Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue

If you enjoy callous schoolyard picks, multiple unexplained rejections, and failure to even respond to your carefully crafted letters asking to adopt, this organization is for you.
We had our home visit and were told that we would be great owners. We live in a town home and do not have 24 – 7 outdoor access, but have active lifestyles to give the dog exercise and are able to take the dog to work the days we work outside the home. We have a cat, but the cat is friendly toward other animals. We are experienced dog owners, and we were consciously very selective in the dogs we applied for to ensure that we were requesting dogs that were a good fit with our home and our feline family member. One year and six requests later, zero. Our last experience is a perfect example: we responded within 6 hours of posting. Took the time to craft two notes to talk about who we were and why we were a good fit for this particular dog. Our home visit volunteer said she wrote a note on our behalf. A week and a half later we saw on the website that the dog was adopted. We have yet to receive any acknowledgement from scgrr that we were even considered or any explanation as to why we were not chosen. Other Unilocal reviews imply that we never had a chance since we didn’t have a yard. I don’t know if that is true or false, but I feel let down and frustrated. I invested time, money, and excitement in this process. After we would apply, we would check our email hourly hoping to hear something. And each and every time we met disappointment and no helpful feedback. To learn the dog was adopted from the website and not even get a note from the organization, seems wrong. I hope scgrr cares more for their dogs, than their people. But I for one will be moving on to an organization that treats me with a little respect.

I used to support this rescue group but I’ve given up after two years. It’s just heartbreaking to think that poor dogs are in hands of these people.
They’re very quick only to collect donation money. They call it «home interview fee». After collecting my check, that was it. My husband and I even wondered if they’re not giving us a chance because of our skin color. We’re good people. We have two beautiful dogs we have rescued. We have a large yard for the dogs. I don’t understand.
I wish I could retake my donation check from them and donate it to my local shelter. It’s hard to distinguish bad rescue groups from good ones. I’m just sad. I don’t believe in these people anymore.

**I give this rescue zero stars. They could use a lesson in kindness.
The woman who was out at the NKLA today was so rude to me. It’s a good thing they rescue an in-​demand favorite breed; maybe that’s why she felt she could talk down to me. I’m sure they have many people wanting to adopt their dogs but that doesn’t give them the right to judge. I’m actually a perfect candidate to a adopt. Had she inquired at all about me, she would have learned that I had a beagle who lived almost 14 years, the last five of which he had diabetes; I gave him insulin shots twice a day and toward the end I had to administer fluids. It’s a difficult job but I loved my dog. This rescue will never see the likes of me or anyone I know, I will make sure everyone knows that these people are rude, shady and dishonest (they brought a retriever that wasn’t even up for adoption but paraded her around like she was). But hey, they don’t need me anyway.

I adopted my first Golden from SCGRR almost 6 years ago. I, as many have stated, was declined for many dogs I enquires about. When you continue to apply for dogs and get your hopes up it is a disappointment to be told your family wasn’t the one chosen to adopt that dog. It took me almost three months to get a dog. BUT. I am so grateful that it ended up that way because I now have my beautiful Shadow. He is my world!
I would not want to change how it ended up! Sure, I had to wait a little while and be patient, but I believe the dog and new «family» member that was suppose to be part of my family is whom ended up in my home. Had I not been patient and waited I wouldn’t have my Shadow and I wouldn’t want any other dog but him. I believe whatever is suppose to be, will be.
I was so pleased with this rescue that I ended up signing up to be a foster and volunteer. I have been volunteering for this rescue for six years now. Seeing what these animals go through before they’ve landed in our rescue is so disheartening. When you see the cruel and inhuman things that some humans are capable of you begin to lose hope in humanity. This rescue continually restores my hope because there are so many wonderful volunteers that dedicate so much of their time to save and help these beautiful Golden babies.
This rescue is full of people with HUGE, animal loving hearts that only want the best for these fur babies.

We adopted our Bear from SCGRR and could not be happier. Yes, it takes awhile and you will be disappointed several times in not getting selected, especially if you are intent on a young dog. After being beat out several times, we were offered our 7 yr old Bear… what a match made in heaven. He has his issues as all rescues do, but he’s perfect for us after losing our long time Golden to cancer. Consider an older Golden. We love this organization and the work they put into the care and selection process. Thank you SCGRR.

I have to agree with other post. They were quick to come to our home and get a donation. After many inquiries about actually adopting I was told that my application will be looked at with the 20 others. We got sick of waiting and rescued another breed that took a lot less time.

I am a local So. Cal County/​City Shelter and Rescue animal transporter and every time I drive for SCGRR, I have been extremely moved by their kindness and love they show — you can’t fake a loving heart… it just shines through. At the designated meeting place for transport, I will never forget Moose. He was a senior being surrendered on the day of transport and Stevie didn’t flinch at adding him so he would be in a sanctuary environment a.s.a.p. — no boarding or foster but a calm place with other seniors, sunshine and love. When I arrived, I saw someone obviously tending a GR to water, potty area, petting, kissing… I assumed she was another transporter, but she was actually Stevie ~On one transport, I drove 4 Goldens and it was the most enjoyable transport ever… so many people smiling at the happy, friendly dogs, asking questions at service stations and one person even asking for contact # because they wanted to adopt a Golden… I don’t know how easy or not easy their adoption process is but as far as needing donations, yes, you can’t expect them to take such good care of their rescues with no funding-​and to properly vet, foster, transport, feed, medicate (if necessary), groom, network via Pet Magazines, etc… TAKES MONEY. There is so much more involved that people realize. SCGRR, I adore you~

I have to agree with the posters on here that think this organization spends more time and effort soliciting donations, than actually placing dogs. They have only a few dogs on their website that are actually adoptable. They leave previously adopted dogs on the website for weeks.
Also, many of their dogs are pound rescues, and they have no paperwork, no medical history, and many are mixed breeds. Nothing wrong with that, but they want to charge you up to $ 450 for these dogs. You can get them from the pound yourself for much less.
We also ended up getting a dog off of Craigslist.

It has been about 3 months since we adopted a golden retriever from SCGRR. Bringing in a new family member is a big decision. We had rescued 2 goldens previously, but had never worked with this group. After doing a web search for GR rescues we decided to fill out the online application and begin the process. It was fun to go to the website and read about the dogs – to learn their stories (what is known) and a bit about their personalities, temperament and training. It was extremely helpful in determining which dogs might fit into our family and lifestyle. The web pages are constantly updated so you can see when an adoption is pending and when a dog has been adopted. If you love the breed it is extremely gratifying to see the dogs find loving homes.
The key with rescue is to be patient. We were not selected immediately. The first few dogs we inquired about went to other homes. This can be disappointing, but we understood that there are others waiting for a new 4-​footed friend as well. We determined not to take it personally. The volunteers are dedicated, and truly want these dogs that were abandoned to find homes that are well suited to them so they will have every chance of success and a happy life.
We give SCGRR 5 stars for the amazing work they do! … We are so grateful … Each day brings new adventures and challenges, but mostly love from our rescue.

I love this rescue. I have adopted a dog from them, as well as volunteer. The time and love that is put into the rescue is amazing. Its so neat to see the dogs go from, injured, sick, or just having to be re homed, to having at least 10 people wanting that dog. It is all volunteers and ran on donations only. My dog I adopted from them, had been found injured and not in great shape when she came in. By the time I adopted her she had been healed.
Despite what some other reviews say about this rescue, they do get to go to homes that are apartments, or a condo with no yard. It just all depends on how you match up with the dog.

My experience with SGGRR was pretty bad. I’ve had Goldens before and understand the breed. I live in a great apartment in Downtown Santa Monica with lots of walking and dog parks nearby. I’d even take the dog to the Huntington Beach dog beach. But none of his was good enough for these folks. I passed the home inspection (everybody passes) and gave a $ 50 donation, more the $ 20 minimum. Then, I started applying for dogs. For a month, I was consistently rejected, usually being told it was because I didn’t have a yard (duh) or there were too many better applicants. I gave up and found a great Golden rescue from another group, The Loved Dog. I also learned that SCGRR is something of a scam. If you look carefully at their website, you’ll see that most listed dogs have already been adopted and are left on the site as a tease. They apparently collect minimum donations of $ 20 for their so called home inspection and then have few dogs for the dozens of hopeful families. I would avoid this group.

After filling out the very long application we were told that you wouldn’t accept our application because they don’t adopt out to anyone who is not home for seven or more hours. We are not home for 7 hours and 15 minutes. I’m sure they want the best for their dogs, and that’s great. They should, however, be more clear in their website about their criteria. I spent a lot of time filling out their application for nothing. They also recommended I get a dog from a shelter. Hmmm. Think I will try another rescue but ask up front about time requirements.

I had a similar bad experience — I’m sure it’s because I live in a condo instead of a house with a yard. I aske if they judged a prospected adopter by that, and that a dog just wants to be loved and go out for walks and hikes in the canyons and parks rather than just a BY… She said she agreed
I recently lost my golden retriever whom I had since a puppy and had a very happy and wonderful life… I even have a very large fenced in patio. But everytime I try to get a dog, I never get one.
On there facebook page they put up all the pictures of the dog in his new home with his new owners… And every single one of them are in a house with a back yard.
Makes me sad that they take your $ 20 donation but won’t let you adopt a dog
There snobs and picky who they let adopt.
These dogs will be either fostered or boarded out at a vet until adopted!
When they could probably all be adopted out.
And if they would adopt out all the fosters it would make room to bring in another dog locked up in a cage at the vet.
They will always do a home check– that’s how they keep bringing in the money!
Good luck if you live in an apartment or condo!!! They will get many requests for a dog and will only choose a family in a house with yard :(

Our experience was not so positive with this group. They gladly took our donation and did our house check. They did not express any reservations about our home, where we have raised three healthy dogs to the ripe age of 18, including 2 retrievers. Then they said to look over the dogs on the website and let them know which interested us. We inquired about 4 or 5 dogs and each time there was an excuse as to why they would not give us that dog. Often the excuse was something lame like «Oh that dog is too puppyish.» We had an even worse experience with Pet Harbor in Gardena. Did I mention that we live on almost a ½ acre of doggie playland, fully fenced, and have three boys who love their dogs to tears? After that we realized that ironically the only sane place to get a dog was the pound or another owner wishing to relinquish their dog. We found a lovely 4 month old golden on Craigslist, whose single mom owner realized she did not have the time to housetrain her dog, let alone give it adequate attention. Our dog is now almost 3, obedience trained, happy, and healthy. Beware dog rescue organizations who love their dogs so much that they think a cage is a better home than yours is.
Incidentally, an acquaintance asked me last month, after she tried to adopt a golden when hers died, «Which was that rescue place that would not give you a dog?» She had the same experience!

We found our DREAM DOG Buddy at the SCGRR. The process of adopting was easy — application, house check, and that was it, and each part was with lovely people. They were very accommodating and helpful. We found them much easier to work with than other Socal golden retriever organization we worked with, who charged a fee and then made it difficult for us to get a dog. We would highly recommend them to anyone and we would go back in a second if we wanted another dog. Cannot recommend ENOUGH!

Wonderful caring group of volunteers who take displaced and homeless golden retrievers and place them into best home matches. Dogs are all fostered, not kenneled, so full eveluation of the dogs needs and temperment are accomplished. If you are looking to adopt a golden retriever, volunteer, or know some one that needs to re-​home their golden retriever, I highly reccomend this group.