The Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (TVGRR) is a not for profit organization chartered by the state of Tennessee to provide healthy homes for pure bred Golden Retrievers who have been abused, abandoned, or surrendered by their owners.

This page provides general information concerning the Golden Retriever breed and the policies and procedures followed by the TVGRR in placing Goldens into their new homes. Many of the Goldens placed by the TVGRR have been in a foster home which enables the TVGRR to better assess the temperament of each Golden for matching to the appropriate permanent home and provides prospective owners the opportunity to visit the Golden in a non-kennel environment.

The Golden Retriever is an active dog reaching 75 or more pounds at full growth and requires daily exercise and attention. They need to be fed a premium quality dog food to help keep them in good condition. Food, vet services, and training can easily cost $500.00 per year. Their coat is long and sheds year round and can worsen allergy conditions. However, the impact of their shedding can be reduced with frequent grooming and brushing. While they have a very gentle mouth, they do enjoy chewing and should be provided with the appropriate items for chewing exercise. The Golden Retriever has a very loving disposition and it thrives on personal attention. Golden Retriever's placed by the TVGRR are not suited for an outside-only life and require a place in the home. Since the Golden Retriever lives to satisfy its family, obedience training is strongly recommended to ensure maximum bonding and mutual satisfaction.

An adoption fee, based on the age of the dog, helps defer TVGRR's cost of medical treatment (examinations, spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm check and micro-chipping) and kenneling provided before the Golden is adopted. Senior Goldens (older than 8 years) and Goldens with special (medical/physical) needs may be adopted at a reduced fee depending on the situation. For dogs 1-7 years of age, the fee is $175; for dogs 8-10, $100; and for dogs over 10 years old, we appreciate a donation.

The TVGRR will not normally place a Golden in a home environment that does not provide for attention during the day as well as a fenced yard for safety and exercise purposes. The TVGRR attempts to place their Goldens in the appropriate home environment and several interviews may be held between the prospective owners and the TVGRR adoption committee. Please note that the TVGRR does not endorse underground/hidden fences as appropriate long term containment, as these fences do not protect the dog from other dogs/animals and they do not provide the same degree of containment as a physical fence.