We have compiled a list of the best Golden Retriever rescues in Tennessee to help make your search for your new pet productive.
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. This breed has won the hearts of many dog lovers with its unique traits, adorable appearance, and easy trainability. As the third most popular dog breed according to AKC, the Golden Retriever is found in many homes in Tennessee.
Many breeders have several litters yearly to meet the ever-increasing demand for Golden puppies. As a result, many owners purchase this breed without knowing how to care for them.
In addition, many breeders only use these dogs to produce puppies and retire them to shelters and rescues. These unfortunate situations are partly why many Goldens are in shelters and rescues across Tennessee and the entire United States.
Fortunately, there are many dog organizations that take in dogs and provide them with the care, love, and support they need. If you’re looking for the best rescues to adopt Golden Retrievers in Tennessee, we’ve got you covered.
Before you scroll down this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Tennessee, check out: Goldendoodle Puppies in Tennessee – Top 3 Breeders (2023) and 9 Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Tennessee! (2023).
1. Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue made it to the top of our list because of its great reputation in the pet rescue field. Created and managed by a group of volunteers, TVGRR has been saving Goldens for more than 25 years.
This non-profit relies solely on donations from friends, family, adopters, and Golden lovers.
Each year, this organization saves and rehomes about 150 Goldens and Golden mixes. Since 1997, the rescue has rehomed more than 2,800 Golden Retrievers. They are one of the largest and most popular Golden rescues in TN, as their only focus is on this breed.
TVGRR saves dogs from various situations. Some of their dogs are picked from the streets, shelters, and surrendered by their owners. Regardless of where and how the dog is saved, the rescue ensures they are loved, well-cared for, and placed in the best homes.
Once the dogs come into the program, whether saved from a shelter or received by owner release, they are assessed for medical needs, brought up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, checked for heart and intestinal parasites, given heartworm and flea preventatives, microchipped, and spayed or neutered.
In addition, the rescue team does a great job of evaluating the dogs in their foster homes to discover their behavior and temperament. All potential adopters are also assessed and paired with a dog that matches their unique needs, lifestyle, family, and personality.
Besides reducing the neglect and abuse of unwanted Goldens via rehabilitation and adoption, TVGRR educates the public about responsible pet ownership. They teach people how best to care for their dogs and prevent any issues that might lead to their surrender.
Another thing we love is that they provide lifetime support for all their adopters, which comes in handy for both new and experienced Golden Retriever owners.
Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue Details:
- Location: Knoxville, TN 37930
- Phone Number: 855-558-3100
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
2. Adopt a Golden Nashville
Adopt a Golden Nashville is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Goldens and Golden mixes in Nashville. AGN was established in 1998 with the ultimate goal of helping Goldens and giving them a second chance at life.
What separates them from other rescues is how they care for their dogs. All rescued dogs enjoy premium care before being listed for adoption. They save unwanted, abandoned, sick, neglected, injured, and surrendered Goldens with the hopes of placing them in the best homes possible.
Their mission extends to promoting the appreciation, understanding, and care of dogs among the general public with education about responsible pet ownership. They endeavor to raise awareness regarding the extraordinarily neglected pet population and play their role in helping curb the issue.
They promote pet spaying/neutering, and all their dogs are taken care of before leaving for their forever homes. AGN operates on tax-deductible donations to care for the Goldens and mixes in their program.
All their volunteers dedicate free time to caring for the dogs and placing them in loving, responsible homes. The rescue does not have any paid staff, so it is powered by the support of pet lovers in the state.
They provide superior health care for all rescued dogs regardless of their condition. In addition, they ensure all dogs are vetted, vaccinated, microchipped, and dewormed before releasing them to their new families. Interestingly, you won’t pay extra for those additions — the adoption fees cover those costs.
AGN operates in a large region covering Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Western Kentucky. This rescue organization has saved thousands of Golden and Golden mixes since 1998, averaging about 200 dogs yearly.
Adopt a Golden Nashville Details:
- Location: Franklin, TN 37068
- Phone Number: 615-496-7297
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Adopt a Golden Nashville
3. Adopt a Golden Knoxville
Next up, we have Adopt a Golden Knoxville, a highly dedicated rescue whose ultimate mission is to help Goldens of all ages. This organization was established by three women with a shared vision for a Golden Retriever rescue in East Tennessee.
The group’s mission is to help Goldens and Golden mixes in need of homes, promote responsible pet ownership, and build relationships. Since its establishment, this rescue has saved more than 1,300 Goldens, Golden mixes, Labradors, and other retriever breeds.
AGK is a non-profit consisting of volunteers from all over the state. They work with foster homes across Tennessee that temporarily house these dogs until their forever families come for them.
All rescued dogs are placed in foster homes, where they are vetted, cared for, and loved. If you’re looking for a place to adopt healthy and happy Golden Retriever puppies or dogs, AGK comes highly recommended, because they go the extra mile to ensure they provide you with only healthy and temperament-evaluated dogs.
AGK is careful about where their dogs end up. They want only the best for the dogs, so they thoroughly evaluate all applicants to ensure they are the right candidates. They conduct phone interviews and home inspections in a bid to find the right homes for their rescued dogs.
Another advantage of adopting from this rescue is that more than half of their dogs come from owners who want to rehome their dogs for personal reasons. As such, these dogs are trained, well-socialized, and well-behaved. They are also healthy and are ready to be a great addition to any family.
Adopt a Golden Knoxville Details:
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee 37939
- Phone Number: 865-940-0688
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Adopt a Golden Knoxville
4. Love at First Sight
Are you looking for healthy, happy, and well-socialized puppies? Love at First Sight is one of the best options you have when looking for the best places to adopt a Golden Retriever in Tennessee.
Love at First Sight is an all-breed rescue that rehomes dogs of all sizes. They occasionally have Golden puppies and adults, helping them find loving, responsible homes like yours.
This rescue specializes mainly in puppies, providing pet lovers with healthy and happy puppies ready to start life in a new home. One thing we love about this rescue team is that they have volunteers dedicated to updating their website and Facebook with the newest available puppies.
Like many other reputable rescues out there, Love at First Sight extensively screens its applicants to ensure their dogs will thrive in their homes. After filling out the online application form, you would have to wait for the approval.
Once approved, you and your entire family will have a meet and greet with the pet you’ve chosen. A playdate is also arranged for families who have other pets. They do everything possible to ensure every adoption is a success and the dogs never have to return to the streets or shelters.
In addition, they support all their adopters for life, providing them with all the information they need to care for their new family members. Besides dogs, this rescue also rescues and rehomes kittens.
Love at First Sight Details:
- Location: 4423 Murphy Rd Nashville, TN 37209, USA
- Phone Number: 615-297-2464
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Love at First Sight
Frequently Asked Questions
You can expect to pay up to $2,600 for a Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder.
Generally speaking, female Golden Retrievers are calmer than males, but personalities will vary from dog to dog.
A dog may put its paw on you for many reasons, but in general, it’s a sign that the dog wants your attention.
Conclusion for “Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Tennessee”
Golden Retrievers are lovely dogs that make excellent family pets and companions.
The Tennessee rescues listed here are dedicated to the Golden Retriever breed and would go the extra mile to support you and your new family member. You can always rely on them for continuous support, guidance, and advice when raising your new pet.
For guides similar to this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Tennessee, check out:
- 4 Best German Shepherd Rescues in Tennessee! (2023)
- 5 Best Dachshund Rescues in Tennessee! (2023)
- 3 Best Corgi Rescues in Tennessee! (2023)
Before you adopt a Golden Retriever from a rescue in Tennessee, learn more by watching “9 Things you MUST KNOW Before Getting a Golden Retriever!” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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