as they arrive and foster them for two weeks.
After two weeks, you decide whether you’re prepared to permanently adopt the dog or whether you’d rather give it back to Dogs Unlimited Rescue. Should you choose to return your pup, he or she will be cared for in Toronto until a forever home is found.
If you want to adopt a dog, you must fill out the online application. Prices range from $1,600 to $1,900 per dog to cover the shipping costs of the rescued dogs.
Dogs Unlimited Rescue Details
- Address: Dogs Unlimited Rescue Toronto, Etobicoke, ON
- Website: Dogs Unlimited Rescue
- Email Address: [email protected]
4. Niagara Dog Rescue
Niagara Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization established in 2015, aiming to help dogs at risk of being euthanized or at high-kill shelters. While they work with different breeds, they also have Goldens occasionally, so call them to find out who’s waiting for a new home!
This shelter solely depends on volunteers to foster the dogs until they are adopted, as they have no physical shelter. They work with 160 volunteers and have placed over 6,300 dogs since 2015.
If you would like to adopt a dog from this team, just complete an application. A volunteer will be in touch with you shortly for an interview.
If the interview is successful, they will check your references and do a home visit. If the dog you have chosen is in Canada, you may meet them beforehand.
Adoption fees vary depending on the age and needs of each dog.Dogs under a year cost $850, between one and eight years $695, seniors over eight years and dogs with special needs cost $450. Alternatively, you can choose to foster first; there are no costs, and it is a great way to see if a new dog will fit in well with your home and life.
Niagara Dog Rescue Details
- Address: 6-1500 Upper Middle Rd. West, Suite #107, Oakville, Ontario
- Website: Niagara Dog Rescue
- Email Address: [email protected]
5. Labrador Retriever Adoption Service Inc.
Lab Rescue is a rescue center for Labrador Retrievers, but they may occasionally have Golden Retrievers. They are a volunteer-based rescue center that provides health care and new homes for Labs in Ontario. Once the dogs are surrendered to Lab Rescue, they are neutered, immunized, microchipped, and eventually adopted.
If you are ready to adopt, you can fill in the application form on their website, and they will try to match you with a dog. Only the applicants that make the shortlist will be contacted for an initial meeting.
To meet the requirements for adoption, you must have a properly secured yard or open space to run in. Apartments or flats are not acceptable. The dogs must not be alone for any more than six hours as they need to be around people.
Standard dogs and puppies cost $750, dogs older than eight cost $500, and a bonded pair of Labs or Goldens costs $1,300. If you would prefer to foster, you will get all the support you need from Lab Rescue; they’ll cover all the food and medical costs for the dogs.
Labrador Retriever Adoption Service Inc. Details
- Address: 115 George Street, PO Box 254, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 0A2, Canada
- Website: Labrador Retriever Adoption Service Inc.
- Email Address: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you adopt a Golden Retriever of your own, read through out list of the most commonly asked questions and their answers.
How much is adoption from Golden Retriever rescues in Ontario?
If you choose to shop for a purebred Golden Retriever, you can expect breeders to charge between $2,000 and $4,000. However, fostering or adopting a dog is considerably cheaper, so consider this option!
When you adopt, you may not bring home a puppy. Instead, you’ll commit to caring for a new-to-you dog that has perhaps had a checkered past. However, by providing TLC to a surrendered dog, you’ll be changing his life, your life, and the life of the dog that takes his place in the shelter.
What are the biggest problems with Golden Retrievers?
Golden Retrievers aren’t for everyone. They shed – a lot. They smell – badly at times. They’re also prey-driven, so if you have small animals, livestock, or poultry, you’ll need to be extra cautious.
Golden Retrievers are Very Good Boys and Girls, though, and your pup will be loyal and faithful. The dogs are smart and easily trained, and even the shedding and stinky scents can be controlled with a little love and attention!
Goldens don’t have a lot of health concerns to consider, but hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia can occur. Cancer, too, can affect your dog. Bring him to the vet every six to twelve months, as early detection will be important.
Should I get one Golden or two?
Bonded pairs can help each other stay mentally and physically active, and can provide companionship to one another while you’re away. Keep in mind, though, that two can be a crowd! Double the Goldens means Double the baths, grooming, food, and vet bills, and these costs can certainly add up.
Talk to the shelter you choose about finding a dog or a pair that’s right for your lifestyle. Each dog’s unique personality will lend itself differently to different homes.
Conclusion For The “Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Ontario”
We hope this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Ontario will bring you closer to finding a future companion to adopt. Whether you plan to adopt a Golden Retriever companion from a rescue shelter in Ontario or another dog breed, you should know that you’re making an impact in this world, and we thank you for that. Our team at We Love Doodles wishes you the best of luck on your journey to finding that right companion in Ontario.
For more guides similar to this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Ontario, you can check out these other dog-related recommendations from our team:
- Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Canada
- Best Golden Retriever Rescues in California
- Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Virginia
Before you bring home a Golden Retriever companion from a rescue shelter in Ontario, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “3 Types of Golden Retrievers and How to Identify Them” down below:
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.