How to Adopt

Adoption Process Overview

  • Foster-Based Rescue:
    As a foster-based rescue, we do not have a central location to view our dogs. Our dogs reside in Foster homes across a five-state region, so it is unlikely you will meet a dog before applying.
  • Application Review and Screening:
    Once you submit your application fee, it will be screened. If your application meets the dog’s core requirements and the dog is still available, it will be forwarded to the Foster family for consideration. We will update you on the status.
  • Foster Review Process:
    Fosters carefully review applications and contact the applicant they believe is the best fit for the dog. If both you and the foster agree it could be a good match, a virtual or in-person “meet and greet” may be scheduled. If the foster does not select you, our team will notify you within five days.
  • Meeting Dogs at Events:
    Some dogs may attend public events, giving you an opportunity to meet them in person. It will be noted on their profile page when dogs are scheduled to attend events.
  • Applying for Multiple Dogs:
    If you become interested in additional dogs after submitting your application, simply email us at [email protected]. Your application is valid for six months, so there is no need to submit another one.

RAGOM’s Adoption Territory

Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Wisconsin (within 75 miles of the Minnesota border). RAGOM does consider applicants outside our territory in the following circumstances:

  • Dogs that have been available for adoption for over 60 days.
  • Dogs that are difficult to place due to medical or behavioral issues.
  • Dogs that don’t have the physical appearance of a Golden Retriever.

NOTE: If the dog is returned, the Adopter is responsible for transporting it back to its point of origin.

Foster-To-Adopt Program

This program enables RAGOM to place dogs into families even when RAGOM’s Foster homes are full. FTA dogs bypass Fosters and go directly to their adoptive family, and we work with the FTA to accomplish what normally occurs in Foster care. Once those steps are complete, the adoption is finalized. Dogs with significant medical and/or behavior issues are unavailable via the FTA program. 

Spay and Neuter

As a rescue organization, RAGOM must balance managing the pet population with the dog’s health and well-being. Based on clinical recommendations, dogs wait until 12 months before being altered.

Dogs 12 months and older are altered before they are adopted. Dogs under 12 months of age are adopted with the expectation that they are altered between 12-15 months of age or returned to RAGOM. Details regarding unaltered dog adoptions are located here. 

Adoption Fees

Adoption Agreement

The final step in the Adoption Process is for Adopters to sign an Adoption Agreement.

The Process

Complete these initial pre-screening questions to determine if you are eligible to adopt from RAGOM.

Your application will be screened to ensure you meet RAGOM’s core requirements. Once that is complete, our Placement Team notifies you of the detailed next steps, including how to engage with them. Foster Families only work with one Applicant at a time to avoid confusion and disappointment. High-level next steps:

  • Foster families contact the Applicant, who is a good match for their foster dog.
  • A volunteer and their dog will meet with you to perform a Home Visit.
  • When the Home Visit is completed successfully, the Foster family will work with you to jointly determine if it’s a good match and, if so, complete the adoption.
  • If it’s not a good match, Applicants can continue to apply for other available dogs.
  • Dogs under 12 months that are intact have a Provisional Adoption that is finalized once the dog is altered. See Provisional Adoptions for more information.

Due to the number of applicants, it’s not possible for foster dogs to meet every applicant. Are you interested in meeting some of the dogs in our care? Check out our Meet & Greet events.