Before You Apply, Please Consider This Important Information
When our rescue began in 2005, there was an abundance of purebred Golden Retrievers in need of homes. As the years have gone on, those numbers have declined greatly. Thus, SGRR has been taking in more mixed breeds than purebred Goldens. If you are only interested in adopting a purebred Golden Retriever, SGRR is probably not the rescue group for you.
Additionally, because our dogs are in high demand, 90% of our adoptions are direct adoptions from the south. If you feel you must meet a dog prior to adopting, then again, we are probably not the right group for you.
Additionally, because our dogs are in high demand, 90% of our adoptions are direct adoptions from the south. If you feel you must meet a dog prior to adopting, then again, we are probably not the right group for you.
A Note to Our Approved Applicants
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Applicants often ask how long it will take to adopt a dog. Sunshine, like many other rescue groups in the country, is currently in the enviable position of having many more terrific families and individuals approved and waiting to adopt a rescue dog than we have dogs. We wish that each of you could bring a rescue dog into your life as soon as you are approved to adopt. Knowing that is not possible, we ask for your patience and understanding as you await your dog. Our volunteers spend many, many hours evaluating our dogs and working on the right match to help ensure each dog finds a happy and forever home. For some of you, there will be a very short wait for a dog, while others will wait longer than hoped. This is simply a matter of getting the right match and does not reflect negatively on anyone. We are fortunate to have so many kind and giving people waiting to welcome home a dog in need. Thank you for your trust in Sunshine. We are hoping your wait will not be a long one!
Reasons to rescue...
Rescuing will change two lives forever — yours and your new companion's. Nationwide, animal shelters care for between 6-8 million dogs and cats every year, of whom 3–4 million are euthanized. The tragic fact is that there are simply not enough responsible homes for all of these wonderful, innocent animals. On occasion, SGRR will have puppies available for adoption that will be starting their lives, and some are older dogs who have been well cared for but whose owners can no longer keep them due to a change in circumstances. Many rescued dogs come to us sad and confused, and many have been neglected or abused. These sweet souls will require time and love, and often continued patience and behavioral work. Companion animals are remarkably adaptable and forgiving, with a boundless capacity for love. Their inner personalities will emerge as they feel more comfortable. While we begin the process with vetting and evaluations, their adopters are part of the rescue process and will be rewarded by seeing their new companions blossom! Just because they lived with someone else first, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t make a wonderful companion for you! If you can open your heart to one of these dogs in need, we encourage you to apply and become part of rescue.
Adoptable Dogs
Covey
Click to read about me!
Good with Kids and Dogs!
Breed: Golden/Lab Retriever mix
Color: Yellowish Gold
Age: 3.5 years
Size: 67 lbs
Sex: Male
Covey is looking for his forever home since one of the children in his former home developed severe allergies. Covey is good with other dogs and is ready to be loved and give love in return. Read more about him on his bio page.
Breed: Golden/Lab Retriever mix
Color: Yellowish Gold
Age: 3.5 years
Size: 67 lbs
Sex: Male
Covey is looking for his forever home since one of the children in his former home developed severe allergies. Covey is good with other dogs and is ready to be loved and give love in return. Read more about him on his bio page.
Sky
Click to read about me!
The Sky's the Limit!
Breed: Flat-Coated Retriever mix
Color: Black with White
Age: 1.5 years
Size: 55 lbs
Sex: Male
A victim of difficult economic times, Sky is seeking his forever home with adopters who love to play ball! Sky is good with other dogs and is ready to bring happiness to your world. Read more about this handsome guy on his bio age.
Breed: Flat-Coated Retriever mix
Color: Black with White
Age: 1.5 years
Size: 55 lbs
Sex: Male
A victim of difficult economic times, Sky is seeking his forever home with adopters who love to play ball! Sky is good with other dogs and is ready to bring happiness to your world. Read more about this handsome guy on his bio age.
Adoptions Pending
The dogs listed below have Adoptions Pending. This means they are spoken for - the adoption contract has been signed and the adoption fee has been paid. Once the dog is medically cleared, he or she will go to their forever home.
Jemma
Somebody loves me and I will be going home soon!
Breed: Golden-Hearted Mix
Color: Gold and white
Age: 7-8 years
Size: 28 lbs
Sex: Female
Meet Jemma, an adorable senior girl who found herself in a rural Louisiana shelter waiting patiently for someone to notice her and give her a home. She is a happy girl, with big brown eyes and a smile to match, who loves to prance in her yard and get attention. Read more about sweet little Jemma on her bio page.
Breed: Golden-Hearted Mix
Color: Gold and white
Age: 7-8 years
Size: 28 lbs
Sex: Female
Meet Jemma, an adorable senior girl who found herself in a rural Louisiana shelter waiting patiently for someone to notice her and give her a home. She is a happy girl, with big brown eyes and a smile to match, who loves to prance in her yard and get attention. Read more about sweet little Jemma on her bio page.
Happily Adopted
Aurora Adora
Happily Adopted!
Hi! Things are going great. Took her to the vet on Friday and they said she looks perfect. She needed a Lyme vaccination, but other than that she was up to date on all vaccines. Aurora, now Mabel, weighed in at 46lbs. Vet thinks she could get up to 80lbs full grown. Finnlaigh (formally Star, one of SGRR's Patriotic Pups) and her are getting along beautifully. She can tire her out like no one else. She met Tully (Mabel’s new cousin) too and they had fun as well.. Thanks again for everything! ~ Jim & Andrea
Hi! Things are going great. Took her to the vet on Friday and they said she looks perfect. She needed a Lyme vaccination, but other than that she was up to date on all vaccines. Aurora, now Mabel, weighed in at 46lbs. Vet thinks she could get up to 80lbs full grown. Finnlaigh (formally Star, one of SGRR's Patriotic Pups) and her are getting along beautifully. She can tire her out like no one else. She met Tully (Mabel’s new cousin) too and they had fun as well.. Thanks again for everything! ~ Jim & Andrea
Toby
Happily Adopted!
It’s been a week since Toby joined our little family. The first 3-4 days were tough for him. He was very restless, pacing/barking through the nights and had a lot of anxious chewing (and more pacing) during the days. The second night there was a pack of coyotes whooping it up somewhere near - understandably, both dogs went a little nuts that night! Happy to report that each day, Toby is more settled than the day before. We’ve been making a point to walk him every 2 hours & now that Gracie, (our golden), is warming up, they are both burning off some of that excess energy in play. It’s really nice to see Gracie initiate play with him - he’s such a playful boy and is ready to go whenever she wants. Also remarkable is that he politely responds to our intervention when Gracie is ready to be done. Already we’re noticing that Toby has adjusted his play to be more gentle with her, (which results in longer play times!) He is so smart! We have a bell-rope hanging from the doorknob - we bought it years ago and most of our dogs never managed to connect ringing the bell with asking to go outside. Toby figured it out on Tuesday! He’s such a sweet boy and we are so glad that he’s with us! ~ Gary & Kerry
It’s been a week since Toby joined our little family. The first 3-4 days were tough for him. He was very restless, pacing/barking through the nights and had a lot of anxious chewing (and more pacing) during the days. The second night there was a pack of coyotes whooping it up somewhere near - understandably, both dogs went a little nuts that night! Happy to report that each day, Toby is more settled than the day before. We’ve been making a point to walk him every 2 hours & now that Gracie, (our golden), is warming up, they are both burning off some of that excess energy in play. It’s really nice to see Gracie initiate play with him - he’s such a playful boy and is ready to go whenever she wants. Also remarkable is that he politely responds to our intervention when Gracie is ready to be done. Already we’re noticing that Toby has adjusted his play to be more gentle with her, (which results in longer play times!) He is so smart! We have a bell-rope hanging from the doorknob - we bought it years ago and most of our dogs never managed to connect ringing the bell with asking to go outside. Toby figured it out on Tuesday! He’s such a sweet boy and we are so glad that he’s with us! ~ Gary & Kerry
Lucy
Happily Adopted!
Lucy is doing well and we LOVE her! She’s so sweet! She still seems a bit confused about everything, but we will keep reassuring her and helping her feel safe in her new home! She has started obedience classes at PetSmart, which is for the next 6 weeks. She loves going there and we also take her to our Home Depot. She loves sniffing around there. She also had a puppy play date yesterday and got along well with the two other dogs! She was tired out after that too! All in all, she’s doing great! Loves being in the backyard - even in the cold!! Sometimes she is stubborn and we are working on the “come” command, as well as being mouthy sometimes. But we will keep training. My kids adore her and we are so happy she has come into our lives! ~ Ben & Heather
Lucy is doing well and we LOVE her! She’s so sweet! She still seems a bit confused about everything, but we will keep reassuring her and helping her feel safe in her new home! She has started obedience classes at PetSmart, which is for the next 6 weeks. She loves going there and we also take her to our Home Depot. She loves sniffing around there. She also had a puppy play date yesterday and got along well with the two other dogs! She was tired out after that too! All in all, she’s doing great! Loves being in the backyard - even in the cold!! Sometimes she is stubborn and we are working on the “come” command, as well as being mouthy sometimes. But we will keep training. My kids adore her and we are so happy she has come into our lives! ~ Ben & Heather
PAW PRINTS OF LOVE: A RHED AND THATCHER BEACH ADVENTURE
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Rhed (adopted from SGRR) and Thatcher are playful Golden Retriever brothers who LOVE the beach. Come along as they play, romp and frolic from morning to night, leaving loving hearts behind in everything they do.
Written by SGRR adopter Barbara Davis and her sister Pam, this beautifully-illustrated children’s book promotes active engagement and participation with the text through discovery, encouraging the young reader (baby to age 6) to explore the colorful illustrations for the hidden tracks of love. It is a celebration of siblings, sun, sand, sea, exploration and finding the joy in each moment
Proceeds from Rhed and Thatcher will be donated to SGRR and other organizations. Treat the kids you know to this delightful story of brotherly love and fun in the sun and help some dogs along the way!
Written by SGRR adopter Barbara Davis and her sister Pam, this beautifully-illustrated children’s book promotes active engagement and participation with the text through discovery, encouraging the young reader (baby to age 6) to explore the colorful illustrations for the hidden tracks of love. It is a celebration of siblings, sun, sand, sea, exploration and finding the joy in each moment
Proceeds from Rhed and Thatcher will be donated to SGRR and other organizations. Treat the kids you know to this delightful story of brotherly love and fun in the sun and help some dogs along the way!
Jackson’s Story: One Dog’s Journey to His Forever Home
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Authored by one of SGRR's adopters, this children's book is written from the dog's perspective. We hope you will read the heart-rending story of Jackson's abandonment and journey to his forever home. Young readers will learn that dogs feel pain, fear, confusion, and sadness, just as we do, and will realize the importance of responsible, loving dog ownership.
Happy Tails 2026 Click for 2026 Happily Adopted stories
Click below to visit our older Happy Tails pages to read about more happily adopted dogs! Happy Tails 2025 Happy Tails 2024 Happy Tails 2023 Happy Tails 2022 Happy Tails 2021 Happy Tails 2020 Happy Tails 2019 Happy Tails 2018 Happy Tails 2017 Happy Tails 2016 Happy Tails 2014-2015 You can also read special adoption stories through this link! |
Forever Fosters
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There are wonderful humans who will provide special dogs with a forever foster home, giving them all the love and attention they could ever hope for. Because of their age and/or disability these dogs were considered un-adoptable but they are still able to live with a good quality of life. SGRR pays for ongoing medical care for these special dogs Consider being a forever foster or sponsor so that we can continue to show that dog how wonderful his or her world can be. This is the true meaning of "rescue."
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