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
Click to enlarge
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
Apollo
Click to read about me!
Hey there! Wanna be my BFF!?
Breed: Newfie mix
Color: Black with White
Age: 3-4 years
Size: 85 lbs
Sex: Male
Good with Cats
Apollo is a hunky southern gentleman who was dealt a bad hand in his past. You can't change a dog's past, but you can rewrite their future. Be sure to read Apollo's bio.
Breed: Newfie mix
Color: Black with White
Age: 3-4 years
Size: 85 lbs
Sex: Male
Good with Cats
Apollo is a hunky southern gentleman who was dealt a bad hand in his past. You can't change a dog's past, but you can rewrite their future. Be sure to read Apollo's bio.
Finn
Click to read about me!
Loves to Cuddle!
Breed: Labrador Retriever mix
Color: Yellow
Age: 1-2 years
Size: 50-55 lbs
Sex: Male
CGC Eligible!
Finn is a professional tennis ball enthusiast! His favorite thing in the world is finding a toy, chasing it down, and bringing it... well, somewhere near you. He's also a champion cuddler when it's time to settle down. Read about Finn on his bio page.
Breed: Labrador Retriever mix
Color: Yellow
Age: 1-2 years
Size: 50-55 lbs
Sex: Male
CGC Eligible!
Finn is a professional tennis ball enthusiast! His favorite thing in the world is finding a toy, chasing it down, and bringing it... well, somewhere near you. He's also a champion cuddler when it's time to settle down. Read about Finn on his bio page.
Merle
Click to read about me!
Playful and Handsome!
Breed: Lab mix
Color: Black and White
Age: 6 years
Size: 55 lbs
Sex: Male
Fostered in the Northeast
Meet Merle, a handsome boy whose playful zoomies, puppy play bows, and thoughtful gaze make it impossible not to fall in love with him! Merle is a loving companion who is ready for his forever home. He is being fostered in the northeast and is waiting to meet you! Read more about sweet Merle on his bio page.
Breed: Lab mix
Color: Black and White
Age: 6 years
Size: 55 lbs
Sex: Male
Fostered in the Northeast
Meet Merle, a handsome boy whose playful zoomies, puppy play bows, and thoughtful gaze make it impossible not to fall in love with him! Merle is a loving companion who is ready for his forever home. He is being fostered in the northeast and is waiting to meet you! Read more about sweet Merle on his bio page.
Sky
Click to read about me!
The Sky's the Limit!
Breed: Retriever/Border Collie mix
Color: Black with White
Age: 2.5-3 years
Size: 55 lbs
Sex: Male
Eligible for CGC Certification!
Check out Sky's Video Showing of his CGC Skils!
Sky is seeking his forever home with adopters who loves to play ball! Sky is incredibly smart and very intuitive, and can be registered as a Canine Good Citizen when he is adopted! Read more about this handsome guy on his bio age.
Travis
Click to read about me!
Affection and Goofy! :-)
Breed: Golden Retriever
Color: Reddish Gold
Age: 1 Year
Size: appx 60 lbs
Sex: Male
Travis's ideal home is with an active individual, couple, or family who can give him plenty of exercise, continued training, and lots of love. Another playful dog would be a huge bonus since Travis LOVES other dogs! Read more about this pup on his bio age.
Courtesy Listings...
“Courtesy Posted” dogs are listed on our website to help the compassionate people who have rescued or own these dogs find homes for them. Courtesy dogs are not affiliated with SGRR and are available to be adopted privately via the information provided in their bio.
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.
Argiro
Click to read about me!
Somebody loves me and I will be going home soon!
Breed: Retriever/Shepherd mix
Color: Tri-color
Age: 2 years
Size: appx 70 lbs (when at proper weight)
Sex: Male
Fostered in New England
Argiro is ready for the best days of his life and hopes to make your days even better when you adopt him. Already knowing several commands, this smart fellow is quick to train. Be sure to read his bio to learn more about this handsome show-stopper!
Breed: Retriever/Shepherd mix
Color: Tri-color
Age: 2 years
Size: appx 70 lbs (when at proper weight)
Sex: Male
Fostered in New England
Argiro is ready for the best days of his life and hopes to make your days even better when you adopt him. Already knowing several commands, this smart fellow is quick to train. Be sure to read his bio to learn more about this handsome show-stopper!
Oakley
Click to read about me!
Somebody loves me and I will be going home soon!
Breed: Golden Retriever
Color: Golden
Age: 1 year
Size: 60 lbs
Sex: Male
Fostered in the Northeast
Oakley is a happy-go-lucky, playful pup who just happens to see the world with his heart and nose instead of his eyes. He is looking for a patient, loving family to help guide him on walks and shower him with endless belly rubs. Read more about Oakley on his bio page!
Breed: Golden Retriever
Color: Golden
Age: 1 year
Size: 60 lbs
Sex: Male
Fostered in the Northeast
Oakley is a happy-go-lucky, playful pup who just happens to see the world with his heart and nose instead of his eyes. He is looking for a patient, loving family to help guide him on walks and shower him with endless belly rubs. Read more about Oakley on his bio page!
Newman
Click to read about me!
Somebody loves me and I will be going home soon!
Breed: Retriever mix
Color: Brown and white
Age: appx 2 years
Size: 60 lbs
Sex: Male
If you're looking for a gentle, easygoing companion, Newman may be your perfect match. He is good with dogs, cats, and all the humans he has met. Read more about Newman on his bio page!
Breed: Retriever mix
Color: Brown and white
Age: appx 2 years
Size: 60 lbs
Sex: Male
If you're looking for a gentle, easygoing companion, Newman may be your perfect match. He is good with dogs, cats, and all the humans he has met. Read more about Newman on his bio page!
Cooper
Click to read about me!
Somebody loves me and I will be going home soon!
Breed: Labrador Retriever mix
Color: Yellow
Age: 6.5 years
Size: 68 lbs
Sex: Male
Fostered in New England
This sweet boy is well-mannered and has excellent house manners. He's fully housebroken, walks beautifully on a leash, and knows several commands. Cooper is only being given up because his dad has to move out of the country. Read more about this easy-peasy fella on his bio page.
Breed: Labrador Retriever mix
Color: Yellow
Age: 6.5 years
Size: 68 lbs
Sex: Male
Fostered in New England
This sweet boy is well-mannered and has excellent house manners. He's fully housebroken, walks beautifully on a leash, and knows several commands. Cooper is only being given up because his dad has to move out of the country. Read more about this easy-peasy fella on his bio page.
Happily Adopted
Spring
Click to read about me!
Happily Adopted!
Thanks to everyone for bringing the pups up north! Spring (now known as Fuzz) is adapting quite well! She took over my chair in the first few hours! She is getting along great with our 2 other girls,
one is a Sunshine grad, Yvie. She is a great addition to our crew!
Thanks to everyone who helped Spring. ~ Jerry and Michaele
Thanks to everyone for bringing the pups up north! Spring (now known as Fuzz) is adapting quite well! She took over my chair in the first few hours! She is getting along great with our 2 other girls,
one is a Sunshine grad, Yvie. She is a great addition to our crew!
Thanks to everyone who helped Spring. ~ Jerry and Michaele
Aime
Happily Adopted!
Amie is adjusting well to our routine. She’s also already learned to sit and we started teaching “down.” She’s currently cuddled up under a blanket on this lazy rainy day. Her and Sammy are learning about each other more and more each day. Last night and today Sammy has been fixated on her, so we’ve had to separate them. She respectfully corrected him when he was too much, and Sammy is currently in time out for a cool off. Amie is an absolute sweetheart though and we love her more each passing day! ~ Chris & Nicole
Amie is adjusting well to our routine. She’s also already learned to sit and we started teaching “down.” She’s currently cuddled up under a blanket on this lazy rainy day. Her and Sammy are learning about each other more and more each day. Last night and today Sammy has been fixated on her, so we’ve had to separate them. She respectfully corrected him when he was too much, and Sammy is currently in time out for a cool off. Amie is an absolute sweetheart though and we love her more each passing day! ~ Chris & Nicole
PAW PRINTS OF LOVE: A RHED AND THATCHER BEACH ADVENTURE
Click to learn more
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
Click to find out more!
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
 Click to view our Forever Fosters
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."
 |