Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue

I understand why GGLR is very picky about who can adopt. The stories of the seemingly nice humans that buy lab puppies then dump them when they don’t have time is heartbreaking for the dogs. I think the people dedicated to this organization have good intentions to look after the best interests of the dogs but their requirements are a little stringent. Like everything else in the San Francisco area, it’s competitive! Adoption closes pretty quickly, so if you don’t have a yard and a stay at home human, you aren’t going to get accepted. That doesn’t mean you won’t be a good lab owner, however, if you are dedicated to keeping your dog exercised (play groups and dog walkers) and loved. I would encourage lab seekers to consider a little bit of a drive to rescue wonderful labs at Lab Rescue of Fresno
and Central California Lab Rescue as well. There are a lot of pure bred labs in these areas that need adoption due to the numerous back yard breeders here. Too many well deserving labs that need a good home, please consider expanding to less competitive rescues or search the shelters there.

GGLR is an amazing organization, we have had nothing but wonderful experiences with Liz and several of the volunteers! Some of the negative reviews I have read are completely incorrect, such as Daniel M! Not everyone will be matched with a dog, not everyone’s situations will be what is best for the dog, isn’t that what this is all about? The dogs are being rescued to be placed in a «forever home», one where they will be matched to suit their individual needs! Maybe what you have to offer the particular dog you wanted was not what was needed, sometimes that can be found out through a phone call and a visit is not warranted, I guarantee Liz was not rude and had you been a possible match you would have been considered!

Worst «Rescue» organization around. You’d have better luck adopting a child if you were a homeless person living on Market Street. Liz, the leader of the chaos, is, like others have shared, one of the worst and most unprofessional «volunteers» I have ever had the pleasure of «meeting.» I step up to provide a home for one of their Labs, having raised multiple labs before, but am turned away because I work full-​time. Did GGLRR want to meet me and my pup? No. Did anyone want to see if my dog and the rescue would get along well together? No. I was summarily dismissed because I work full time. 60% of that «full time» work is done from home. I don’t know where these people get their credentials for placing dogs with foster homes, but Liz (as a professional recruiter herself) certainly has no business telling people they can or cannot have a dog. As they say, you can’t fix stupid.

For volunteers they are some of the rudest and unprofessional people I have ever dealt with.
We showed up at their Novato pet fair thirty minutes early. There were several volunteers just standing in gated kennels with dogs. When oneif the volunteers could not answer a question regarding the dog she was with the volunteer asked someone else. The gal snapped that they were not open yet and to come back in thirty minutes. I explained that we had appointments and with her back turned to us she very directly said fine. fine??? That’s your response??? You have no compassion. This was the second negative dealing in the last year with these people. We had every intention of adopting today.
Save yourself the aggravation. I have owned four labs over the years and the last time I was talked down too as if I never owned a dog.
Call Judy at Monterey lab rescue. Very caring and responsive. We got our first lab from Judy.

I have been blown away by this organization. We just rescued a 7 year old chocolate lab and their staff has been amazing. They were so thoughtful and available when placing our lab with us. They met with us 3 times and did a home check. They wanted to make sure it was a fit for us and the dog. They took her to the vet, gave us food and have included training for her. They are all volunteers with day jobs, but care so much about rescuing these dogs and it shows. I can’t recommend them highly enough. We love our dog and feel so happy to rescue one.

I’m biased, heavily. After being on a list for Guide Dog career change and not getting anything I found this organization.
One day more than 8 years ago we got the email about a litter of pups abandoned in Chico. They told us they had all been spoken for but two people backed out. We drove up on a very hot June day and met the love of our lives. She was 9 weeks old and shy.
She has become a big member of the family and we could not be happier. It worked out very well for us and the litter of pups. And this organization made it all possible. So, thank you!

A few months ago, my mom had a dog who passed away who lived for 17 years, from a different rescue group. So when she was ready to adopt at a fair at the RWC Pet Food Express. She met a beautiful black labrador named Daisy who was perfect for our family. So we waited and waited for two weeks for him to call, he said «oh I’m sorry I forgot to call you and I’ll try to make a second meet and greet happen» thinking we would meet her again since we filled up the adoption papers. We had to wait again and find out now she has been adopted. Seriously if you didn’t think we would be the right fit at least call us saying «I’m sorry, unfortunately we don’t think you would be the right owners for Daisy.» Considering in our family we’ve had dogs from generation to generation. I would never step foot into adopting from this place instead Tia Torres from Villalobos PitBulls is going to get our donation and makes the effort to go across the country to California to adopt and evaluate the dogs’ potential home.

In 2000 I had the good fortune to adopt a lab from GGLRR. and while I originally wanted a 2 – 3 year old yellow female, I ended up meeting and adopting a 4 month old black male.
My boy could not have been a better, sweeter, smarter more gentle dog. and I owe thanks to GGLRR for allowing me to have him in my life for 12 wonderful years.
Something potential adopters need to keep in mind and be patient with is the response time from GGLRR. These folks give their personal time to save these lab’s lives; they have jobs, families and other commitments yet make this rescue work.
The beautiful labs on their site would never be homed if GGLRR was as bad as some of the people here state. Take a breath, understand good things take time and adopt a lab!

I wanted to adopt a lab-​but really a dog that would fit with our family which also has a small dog. I wanted to adopt an adult dog and skip the puppy phases. I was going along with the 10 reasons why you’d want to adopt an adult dog philosophy. Anyways, I was looking for a lab due to its behavior pattern fit our family so I started with GGLR.
I totally support what they do as well as the other rescues out there. I didn’t read these reviews till I went through what I did with GGLR.
I experienced what the other negative reviews did which made me almost turn to just going to a breeder. (But my happy ending was finding a great adult Pointer through another rescue, TVAR) I’m fine going through the phone interviewing and home visit, etc. But I did feel like the only way you could get to a lab was paying the upfront adoption fee and be pre-​approved. The hardship with that is it locks you in with just them unless you have the money spend.
We did meet one dog per the profile. I live out in the East Bay as well as work with kids. Communication with them wasn’t very clear when I got down to the meeting and next steps. GGLR wanted me to drive out the SF Avenues on a weekday to do a meeting. I didn’t agree to that as the stress level and timing into the heart of SF was too much. We did do the meeting on a weekend. The meeting just felt like we were set-​up to fail as we were parallel walking with the lab & my dog than the rep let the neighbor dog in on the meeting. The rep brought her lab in her car which when we walked by we didn’t realize the lab we had on leash would bolt towards her barking lab; my son was the one who had the leash so he wasn’t prepared. If that was going to be the situation, I would have preferred it be myself put to that test as I’ve owned German Shepherds and would have managed that situation (not a kid). The lab was 100#‘s+.
Expectations were like another reviewer to revolve around the dog rather than mesh into the family. Like he had to have certain food, the food had to be separated from my dog’s, he had to have treats to do things/​commands (otherwise he would mind), he needed to lose 10−15#‘s, he had to be walked 4 times a day, they wanted you to be at homes all the time as that’s what he was used to, he had… it just was a wow.
No we didn’t match and it wasn’t the fit for us. But I felt the rep was harsh towards us which is what I’m reading in the other reviews. When I asked after our meeting what the next steps were, she said she’d be in contact (and the way it was said just felt like period.). It was already obvious that we weren’t a match so I don’t know why they just didn’t say so. She really took away my desire to get a rescue dog if that was what/​how we were going to be treated. You felt judged as someone else said. And its such a shame.
So from that experience I expanded my search and did keep the thought if this wasn’t the route — go to a breeder. But I want to give someone else the hope that it is possible to find a rescue.
I had 3 other meetings with 3 other rescue organizations. Yes we did the application process, potential home visit (but I didn’t have it happen), phone screening and meeting. Those things I get as they want to be sure you are a fit for the dog. We found a perfect adult Pointer — who is housebroken, leash trained, trained on basic commands, rides in the car well, gets along with our little dog and kids. So if I had put the deposit down with GGLR-​I would have been locked in per my budget. Whereas with other rescues I didn’t have to do that, in fact the other rescues referred me to their contacts to find a lab or other potential dogs that might match with us. If you can afford to do the prepayment donation if you want a lab from GGLR, I feel that’s the best thing to do as the really good one’s do seem to get plucked up by the pre-​approveds and you won’t have a chance. I didn’t feel like I would have if I didn’t do that route. I get what they do but the other rescues do as well and work/​committed just as hard. It was a hard learning experience.

Though I admire what the organization is doing, their arbitrary judgement of people lacks consistency and denies those of us who want to provide a loving forever home to these wonderful dogs. It took a month to receive a phone call and then with in the first 2 minutes I was judged by the time I am not home, even though I have owned a chocolate lab for 11 years. Unfortunately, what they are trying to prevent, buying from a breeder, steers you toward a breeder due to their lack of actually interviewing you in person and seeing what you have to offer. So sad.

These «volunteers» are not interested in adopting dogs.
They’re difficult to deal with and not always nice. (The people, not the dogs lol)
I suggest considering adopting a guide dog who couldn’t make the cut as a guide dog or better yet adopt a retired guide dog. guide dogs retire at 10 and usually have to leave their home.
You can conduct a Google search for your area.
Don’t bother with GGLRR. The volunteers and fosters like to keep the dogs for themslves and collect the donations.

I’ve fostered two dogs with these folks now. And when it’s time to get my own dog, I know where I’ll be going. The reps are incredibly careful, it’s true. It would be easy to think they are TOO careful until you get to know the dogs they are placing. Both my fosters turned out to be absolutely fantastic companions, dogs anybody would be thrilled to have – because they passed a rigorous temperament screening process before I even saw them. (Try getting that from a shelter or a breeder.) And because the rep worked with me, and eventually their adopters, to help provide the training and structure the dogs needed after being neglected for so long. And these were «owner surrendered» dogs, not shelter dogs.
Rescued dogs have issues, issues that can be overcome. But it takes time, patience, and above all, TRAINING, to do that. As a foster, I have seen that some people think Labradors, in particular, will automatically behave in the way they do in a TV ad. Both my lovely foster dogs clearly, from Day 1, had the potential to become that dog. But it took some time (from me and their eventual adopters, with a lot of guidance from the reps) to get them there.
I have nothing but respect for this organization and the incredible effort the volunteers put in. It’s all about matching the dog to the adopter. And yes, their #1 concern is the dog’s welfare. But if you want a great Labrador, and are willing to put in the effort to help him/​her become the dog he/​she deserves to be, this is a wonderful resource.

I was lucky to have worked with GGLRR to rescue an absolutely gorgeous little chocolate lab a few weeks ago. I worked with them over several months, looking for the right dog. I met a number of the volunteers — yes, no-​one in this organization is getting paid anything, and I think many of them are using their own funds to help the dogs — and each of them was interested, professional, helpful and just plain nice. There was several dogs along the way that were not quite the right fit, and the representatives were the first to encourage me to keep looking for the right one, and not to compromise my life with a dog that wouldn’t work out well. It is very hard to turn down a sad and homeless face gazing at you. I also want to mention the foster homes that GGLRR use. My dog was placed in a wonderful foster home in the interim — again, all volunteer. Occasionally I had to wait a few hours for a return email or phone call, but all of these people also have lives and jobs. They all seem to put in an amazing amount of what spare time they have. Kathleen came out to my house a week or so after the adoption just to make sure that the dog was doing well, and adjusting to a new home. So, my story ends perfectly happily, and I am extremely grateful to them, and to have been able to give a wonderful dog a much better life. Please consider donating to GGLRR (tax deductible) and help more dogs who need good homes — there are a lot of people out there who are having to surrender their dogs.

I have worked with these folks for 6 years now. My rescue dog Hank became a special needs dog due to injury and while the adoption process was long over the team there made sure they were available with advice, expertise and access to their long list of docs and rehab locations. They supported us all the way, through the countless hours of rehab, surgery and yes, even through the painful decision to put him down when nothing more could be done and his quality of life suffered. Yes people, this is VOLUNTEER organization, and yes in the world of volunteers, things are not perfect, but hey, if you can do it better, go out and save the number of dogs this group has and see how you do. You drive countless miles on bay area freeways, walk into dire and desperate situations with dogs in decrepit conditions and see how you make it run like a slick, oiled, corporate machine. Any dog in rescue deserves the right home, not good, not bad, not rich, not poor, but RIGHT… and its important that choice is made for each dog… its a tried a true process, not a personal affront to you and GGLRR does their best with each dog they rescue. I am not living the American dream either, but I know I am a good dog mom and when the time comes again, I will not hesitate to adopt from GGLRR.

We had a great experience with GGLR and were very happy with the process. The volunteers take their role very seriously to make sure that the dog and home are a good fit.

I am sorry to hear about these negative experiences with Lab Rescue. Mine has been positive, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Please check out their website and read of other experiences at
. I began fostering through the agency, as I wasn’t quite ready to make the commitment to adoption as we recently lost our lab in the fall. This has been my only fostering experience, so I have nothing to compare it to, but this organization has been nothing but supportive to me and the labs they’ve placed with me. Keep in mind, the labs are rescues and may not be perfect, which was the case with my fosters, which needed some extra special attention. Rescuing a lab is not for everyone. Again, some do have issues, whereas some don’t (just like us humans:) As far as staffing, everyone is a volunteer and if you don’t connect with the person you’re speaking with, maybe you could search the website and outreach to another. I had great experiences with the volunteers I worked with, but there was one, who I called to inquire about a lab she was the contact for, and if she were the first person I ever interacted with, I probably wouldn’t have stuck with the agency. I never felt unsupported and, or stranded when challenges arose, and I would recommend this agency to others.

Do not attempt to «rescue» a dog from GGLRR unless you are living the American Dream. In other words, GGLRR will not adopt to you unless you have a house with a fence and a spouse who stays home all day long (or, you must be willing to bring your dog to work with you every day). It is unfortunate, but I think most people would be better off buying from a breeder than dealing with this organization. My husband and I are «dog people» and recently rescued a pit mix. We were looking for our second dog, and because I grew up with labs, we wanted to rescue a lab next. Being from the Bay Area, we turned to GGLRR. But we discovered that GGLRR is not a true rescue organization. First of all, when I called GGLRR to inquire into a dog on their website, I never received a call back and had to contact the «representatives» manager before anyone would respond to me, only to discover that another family had been chosen for the dog. That would have been perfectly fine, but a return call to give me that information (after a week and a half of trying to get in touch with these people) would have been nice. It became clear to us that the only true way to adopt an animal from GGLRR is to go «on track,» by paying a nonrefundable 300 dollar «donation» up front for the privilege of being placed in the preferred group for adoptions. However, in addition to your 300 dollar donation, in order to be placed «on track,» you must first pass a series of tests, including a phone interview and home visit. Again, all this would have been fine, except that upon calling for our phone interview, we were immediately told that the organization refuses to adopt animals out to people who do not have fenced yards, and who intend to leave the animal alone for more than a few hours at a time. The woman I spoke with was insulting and told me point blank that no lab rescue in California would be willing to adopt to us in our «living situation.» Apparently not having a yard means you cannot be a suitable dog parent. I suppose all of the restrictions are understandable, to a degree, and it’s not so bad, as long as you meet their qualifications and you understand what this organization truly is when you «adopt» from them. Real rescue organizations do not have the luxury of denying a dog in need the benefit of a loving home simply because the home does not have a yard. Real rescue organizations know that for every dog they do not place in a loving home, that is one fewer dog they have the space to save from death row in high kill shelters. By refusing to place dogs in loving homes for a failure to meet an arbitrary requirement such as a 6 foot fenced yard, they ensure that they will have less space and fewer resources to save other dogs’ lives. And the requirements are definitely arbitrary. The representative I spoke with had no interest in hearing that my husband and I are runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts, and that our little pit mix gets more exercise than most dogs in this country. She heard that we did not have a 6 foot fenced yard, and that was the end of the interview. So be aware: The simple fact of the matter is, that with GGLRR you are NOT «rescuing» a dog, you are buying a dog, plain and simple. If your goal is truly to rescue a dog, my advice is to look at other, real rescue organizations and shelters first. If you can’t find the dog you want there, frankly, I think you are better off going to a breeder, as sad as it is. Because you’ll get a dog with far fewer restrictions and judgments than you would with GGLRR.

Be very careful.
We wanted to adopt a dog — we are fans of helping an animal that is in a tough situation and, generally, admired what GGLRR is doing.
Sadly, our experience with this organization has been a disaster. pure and simple.
First, we talked about a dog we saw online and thought might be a good fit for us and our family. We contacted GGLRR and set up an appointment to view… and were told, «we try to adopt out the dogs when you meet them». I should have known this was a rushed approach as my instinct thought this was an odd way to match up dog parents with a new pet.
We met our new guy — very handsome, a little nervous (to be expected). We were told he was «owner surrendered» — make sure they clarify exactly what that means when you go to adopt a pet from GGLRR as there are two meanings. We paid the adoption fee that we were told covered bathing, neutering, toenail clipping etc — fine, no problem.
We took our new friend home and all seemed ok until he attacked another dog about his same size. We understood the aggression to be due to an issue of possession of a bone and decided to work with him and get him through his issues. We even contacted the recommended «trainer» (she’ll feature later!) to set up some work time but our boy made such good progress we thought we would hold off on the sessions.
Unfortunately, our guy had a subsequent, serious incident with a small, yappy dog in a small, open and quiet park near our home — he basically attacked a dog, completely unprovoked, and had every intention of doing major harm. It was an awful AWFUL situation but we managed to get things under control eventually. Horrible.
Shaken, we contacted GGLRR AND the trainer and spent an entire day in tears trying to figure out what to do with this gorgeous guy. We knew we could not keep him because of his completely unpredictable aggression issue but were torn up over the whole thing as he was now a part of our family.
Finally, we had a call from GGLRR who suggested we return the dog. The next day, the dog was taken to the trainer’s who would be working with him over the course of time to get him past his issues and into a new home — that is all we wanted for him. he deserves the very best as he IS a lovely dog at heart… just has a switch that goes off.
My other half was told, by the trainer and to his face when he handed back the dog, that he was «a bad parent and it has nothing to do with the dog, it was your fault!!». Really? We’ve had every pet you can imagine throughout our lives and NEVER have we been so insulted. We have showed dogs and horses, have had many cats, goats, tortoises, you name it. Bad parents indeed!
I relayed this comment to GGLRR who claimed the trainer was «under a great deal of stress and we must have caught her on a bad day». Umm, how is HER bad day our problem? We were just trying to do the right thing but ended up feeling like the bad guy.
We had several email exchanges afterwards as I wanted to make sure our dog found a good home and I also wanted to know about the $ return policy and was told there is a two week grace period and that is it. We had the dog just three weeks and even with all the issues, all the calls, all the emails, were told, sorry you can’t get your money back… we’ll put in on credit for when you are ready to adopt another dog within a year’s time. So, what happens if we are ready in 13 months? Does the new owner also pay an adoption fee? That question has never been answered so my thinking is, YES, they will charge the new owner the same adoption fee… that we already paid. What happens if the experience we have just had is something we just can’t go through again? In addition, I received a distressing email at one point telling me our dog was being evaluated and two new trainers who specialize in dog aggressive behavior had turned him down and he only had two more chances before he would be euthanized! I couldn’t believe it. As if this wasn’t all emotional enough, now I am being told he might be put down? Who ARE these people?
This whole issue has been nothing but stress at a time when all we wanted to do was help an animal in need and have them join our family unit. it is such a huge, huge shame and has put me, a lifelong animal lover, right off having another dog… and that isn’t cool with me at all.
The bright piece in this — and, yes, there is a bright and important piece — our guy has found a new home and is HAPPY. Turns out he was not a city dog and it stressed him out — the streets, the people etc. So, thank you very much, it had NOTHING to do with us being bad dog parents. Now, our guy can run and play and enjoy life as he was meant to and, frankly, that is really all that matters in all of this. Shame the people involved had to make it so tough.

Let me first say that I do not feel this company as a whole is bad… what they are doing for labs is a great thing and that is why I wanted so much to be a part of it. Now for my review…
I called into GGRR because I wanted to be pre-​approved so that I could adopt one of their dogs. The woman I spoke with Kathleen explained the process to me about becoming pre-​approved. There is a series of things that you must do… the first is a phone interview, then a home visit and if all goes well you complete the application and pay the fee and you are pre-​approved. So I had my phone interview and during the interview I was told that GGRR prefers if the dog has access to «The Family Home’ even when the family is not there. I said he would have access to my carpeted garage but not the house as we already have one lab and two of them running around in my home when no one is there is a recipe for disaster!!! She said I will come take a look at the situation and we can go from there… I agreed so on October 27, 2010 I waited for Kathleen to arrive for our home visit.
When Kathleen arrived she immediately seemed to judge me, our dog Guinness was very excited to see her or that is what I thought as he jumped up to greet her I immediately said Guinness down and this woman had the nerve to look me in the face and tell me I will handle him!!! She said I will just ignore him and he will stop… that did not work so I again gave the command to Guinness and she pulls out a bag of dog treats (never asked me if she could give him one) and proceeded to tell him to sit and then gave him the treat. We then ventured to the backyard where she did approve of the yard. All this time Guinness is continually jumping on her this is not his normal behavior and one I do not approve of so I said in a raised voice Guinness Down and she says to me do not yell at him we do not like that… who is this woman the Dog Whisperer!
We then head to the garage she proceeds to tell me that this is not part of the home and wants to know why I cannot just give them access to the kitchen and close off the rest of the house. I have a 1000 reasons why and here are few, we live in Pacifica so we have alot of skunks and raccoons not too mention a doggy door into the home is a written invite to anyone looking to break in, and here is the best one leave two full grown labs in the kitchen where there is food when I said this to Kathleen her response to me was why does this worry you don’t you have meal time for your dog!!! Seriously does this woman own a lab 90% of them all they think about is food. I told her she was asking me to set my dogs up to fail by allowing them access to the home when we are not there. At this point I am trying to stay calm but it is getting harder and harder to control myself and again all this time Guinness is jumping on her and literally pushing her… a friend was there and could not believe what she was hearing. I then tell Kathleen if she is not willing to adopt a lab to me then I will go elsewhere. I pointed out that the dogs they rescue are found roaming the streets and I want to provide one of their dogs with an amazingly loving home. Kathleen never asked me some critical questions… how will the dog get his exercise, what kind of food do you feed your dog, where will he sleep at night, do you take your dog to the vet regularly, etc. She did not seem to care about the really important things that come with owning a dog and a labrador… labs require more work than most dogs and she did not ask any of the more critical questions!!!
I am teased by all who know me because of the life I give my dog and here is why… he gets home cooked meals, he goes to the groomer twice a month if not more, he sleeps in our home at night be it on the couch, his bed, or with my boyfriends son, I even take him to a chiropractor. I cannot believe Kathleen would deny a dog the life of luxury because he would have to be in a backyard and carpeted garage only during the day when I we are at work. She was rude, obnoxious and down right insulting. We have just purchased 9 acres and our building a new home on it and this dog would not only be treated like a king but would have the backyard of a life time. This review is more aimed at Kathleen and not necessarily GGRR. I can appreciate that GGRR wants to make sure they place their dogs is a safe and loving environment but this woman did not even give me a chance to see what a fabulous life I could give one of their dogs she just came in and made a horrible judgment and then basically told me NO… I finally figured out Guinness was jumping on her because he did not like her and wanted her gone!!!
If you want to save a dog from GGRR please do not contact Kathleen any of the other reps hopefully will see the love you will have for one of their dogs and grant you the approval… Kathleen will clearly deny a lonely sad dog the right to a wonderful life!