GRRF has an adoption application! If you see a dog that interests you, you can fill out an application and a volunteer will get back to you. Oftentimes, we accept applications for a few days to a week before reviewing all applications for a specific dog. We review all applications and place our dogs with families who will suit them best. Just because your application is not selected for a dog, does not mean your application is not good! Our dog's happiness and health are always our top priorities so we must make the hard decision of selecting only one family that is the best fit.

Sometimes there is a waiting period due to a lack of animals. Remember, this is a good thing!

At GRRF, we aren't "first come, first served." We are a volunteer-run, foster-based rescue dedicated to making the right match the first time around. Because we don't have a central facility, we coordinate everything around the busy lives of our volunteers and foster families.

1. The application

Once a dog is medically cleared and GRRF understands their needs, we post them on our website and social media. To be considered, you must submit an application.

2. Review & Matching

Our Adoption Coordinator reviews every application against the dog’s specific needs. We then contact the applicants who best fit that dog’s personality and lifestyle.

3. The Meet & Greet

Because our dogs live in private foster homes, we only schedule meet-and-greets for selected applicants. This is a chance for all humans and resident dogs to meet in a neutral space to see if the chemistry is right.

5. The 2-Week Trial Period

If the meet-and-greet is a success, the dog begins a 14-day home trial. This allows the dog to settle into your routine. If it’s not a perfect fit, the dog returns to GRRF. Which is totally fine! It sometimes takes a couple tries to find the right dog.

6. Finalization

At the end of a successful trial period, we meet to sign the adoption contract, transfer medical records, and collect the adoption fee. Congratulations—it’s official!

• A Note on Puppies: GRRF remains the point of contact for all "Golden Package" vet appointments (vaccines and spay/neuter) until they are completed.

Please note: This process is a guideline and may be adjusted to meet the specific needs of an individual dog or family.

GRRF’s adoption fee is $400 for all dogs regardless of age or breed!

The adoption fee helps cover a portion of each dog’s medical care. All GRRF dogs receive veterinary care at either North Pole Veterinary Hospital or Aurora Animal Clinic. We also use Mt. McKinley Animal Hospital for emergencies and in cases of owner surrender to their veterinary office.

All GRRF dogs receive what we like to call the “Golden Package,” which includes:

• all vaccines required to be fully vaccinated (3 shot appointments for puppies)

• microchip

• spay/neuter (puppies required and enforced to be completed by 6 months of age)

• hip x-rays to check for signs of hip dysplasia

• pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure everything is functioning as it should

GRRF dogs over the age of 7 receive a few additional tests to ensure they are starting their new journey with a healthy foot forward. Dogs 7 and older also receive chest and abdominal x-rays to make sure everything looks good and are upgraded to a full bloodwork panel to check additional levels and provide a baseline to families to use as a comparison should the dog need any additional bloodwork later on in life.

Should any GRRF dog have any concerning test results or show any concerning signs or symptoms, GRRF will provide the dog with additional medical care. This can include dental work, MRIs, ultrasounds, echocardiograms, medications, and more. GRRF will continue to care for the dog and work with our veterinary partners to help bring the dog back to good health before allowing the dog to be adopted.

GRRF is often asked to take in and care for special, high-medical need dogs. GRRF welcomes these dogs with open arms when resources allow and rely on our community and sponsors to help us provide them with the best veterinary care.

GRRF believes a high adoption fee should not be a barrier to great families who would otherwise provide a wonderful life to our dogs. We try hard to keep fees as low as we can. The average GRRF dog can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,200 in veterinary care before they are medically cleared for adoption. GRRF fundraises throughout the year and uses donations from local community members to help offset costs and allow our adoptive families to welcome a new (and healthy) family member at a relatively low upfront cost.

You can be assured that we received your application. However, we are a volunteer-run rescue and cannot respond to every application we receive. As such, we will only contact you if we have additional questions about your application OR you are chosen to meet one of our dogs.

If you are not contacted to meet the dog you applied for, please know, it’s not personal. Your application remains on file and can be transferred to future dogs. You just need to let us know by sending an email to info@grrf.org.

Yes. 100% GRRF is a rescue and not in the business of making puppies with our dogs while in our care or in the care of their future families.
GRRF puppies wait until 6 months to be spayed/neutered with no exceptions. GRRF pays for the spay/neuter, see the above question for more info! GRRF puppies are not placed into homes with other intact dogs due to this.

GRRF’s adoption coordinator keeps in close contact with families while awaiting the 6-month mark to ensure all puppies are fixed by this deadline. This requirement is enforced and puppies who’s families fail to comply are taken back into GRRF care.

Yes! GRRF serves all of Alaska (:

While location is a factor that we consider, it is not an end-all be-all. GRRF’s top priority is always the health and happiness of our dogs and sometimes that total happiness is 6 hours away in Anchorage (;

GRRF puppies are less likely to be adopted to families outside of Fairbanks due to the many GRRF-paid appointments and 6-month waiting period for spay/neuter. This does not mean we won’t adopt a puppy outside of Fairbanks, we’ve done it before!

TRAVEL/MEET INFO:

All applicants outside of the Fairbanks area interested in a GRRF dog are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to meet with the dog prior to our mandatory trial period (see GRRF adoption process above). GRRF does not and will not “ship” or “fly” or “send” any dog to any family. Adoptive families must travel to Fairbanks to meet with the dog and arrange the dog’s travel if approved to begin the trial process. The family must also be able and willing to transport the dog back to GRRF if the trial period does not work out. GRRF can often help in the scenario of a dog being returned to GRRF.

GRRF does not and will not “fly” or “send” or “ship” any dog to any family. See above question for more info!

A foster home is a temporary home filled with lots of love that our dogs stay with while awaiting adoption! A foster home provides all care for the dog while it resides with them, including water, shelter, exercise, and socialization. GRRF provides all necessary foods or medications. A foster family is very important in placing the dog with the right adoptive family. They are responsible for helping judge the characteristics that make each animal unique. If you would like to become a foster home for dogs in our rescue program, please read more about fostering and fill out our foster application, call or email us if you have questions at (907) 479-5577 or info@grrf.org.

Goldens are companion animals, not backyard dogs. They are an active breed. Males weigh from 65 to 75 pounds. Females weigh from 55 to 65 lbs. Mixes may be larger. Their long hair requires brushing and they shed. Goldens are eager to please and they learn quickly. They love to retrieve many kinds of objects and clothing. As with any breed, there are possible health concerns such as hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, cancer, cataracts, allergies and heart problems.

They can live up to 15 years, however 10 to 12 is average.Item description

Sometimes, but most often dogs are older than one year. Most puppies that GRRF receives are not purebred golden retrievers. If you are interested in puppies, we encourage you to get more information through the following links:
Golden Retriever Club of America - questions to ask when purchasing puppy
Advice from Marcia Kardatzke, Golden Retriever Club of America

Locally, we know there are problems with several breeders here in Fairbanks, mostly hip and cancer problems. Several breeders in the area have not had their dogs checked for even the most basic health concerns prior to breeding. Remember that you are investing the next 10 to 15 years of your life and love in this animal. Wouldn't you want to know your new pup came from a reputable breeder?

Please also beware of Craigslist - unfortunately, there are people who will adopt animals from the shelter or even steal dogs and try and sell them on Craigslist for profit. A good indicator is how much information the seller has about the dogs. Reputable breeders will use venues other than Craigslist for their pups. We encourage you to speak to your veterinarian about local breeders.

We have our adoption process to avoid these situations, but if it happens, the dog must be surrendered back to GRRF. Each GRRF adoption is finalized with a signed adoption contract. In our contract it states that GRRF dogs cannot be rehomed or surrendered to other people or other rescues or shelters.

Yes. Most Goldens are well-tempered and love people. However, small children should never be left alone with any dog. We encourage all adoptive families to enroll in obedience training; it is a great way to have fun and bond with your dog.

No, every dog has their own quirks and set of requirements but no fence is not a deal-breaker for most GRRF dogs!Most Goldens are extremely friendly and want to meet everyone in the neighborhood. Rescued dogs may have come from a home where they were not well-treated and therefore may have a tendency to wander. You must take responsibility and no dog should be unattended when loose outside.

We are here to help. Our board consists of animal behaviorists and breed experts. We are happy to answer your questions free of charge for the love of dogs! Just email us if you have questions at info@grrf.org.

We often have requests to accept special needs shelter dogs, or dogs relinquished due to a lack of funds for necessary medical procedures. With your help, we are able to take these animals into the GRRF program and provide them a second chance at life. We also use monies to purchase educational materials, which may not be covered in adoption fees. We can always use your time in fundraising activities to support our efforts.