These people are only out to get your money. Requiring a payment before providing details is deceptive, misleading, and immoral. My short experience makes the additional negative postings ring true. They are not in to helping dogs get loving homes they just want to wield what little power they over people - feeding off their ability to judge and condemn. IN ADDITION: They mark your "application fee" as a "donation" to avert liability for fraudulent practices. read more

My Experience with Adopt a Golden Atlanta I want to share my recent experience in hopes it helps others who may be considering applying. I submitted an application with Adopt a Golden Atlanta and paid the $25 application fee. At the time, I did not see any mention on their website that proof of vaccinations and preventatives for all pets in the household would be required before approval. Learning about this only after payment was disappointing and felt like important information that should have been made clear up front. I was also surprised to find that the organization reached out to my veterinarian and obtained details about my pets without my knowledge or consent. This left me feeling uncomfortable, as veterinary records are generally private and I would have preferred to provide any necessary documentation myself. In the end, my application was denied, and I feel the process could have been handled with greater transparency and communication. I respect and appreciate the work rescue organizations do for animals, but I believe it's equally important that applicants are treated with honesty, respect, and privacy. Sharing this so others are aware of my experience before applying. read more

Adoption process was LONG but they vet their candidates very well. We were able to adopt a Golden that a breeder surrendered. Very happy with our fur-ever friend! read more

Submitted application & paid their application fee, but NO reply. Followed up on their website, but no reply. Are they in the business of collecting fees or placing goldens, not sure. read more

Alli and this organization helped me tremendously through the process of rehoming my golden doodle. This was a hard process for me but Alli was super helpful, attentive, and caring throughout everything. I would recommend this rescue if you need a caring and supportive team to back you up on your process. Thank you guys! read more

AdoptaGoldenAtlanta is a great Golden Retriever rescue where I have adopted all of my Golden's from for the past 15 years. The volunteers are amazing and the love they have for this role is above and beyond. I highly recommend this organization for anyone needing to place a dog or adopt a dog. read more

Adopt A Golden helped me find my little Bella so I have to give them five stars! I found her at one of their adoption days at the Petsmart in Buckhead after scouting out the adoptees on the website. The website is great - you can get a little background and see a picture before you go to the adoption day. The website also gives you instructions on how to get the application and approval process started so that you're all approved and ready to find the doggie of your dreams. I submitted my application online, paid my application fee (via PayPal) and was quickly contacted by a volunteer who would guide me through the adoption process. She informed me when my application was approved and then set about arranging a home visit by another volunteer so they could check everything out. I was nervous but it really was no big deal and I was also quickly informed that I had passed that evaluation, as well. Before going to an adoption day, they advised me to check out the website and make some notes about dogs I might want to meet. The website has information like whether the dog needs a fenced in yard, the company of another dog, special care, and also gives some background on the dog and a picture. I had complete notes with me when I got there, and they helped, but once I saw Bella, who wasn't on my list, I pretty much knew that she was my doggie. When I left adoption day, I indicated that I was interested in her. When they checked with me a day later, I told them I was very interested and that she was the one. It took some time to actually get her because her foster parents wanted to evaluate her a bit more to make sure she'd be OK, in addition to making a visit to my home to make sure she felt comfortable there. After that, it was only another day and then she came to my home for good. I have been contacted by people from Adopt A Golden on multiple occasions since I got Bella to make sure we're doing OK. They do an excellent job of following up. They also did an excellent job of evaluating me (the adopter) and Bella (the adoptee) throughout the whole process to make sure everything was going to be right. They are very organized and they do make every effort to make sure the dogs are getting a good home. I highly recommend Adopt A Golden. read more

Adopt A Golden Atlanta is one of the best things that ever happened to Golden Retrievers in GA, in the entire Southeast, actually. I lived in Atlanta until 2010 and adopted my first wonderful golden from AGA. She was the love of my life. I also fostered many orphans for this rescue and that was a great experience. I know for a fact that AGA charges less for adoption fees than the average vet service cost of each dog they accept into the rescue. I have seen them spend $1000's to save a couple of small purebred, beautiful puppies with Parvo I pulled from a sewer of a shelter somewhere in rural GA and thousands more to rehab many dog from injuries sustained or emotional damage that is affecting their behavior, not to mention every dog is spayed or neutered who isn't already and updated on all their shots. 100 percent of the fees for adoption go toward saving the dogs and vet bills and they still have to have fund raising events to pick up the slack. Often goldens are tied up at shelter gates in the middle of the night so the owners can slink away without admitting what they are doing. Getting a dog from AGA can be a little annoying to some and may seem like they are getting too personal in the screening process but please remember, their first responsibility is to the dogs they are placing. When a dog is surrendered by his owner for whatever reason, the dog only sees he's been abandoned by his mom or dad- the people he worships and adore the most. This is very traumatic for a dog and the goal of the screening is to find the dog his forever home so he isn't re-traumatized. Remember, a dog is a sentient being with the capability to feel many of the emotions you feel. Orphans are often runners when they first get to their forever homes and can be cagey escape artists. Hence, all the questions about your fencing, home situation and so on. There are many that are not flight risks that suit your life better than one you saw on the website and thought you must have. I just want to address the few negative reviews I've seen in this column. First, trust me, nobody is "making money" on the adoptions of these Goldens. Try buying a purebred GR from a reputable breeder and see how many thousands it will cost you and if it IS a reputable breeder they will put you through the same screening process that any reputable rescue uses. Again, the goal is to make sure the dog does not wind up back in rescue. Reputable breeders also must complete due diligence before breeding their female, including DNA testing and making sure the heritage has been vetted well to prevent breed-specific problems like hip dysplasias and other genetic predispositions to various ailments. It's not a job for the the novice. When I was there fully 30% of the dogs we got in had active heart worm disease because they weren't treated with preventative medication. This is expensive to treat but must be treated and always is treated with every one of their dogs who have it. Along with torn ACL's and a multitude of problems including saving dogs who have been shot and left to die. (Yes, for real). So please try to understand the necessity of the fees. They still have to have fund raisers every year to pick up the slack not covered by the adoption fees. And for other reviewers who have issues and bitter complaints about AGA, I can guarantee that they aren't telling the whole story. If a dog had to be put down (which is very rare and only done when all options have been exhausted) the right decision is never unilateral. They have a working board of volunteers who love and support the breed and give generously of their time, expertise and money (and no 3 figure donation, either. It's significant) to serve. All volunteers mourn these rare and heartbreaking situations. The screeners and home checkers are trying hard to determine what kind of dog and temperament is right for you and if you are really prepared to make a commitment to this dog for 10-15 years, no matter what. If not, get a stuffed animal. This is a family member. You wouldn't give your child away if you had to move would you? So you get a divorce and have to downsize-- suck it up and realize your loyal dog didn't have anything to do with it and deserves to go with you so you need to know in your head that you will make it work no matter what. That's how real dog lovers see things. Consider the yearly expense of the dog. Can you afford it? What about emergencies? Can you afford them? Thanks for taking the time to read this long review. I'm hoping to put a few things in perspective. This is a very well organized and well run organization with a mission to save and find good homes for all golden retrievers possible in their care and never to let a golden retriever die alone. Sounds pretty decent to me and they DO live up to it. read more

I love golden retrievers. I grew up with a very sweet one who died in 2005 and I missed having her around. My first experience with Adopt a Golden Atlanta was going to adoption day with a friend who ended up meeting the dog that day she would eventually adopt. I loved the experience at adoption day. So many cute dogs in one room. It made me miss my Chesnut a lot. A few months later I decided to become a foster. I am on my third dog now and have had a great experience. Given that I live in an apartment and am a student, I am not really at the point that I want a permanent dog to take care of financially. Fostering has been a great experience. All I really have to pay for is the food and I get a sweet dog to look after until they are adopted. Everyone I have dealt with who works for AGA has been extremely helpful and very dedicated to their work. Any questions I have had have been dealt with promptly and efficiently. AGA makes sure every dog is current on all their vaccinations and is spayed and or neutered. Every potential adopter is very aware of the dog they will be adopting and that honesty is essential in securing a permanent home for each dog. I love dogs and hate to see any dog without a home. If you love dogs and especially goldens, go to www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com and check out the current orphans. read more

My husband and I went to Douglasville animal shelter to adopt a golden puppy , after her 5 day hold time was up. At the same time a rep. from adopt a golden rescue was there as well to "adopt" the same puppy. We were shocked that we couldn't adopt her right there because she was being claimed by this rescue for re-adoption but told that we would have to go thru there adoption process instead which was $1000. not $150 from the County shelter. If this organization was truly interested in getting these dogs a forever home the rep should have allowed us to adopt the dog from the shelter. We left feeling that this organization wants to restrict who is able to adopt a golden. read more

My sister had her 8 year old Golden Retriever surrendered there from Cobb County Animal Shelter with an agreement that the rescue will keep updated of her condition and what they made of her. They did not tell my sister that they put her to sleep. My sister had to follow up with them and it is burdening to see the forwarded email. I hope that lady who did it suffers the same faith to her Golden Retrievers. They owe us one. It seems like they care but they forget about others. And the intake coordinator is ALWAYS posting on Craigslist. read more

I saw online that adopt a golden had taken in a lost golden did not inform animal control , took the golden to the vet . A few days later the owner comes looking for the dog and sees a lady on Facebook had found and given her golden to adopt a golden !! The owner contacted adopt a golden and she was informed that she needed to pay the $4000 vet bill and that she wasn't fit to get her dog back !! The dog is 12 !!! This is ridiculous ! They won't return her dog ! They broke the law by not informing the shelter and following the stray hold !! Shame on this so called rescue !! I hope they get shut down !! read more

If you ever have some extra money to give to a charity and you love dogs this is your place. We got our golden from AGA about 5 years ago and it have brought some much love into our house. If you ever want to adopt a pet this is your place. read more

I wish this was not my second time writing a poor review of this organization, but unfortunately it is something I am all too familiar with. Between my Mom and I, we have adopted three of your Goldens. My mom, who has owned 5 golden retrievers in her lifetime, two of which have lived to the age of 17 and one to 16, recently said goodbye to her second Adopt-A-Golden adoptee six months after her first passed away at 17. She has been trying to adopt a new golden from you for almost three months now and your treatment of her has been nothing short of despicable. She meets dogs at adoption days, asks to have a second meeting as your protocol dictates, follows up with her contact, only to be told that the dog has been adopted. She picks orphans on the website she is interested in and is quickly told, "the website is incorrect, this orphan is not available." She is never allowed to meet with any of the dogs she likes because "the foster has the final say" despite the fact the foster never was at adoption day with the dog. Her ability to take of the dogs is constantly questioned regardless of the fact that she has been a previous adopter and treats her dogs literally like her children as evidenced by their long life. She has a "Golden Retriever wall in her house with pictures of every Golden she has ever had. Yet she is still is looked at like a criminal trying to adopt a dog. Her vet references always check out. There is no straight reason ever given as to why she did not receive a dog. She is told by her application manager that "they have too many applicants and not enough dogs" and then a few hours later sees on your Facebook and Instagram page an "Applicants Needed" post. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, this is not the first time your organization has acted in this manner. My husband and I were treated the exact same way when we adopted our rescue, Napa, whom we still have 10 years later. We were lied to about which dogs we could adopt and the manner in which we could adopt them. We were told we weren't a desirable candidate because we didn't have kids and in the same breath told we wouldn't get a dog because we might have kids. (This was 10 years ago before we had kids) It wasn't until my husband posted a negative Yelp review that your founder finally called and apologized for the lies and miscommunication that we finally received our Napa. Adopt-a-Golden you should be ashamed of yourself. The manner in which you treat people is deplorable. To even associate yourself with the most, snuggly, unbiased dog is an insult to the breed as they would never treat someone the way you have treated my Mom and I. I am constantly befuddled by not only how you get away with it, but how you can justify it as an organization. You use these wonderful creatures as excuses to, lie, deceive, and insult. In writing this post, I can only hope the past repeats itself and your founder calls my Mom to apologize for what she has been told and how she has been treated and she is given a dog. The worst part is by doing this, you are not only depriving a golden of its best golden life possible, but you are causing a self proclaimed, dog talking to on the street as they walk by woman, to feel 2 feet tall when the only thing she wants to do is to provide a loving home for the next member of her Golden Wall. read more