The 3 Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Wisconsin! (2023)

Are you looking for Golden Retriever rescues in Wisconsin? You’re at the right place.

Golden Retrievers are one of the most beloved dog breeds, known for their loyalty, intelligence, and playful nature. However, not all Golden Retrievers are lucky enough to live in loving and caring homes. Many are forced out on the street by negligent owners, breeders, and unfortunate circumstances.

In Wisconsin, several rescue organizations rescue, rehome, and provide medical care for Golden Retrievers. This article will highlight the top three rescues dedicated to the welfare of Goldens.

These organizations are committed to providing a safe and loving environment for Golden Retrievers in need and finding them forever homes. Whether you’re looking to adopt a Golden Retriever or want to surrender one, these rescues are a great choice.

Before you scroll down this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Wisconsin, check out: Best Goldendoodle Rescues in Wisconsin! (2023) and 5 Best Shih Tzu Rescues in Wisconsin! (2023).

1. Wisconsin Adopt a Golden Retriever

Formed in 2005, Wisconsin Adopt a Golden Retriever (WAAGR) is an organization that aims to find better opportunities for man’s best friend. They specialize in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Golden Retrievers in Wisconsin and Illinois.

The WAAGR organization is a non-profit with support almost entirely by volunteers. They not only help dogs in America but in far-off countries like Puerto Rico, Lebanon, and China. This means the cost of helping dogs comes to around $1,100 per head.

This fee includes training, transportation, medical, and rehabilitation costs. However, their adoption fee is only $500, which is why fundraising is a crucial part of their business strategy. You can support them by buying apparel, donating directly, volunteering, or fostering their rescued dogs.

The adoption process at WAAGR is more stringent than at other rescues because they want to place their dogs in the best possible homes. WAAGR has a pre-approved list that it consults when a dog is ready. Being on this list drastically increases your chances of being able to adopt a companion.

To get on the list, you must submit an application with a standard processing fee of $35. Furthermore, all dogs cost the same ($550), except for senior dogs (nine-plus years), which cost $100.

Secondly, you must also meet the rescue’s eligibility criterion, which states that only adults above the age of 21 can adopt. In addition, they have to sign a waiver, pass a home assessment, and get a vet assessment of any present or past pets they might have had. Furthermore, households with aggressive dogs are not eligible.

Finally, you must be a resident of Wisconsin or a resident of an area within a 60-minute drive of Wisconsin to adopt from this organization. On the other hand, a standout feature of this organization is that they don’t require you to have a perfect home.

Just because you don’t have a fenced yard or have children living with you doesn’t mean you will be disqualified from the adoption process. The most important thing is to make sure that the dog finds a good home.

Since you’ll not often have the chance to spend time with a Golden Retriever before adopting it, WAAGR encourages people first to foster and, if they mesh well, adopt it.

Wisconsin Adopt a Golden Retriever Details:

• Location: 12605 West North Avenue, #285 Brookfield, Wisconsin
• Phone Number: 414-517-7725
• Email: info@waagr.org
• Website: Wisconsin Adopt a Golden Retriever
• Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

2. Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest

Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest (ROGAM) is a charity organization based in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Wisconsin dedicated to rescuing and rehoming Golden Retrievers.

This puppy rescue in Wisconsin was established in 1985 and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers passionate about helping these loyal animals find their forever homes. Together they have helped find new homes for more than 9,000 Golden Retrievers and rescues.

ROGAM rescues Golden Retrievers from a variety of situations, including shelters, puppy mills, and owner surrenders. Once they have taken in a Golden Retriever, they provide the animal with the necessary medical care and attention before placing them in a foster home.

Foster families provide dogs with a loving and nurturing environment while ROGAM works to find them a permanent home. It is also possible to foster a dog to get to know it and then adopt it once you are sure you are a good match.

ROGAM’s adoption process ensures that the Golden Retrievers in their care are placed in loving and suitable homes. Nonetheless, the process is relatively straightforward.

Only applicants from the member states can apply to adopt one of their dogs. The first step is to pass a simple screening test by the organization to ensure that the applicant is a good fit.

Another requirement is that the applicant must pledge not to adopt other pets in the next six months. This ensures the dog receives the attention and care needed to thrive in its new environment.

In addition to the screening test, applicants must pay a processing fee of $30 to register their interest. This fee is intended to discourage spam and ensure that only serious applicants are applying to adopt. It also helps to cover the expenses of the organization.

ROGAM is always in need of support from the community to continue its rescue efforts. One of the ways you can help is by making a donation to the organization. Your donation will help cover the expenses of rescuing and rehoming Golden Retrievers.

Moreover, the organization is always in need of volunteers to help with a variety of tasks. For example, you can assist with transportation, either by driving dogs to appointments or helping to move them to their foster or forever homes.

If you have skills in management or social media, you can also help the organization by working in those areas. They can always use extra hands to manage their rescue efforts, and social media is a powerful tool to reach more people and spread the word about their cause.

Fostering is a great way to help ROGAM. As a foster parent, you will provide a temporary home for a Golden Retriever until they are placed in their forever home. This is a great opportunity to positively impact the life of a dog in need and experience the joy of a Golden Retriever.

Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest Details:

• Location: 5800 Baker Road, Suite 120, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• Phone Number: 612-389-0490
• Email: rescue@ragom.org
• Website: Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest
• Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube

3. As Good as Gold

Last on our list of the top three Golden Retriever rescues in Wisconsin is As Good As Gold, a 501(c)(3) charity in Illinois dedicated to rehoming Golden Retrievers. While it isn’t based in Wisconsin, it does deliver its rescues to the state.

The organization was established in 2004, and since then, it has helped nearly 3,000 dogs find homes. Each year, they rescue about 200 dogs, with each one’s medical care costing nearly a thousand dollars.

As Good As Gold is committed to providing the best possible care for the Golden Retrievers in their care. The organization has a standard adoption fee of $500 for dogs under seven years and $200 for dogs with special needs.

This fee includes providing them with medical treatment, spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. They also provide behavioral and obedience training to help the dogs adjust to their new homes. This extensive care costs them almost a thousand dollars for each dog.

The organization has a long waiting list, so applicants have to wait up to several months before getting approved. To be eligible to adopt a Golden Retriever, applicants must meet some requirements:

• You must have a fenced yard where your dog can play. If you live in an apartment, you must have a park nearby, so the dog has a safe and secure place to exercise.
• You are not eligible if you have a child under the age of six. Rescue dogs need a lot of attention, and people with younger children are unable to give them the attention they need.

If you meet these requirements, you can apply for adoption and wait for the rescue to get in touch with you when a dog becomes available.

As Good As Gold is a non-profit that relies on donations to continue its efforts. There are several ways you can support the organization. You can make a one-time or recurring donation to their cause that can be paid online through their website or in person. All donations to As Good As Gold are tax deductible.

Volunteering is another way to help the organization. As Good As Gold welcomes volunteers willing to help with various tasks, such as dog walking, fostering, or event planning. If you have a specific skill set, such as graphic design or marketing, you can contact them and ask if you can help in any way.

If you can no longer take care of your Golden Retriever for whatever reason, you can give them to As Good As Gold for adoption. This is a great way to ensure your dog is placed in a loving home.

As Good as Gold Details:

• Location: 518 S. Route 31, Suite 178, McHenry, Illinois
• Phone Number: 630-588-0115
• Email: info@asgoodasgold.org
• Website: As Good As Gold
• Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube

How to Choose Golden Retriever Rescues in Wisconsin

There are only two rescues dedicated to Golden Retrievers in Wisconsin, but there are others in neighboring states. You can adopt from whichever rescue you want to, but you must ensure they’re a legitimate operation.

Location is a significant factor that should influence your choice — adopting nearby is convenient, and it also supports a local business. Since these rescues are non-profits, they rely on your donations to stay afloat and help stray and abandoned dogs.

Moreover, rescues ask for specific details before letting you adopt, so you should expect some questions. One more factor you should keep in mind is the level of medical care the rescues give to their animals. A good shelter should vaccinate, neuter/spay, and screen its animals for major diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion for “Best Golden Retriever Rescues in Wisconsin”

In this article, we looked at the three Golden Retriever rescues in Wisconsin, gathered their information in a single place, and listed their locations for your convenience.

The different shelters have different pros that might make you want to choose them over the other. It all depends on your specific needs and wants.

WAAGR is very encouraging and supportive. Even if you don’t fit the description of the ideal dog owner — for instance, if you don’t have a fenced lawn or you have children in your house — they will still consider you based on your other qualifications.

ROGAM is an excellent, well-established institution that offers different ways for volunteers to help out. Taking in a dog is a simple and easy process, and you know you’ll be getting your money’s worth.

As Good As Gold is located in Illinois but allows residents of Wisconsin to adopt and even ships the dogs to the neighboring state. It is a trusted source that has saved the lives of thousands of dogs, and you can’t go wrong with them.

Whichever one you choose, remember to love your dog and give it the best care!

For more guides similar to this list of Golden Retriever rescues in Wisconsin, check out:

• The 15 Best Dog Brushes for Golden Retrievers! (2023)
• 6 Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Illinois! (2023)
• 3 Best Golden Retriever Breeders in Minnesota! (2023)

Before you adopt a Golden Retriever from a rescue in Wisconsin, learn more by watching “10 Things Only Golden Retriever Dog Owners Understand” down below: