GRRALL is a foster based organization based out of the DFW Metroplex.
We have no paid staff and are all volunteers. We are unable to answer individual questions without an adoption application. We have compiled a list of questions that are frequently asked. If you have a question that is not adoption related, please email us at grralliance@gmail.com. If you have a question on a specific dog not answered below, please submit an adoption application at www.grralliance.org/adopt.

Q: How much does it cost to adopt from GRRALL?
A: All GRRALL dogs are $400. We require an additional spay/neuter deposit for dogs under 6 months of $100.

Q: Do I have to have a fence to adopt a dog from GRRALL?
A: Homes with a backyard must have the yard fully enclosed with secure fencing. We strongly prefer fencing of at least 6’ high. We will consider a 4’ fence, but there are limitations. Very young dogs, dogs who are particularly athletic, or dogs with a history of escape attempts will not be considered for homes with a fence shorter than 6’.

Q: I live in an apartment/condo/townhome. Does that preclude me from adoption?
A: No. As long as your apartment/condo/townhome allows dogs, we’d be happy to review your application. We do not place dogs under 18 months in apartments/condos/townhomes and certain dogs are not a good fit for apartment/condo/townhome life. However, we are happy to consider it for the right dog. We’ll check with your landlord about permission and pet deposits. The pet deposit must be paid before a GRRALL dog is placed with the family. Most families opt to pay it once a home visit has been completed.

Q: Do you adopt dogs to people who live outside of the DFW Metroplex?
A: Unfortunately, no. Our service area is limited to Dallas and Tarrant counties and the immediate bordering counties – Wise, Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, Hood, and Parker counties. Click here for a listing of Golden Retriever rescue groups across the U.S.

Q: Do you adopt Goldens to families with small children (under age 5)?
A: We do not place dogs into homes with children under age five. In our experience, it is better to wait until children are older (5+) before introducing a large dog into the home. While Goldens can make wonderful family pets, we have found over our decades of collective experience that things tend to work out better when children are a bit older. The following are some links to information on safe dog-child interaction and dog behavior/body language. We have found these resources helpful and like to pass them on to our applicants with young children for reference now or in the future. This information is also helpful for adults, as many people are unaware of how to read dog body language.
http://www.sunshinedog.com/freebies
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs/
http://doggonesafe.com/dog_detective
http://doggonesafe.com/To-Do-&-Not-To-Do

Q: Where can I come and see the dogs?
A: GRRALL does not have a physical location. All of our dogs live with foster families in private homes throughout the DFW Metroplex. We do host meet and greets multiple times each month. Please check our calendar of events (grralliance.org/calendar-of-events) for information about how to meet our available dogs. We post the list of attending dogs to our Facebook page a day or so before each event. If you have an approved application, you will also receive a reminder email the day before.

Q: How often do you get puppies?
A: It varies widely. We almost never get purebred Golden puppies under six months of age. We sporadically have Golden-mix puppies.

Q: I want to adopt a puppy. Are there special requirements?
A: Yes. Puppy adopters must live in a house with a fully enclosed yard. No apartments, please. A 6’ fence is generally required. Puppy adopters must be experienced dog owners. We do not place puppies with applicants who have never had a dog. Additionally, we do not adopt puppies to families with children under age 10 or so. While they may start off small, Golden puppies get big quickly and are often quite rambunctious. They can easily knock a smaller child down and during their mouthy stage of using their puppy teeth on anything and everything, it can be a bit much for younger kiddos.

Q: I’m interested in a dog I saw online! What is the next step?
A: Please submit an online adoption application (grralliance.org/adopt). A GRRALL volunteer will be in touch with you shortly.

Q: I submitted an adoption application and I’m dying to meet a dog I saw online. When will I hear something?
A: We will touch base with you via email within a few days after you submit your application. Please be patient! We are all volunteers with full-time jobs, family commitments, and/or foster dogs. If you haven’t heard anything within five business days, please email us at grralladopts@gmail.com. Also, make sure to check your junk mail in case our reply email landed there.

Q: How does the adoption process work?
A: After you submit your application, a volunteer will do an initial review to determine if the application meets our basic requirements. You will either receive a confirmation email stating the next steps or a reply informing you that we will not be able to place a dog with you. Please note that it can take several days to receive a response, as our volunteers have many applications to sort through and are only able to attend to GRRALL business in their free time.

We then do a more thorough review of the application and assuming all goes well, your application is sent to another volunteer for an adoption interview. The interview is an informal chat to get to know you better and learn more about what you’re looking for in a dog. It’s also a great opportunity for you to ask questions about our process.

Attendance at a meet and greet event is the next step and is a required part of the adoption process. Meet and greets give you a chance to interact with the dogs and make your choice as to which pup you think is right for you. It also allows our adoption coordinator and foster families to get to know you and to get a feel for whether a particular dog would be a good match for you or not. We do not do private meetings between applicants and dogs unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. a dog is too anxious, medically unable to attend, etc.).

If you are matched with a dog following a meet and greet, the final step is the home visit. A volunteer will come out to your home to check and make sure it is appropriate for the dog, fencing is secure, etc. The foster family will typically bring the dog with whom you have been matched so that you can have another opportunity to interact and make sure it is the right fit. After the home visit, arrangements will be made to finalize the adoption.

It is quite the process, but our goal is always to make the best possible match between the needs of both the dog and the people. We want our dogs to have their perfect forever family and our adopters to have a forever dog so that everyone is happy in the long-run.

Q: I’ve filled out an application and met the dog at a meet and greet. What happens next?
A: If the foster parent feels that your family is a good fit, a home visit will be scheduled. A volunteer (usually the foster parent) will bring the foster dog to your house and see how he/she interacts with your family. The volunteer will also verify that your yard is adequately fenced. If the foster family feels that it is a good match, arrangements will be made to finalize the adoption. If you are not matched with a dog you will receive notification via email within a week of the event. Please be patient, as it can take a few days for our adoption coordinator to make initial matches and for foster families to review their top picks.

Q: I can’t come to the meet and greet. May I still be considered?
A: It is unlikely but possible in rare circumstances. We do some adoptions by appointment in between meet and greets, but this is generally when there are unusual circumstances. If the dog has several families coming to meet him/her, the foster probably won’t consider a family they haven’t met. Don’t worry though! We get new dogs in every week. We can’t consider anyone without an application so please submit one! Puppies are primarily adopted by appointment only.

Q: What is a home visit and why do you require one?
A: A home visit is a quick review by one of our volunteers. We need to make sure your home is suitable and ready for a new furry family member. We check the fences, ask and view where the dog will sleep, eat, and be kept when you are gone, chat about Goldens, and get a feel for day to day life for a dog in your home. We require a home visit to verify that your home is a good placement for a GRRALL dog. It is an integral part of our adoption process. If you are uncomfortable with a home visit, please adopt from your local animal shelter, as they may not require a home visit.

Q: What if someone else adopts the dog I want?
A: GRRALL rescues and places many dogs in their forever homes each year. We have a lot of experience placing dogs, and our commitment is to always place a dog with a family that is the best possible match for her or him. But don’t worry! If the dog you had your eye on gets adopted by another family, we hope that you will celebrate the fact that the dog found a forever family—and then come out to another meet and greet and get to know some of our other lovable Goldens. It often takes several rounds of events to find “the one.”

Q: Is the dog I’m interested in a purebred Golden?
A: We don’t know. Registration papers (AKC, CKC etc.) are not conclusive evidence of genealogy. We have taken in many dogs “with papers” that are obvious mixes. If we label the dog as a mix, then we know he or she is a Golden Retriever mix. If the dog looks like a Golden Retriever and is not labeled as a mix, then we believe them to be a purebred Golden but they may be mixes. We do know that all of our dogs have a Golden heart and will make wonderful companions.

Q: How long does it take to get matched with a dog?
A: It varies. It may be a few days or a few months. We take placing our dogs very seriously. Every decision we make is in the best interest of the foster dog.

Q: Can I adopt a dog as a present for my family member or friend?
A: No. Dogs are a lifetime commitment and not one that should ever be a surprise or given as a gift. All members of the family of the potential owner must be a part of the adoption process from start to finish.

Q: Whom do I contact to surrender my Golden or alert GRRALL of a Golden in need of rescue?
A: If you would like to surrender a dog, please submit a surrender application and email a picture to grralliance@gmail.com. If you know of a dog in need of rescue, please email all known information and a picture (if possible) to grralliance@gmail.com.

Q: I want to volunteer for GRRALL! Whom do I contact?
A: Please submit a volunteer application (grralliance.org/applications/volunteer-application) and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch.

Q: I want to foster a dog! Whom do I contact?
A: Please submit a foster application (grralliance.org/applications/foster-application) and foster agreeement (grralliance.org/applications/foster-agreement) and our foster coordinator will be in touch.

Q: I want to donate to GRRALL! How do I do that?
A: Thank you! Donations can be made via the link on our website: https://grralliance.org/donate/

Q: I have a question not answered on this page.
A: Please email grralliance@gmail.com and we will be in touch. Any questions about specific dogs require an application to be on file.