GoldHeart was started in 1999 by a small, dedicated group of volunteers with an undying love for Golden Retrievers. The initial group of volunteers were members of the Golden Retriever Rescue Education, and Trainings (GRREAT), complementing GRREAT’s efforts by concentrating GoldHeart’s mission in Maryland, south-central Pennsylvania and Delaware areas. Fast forward to 2017, with decades of spay and neuter programs, changes in state and local laws, and participation by rescue groups, the number of unwanted Goldens is on the decline, particularly in certain areas of the country. This is wonderful news! GoldHeart’s first priority continues to be rescuing and placing Golden Retrievers and golden-mixes located within our service area. We will also consider helping Golden and golden-mixes in other areas of the country, if resources permit. When we are asked to rescue a needy Golden Retriever outside of our country, GoldHeart may consider these dogs consistent with our organization’s intake priorities and again, available resources. Since 1999, GoldHeart volunteers have successfully placed over 1060 dogs in forever homes, GoldHeart’s membership has also grown to over 500 members/supporters, who we could not exist without their support. We take in about 45-50 goldens and golden mixes per year, and approve around 150 new applications to adopt annually. Absent any major changes in a home, an application approval is generally good for two years from date of issuance. The bulk of the day-to-day rescue efforts are handled by the all-volunteer Board of Directors and a dozen or more core volunteers.
1. Application - Complete and submit an Adoption Application with a $30 processing fee. 2. Reference Checks - GH volunteers contact your veterinarian and personal references. 3. Home Visit - A GH volunteer and one of their dogs will visit your home to conduct an interview of the family and determine if the home is a good match for the age and activity level requested in the adoption application. The GH volunteer then submits a home visit report to GH’s Adoption Application Coordinator. 4. Approval - The GH Adoption Application Coordinator determines whether to approve the applicant, and then sends written notification of GH’s decision to the applicant, along with details covering applicable next steps. 5. Finding a Golden - If approved, watch the website to identify an Available Dog that will fit into your home and lifestyle. When a dog is ready for adoption, you will see a complete Looking for a Forever Home bio along with foster home contact information posted. You may then contact the foster family to express your interest. 6. Adopting a Golden - If you are selected, before you take your dog home, together with the GH foster home volunteer, you will complete adoption paperwork, and pay the donation fee and any refundable fees (e.g., for training). Our job does not end when the paperwork is done. Your dog’s foster parents and other GoldHeart representatives will continue to be available to you. We want to help you make the transition of your new fur kid as seamless as possible.
Queenstown MD 21658 | 0.2 mile away
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Queenstown MD 21658 | 7.6 miles away
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