Helping Retrievers Find Their Way Home

Golden Bond Retriever Rescue is a volunteer-run, nonprofit dog rescue dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and rehoming retrievers and retriever mixes in need.

What We Do

Our mission is simple. We rescue and rehome dogs in need while supporting adopters and preventing future homelessness through education and community support.

We do this by:

  • Rescuing retrievers and retriever mixes from shelters, unsafe situations, and owner surrenders
  • Placing dogs in foster homes where they receive individualized care
  • Providing medical attention, training, and behavioral support
  • Matching each dog with a carefully screened adoptive family

Why It Matters

Dogs come to us from many different circumstances. Some are impacted by life changes such as illness, relocation, or financial hardship. Others need support due to unmet veterinary care, training, or behavioral needs.

Since 1990, Golden Bond Retriever Rescue has helped thousands of dogs find safe, loving homes, and we continue that work every day through the dedication of our volunteer community. As a rescue serving Oregon, Washington and the Pacific Northwest, we see firsthand how the right support can change the trajectory of a life.

From One Dog to Thousands

The story of Golden Bond Retriever Rescue and how it became a trusted dog rescue in Oregon

Golden Bond Retriever Rescue began with a single act of compassion and has grown into a volunteer-run dog rescue dedicated to helping retrievers and retriever mixes find homes across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

How It Started

Golden Bond Retriever Rescue of Oregon began in 1990 with one woman’s determination to help dogs in need.

After learning about breed-specific rescue through the Golden Retriever Club of America, founder Jennifer Bondley searched for a way to get involved locally, but found there were no retriever rescues in Oregon at the time.

Then came a call from the Humane Society of the Willamette Valley. A young golden retriever with an ear infection was at risk of being euthanized.

Jennifer stepped in.

“I wasn’t exactly prepared to start a rescue,” she said. “But I had no idea when I would be, so I took him in.”

That single decision became the foundation for everything that followed.

This marked the beginning of what would become one of the longest-running retriever rescues in Oregon.

Building Something from the Ground Up

Jennifer cared for that first dog herself—treating his infection, ensuring he was neutered, and finding him a new home. Then she did it again and again.

By the end of 1991, she had placed fourteen dogs, fostering each one in her own home. The following year, that number grew to 44.

What began as one person helping one dog quickly became something bigger.

Growing a Community

In 1992, a Corvallis attorney who adopted a dog became a volunteer and helped formally establish Golden Bond as a nonprofit organization.

By 1993, a growing network of volunteers was supporting the work; conducting home visits, evaluating dogs, coordinating fosters, and helping place dogs into homes.

By the time Jennifer stepped away from day-to-day operations in 1996, nearly 500 dogs had been placed with loving families.

In 1997, Golden Bond transitioned to a board-led organization, setting the foundation for long-term growth and sustainability.

Today

Today, Golden Bond Retriever Rescue continues its mission as a foster-based dog rescue serving Oregon, Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

We focus on retrievers (including Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and retriever mixes), providing rescue, foster care, and thoughtful placement for dogs in need.

Since those early days, Golden Bond has helped thousands of dogs find safe, loving homes.

A Community Effort

As a volunteer-driven dog rescue, this community support is what makes every adoption possible.

Volunteers, foster families, adopters, and donors all play a role in giving these dogs a second chance. What started with one person has become a community united by compassion and commitment.

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Dogs Placed in Loving Homes

How We Work

We are a fully volunteer-run, foster-based rescue.

That means our dogs-in-transition live in homes with loving volunteers where they can be observed, supported, and understood. This allows us to make thoughtful, informed matches between dogs and adopters.

Golden Bond Rescue Logo - Cutout no Line

Be Part of The Mission

Whether you give, volunteer, foster, or adopt, you’re helping create a better outcome for a dog in need.

A Second Chance

Golden Bond Retriever Rescue is made up of people who believe in second chances.

Whether a dog has come from hardship or a loving home that could no longer keep them, our goal is the same: to ensure every retriever has the opportunity to live a safe, healthy, and happy life.