Midyear Adoption Update - 2017

 

2017 is moving fast and here is our mid-year report on all the dogs we've placed throughout Southern California.  We've had 38 dogs placed since the beginning of the year and while this is a bit lower than last year,  GRCGLAR has found that we have had a greater impact where we rescue.  Our shelter scouts are finding more dogs being retrieved from shelters by the public at large, which means that awareness is growing about canine rescue and specifically golden retrievers.

Geographically, the numbers are similar to where we stood last year. Half of our goldens were placed in Los Angeles County with second place going to Orange County. 10% of our dogs went to the outlying counties (Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino). In an interesting twist, we had 1/5 of our dogs adopted by current GRCGLAR volunteers, keeping our "failed foster" program alive and well.

To all those NEW families who have welcomed a golden retriever into their family, we welcome you into the GRCGLAR family. Our ever-growing family expands each month, thanks to your support of our Rescue.

We at GRCGLAR thank all of our communities around the Great Southern California area for their gracious assistance in adopting a golden retriever. Hopefully, we will welcome you to our gorwing family in the future.

January (4)
Scully was adopted by the "F" and "G" family in Long Beach
Corky was adopted by the "G" family in Huntington Beach
Lollipop was adopted by the "M" family in Coto de Caza
Coach was adopted by the "Z" family in Costa Mesa (who is also a GRCGLAR volunteer)

February (9)

Stella and Paul were adopted by the "M" family in Redondo Beach
Dutchess was adopted by the "W" family in San Diego (who is also a GRCGLAR volunteer)
Dova was adopted by the "M" family in West Covina
Leila was adopted by the "B" family in Valencia (who is also a GRCGLAR volunteer)
Dixie was adopted by the "K" family in Laguna Niguel
Music was adopted by the "H" family in San Dimas
Juicy was adopted by the "S" family in Orange
Cooter was adopted by the "I" and "E" family in Santa Barbara

March (8)

Jenny was adopted by the "T" family in Mission Viejo (who is also a GRCGLAR volunteer)
Buster was adopted by the "M" family in Cardiff (who is also a GRCGLAR volunteer)
Quillfish was adopted by the "A" family in Glendora
Harriet was adopted by the "D" family in Redondo Beach
Vogue was adopted by the "H" family in Lake Forest
Mandy was adopted by the "B" in Los Angeles
Evian was adopted by the "V" family in Tarzana
Jacks was adopted by the "P" family in Thousand Oaks 

April/May (10)

Crystal was adopted by the "R" family in Irvine
Aspen was adopted by the "SS" family in Rancho Santa Margarita
Polly was adopted by the "L" family in Glendora
Rebel was adopted by the "G" family in Woodland Hills
Bunny was adopted by the "F" family in Mission Viejo
Matt and Kitty were adopted by the "S" family in Los Angeles
Liberty was adopted by the "FP" family in Culver City
Lucilla was adopted by the "K" family in Redondo Beach
Melinda was adopted by the "S" family in Los Angeles

June

Jared was adopted by the "F" family in Northridge

Vernon was adopted by the "G" family in Simi Valley

Summer was adopted by the "S" family in Garden Grove

Surfer was adopted by the "K" family in Santa Clarita  (who is also a GRCGLAR volunteer)

Gracie was adopted by the "H" family in Studio City

Richey was adopted by the "M" family in Torrance

Darwin was adopted by the "LM" family in Los Angeles

*For privacy purposes, the family name has been omitted.

#grcglar #rescueagolden

Year in Review - 2016

2016 was a year of significant change within GRCGLAR. We successfully achieved several of our goals established at the beginning of the year and are looking to 2017 as a continuation of these efforts. Our strategic outreach program has been very successful and we have grown our volunteer ranks substantially throughout our 7 county service area, primarily in the Inland Empire and San Diego.

Our Speakers Bureau continues its outreach and had a very successful year. GRCGLAR spoke 12 times to civic and philanthropic organizations around Greater Southern California, reaching 5 different groups and spreading the importance message of animal rescue.

During 2016, we placed 94 goldens, a 4% increase over 2015 with our largest number of placements being in Orange and Los Angeles Counties with 38 and 36 placements respectively. We also saw a large percentage increase in placements in San Diego (75% increase) and Orange (80% increase) and our first placement in Santa Barbara in some time.

Traditionally, our placements increase during early summer and early fall. These are periods of time where families have lots of leisure time or when school is in session. This past year was no different as we saw our peak monthly placement rate in October, with our second highest month in June. Events are playing a larger role in placements as we saw a large increase in placements after the OC Pet Fair (April) and the Irvine Home for the Holidays (December) events.


This year our Shamrock Circle Fund celebrated it's 15th year anniversary in its mission to help rehabilitate medically challenged golden retrievers. We had fewer dogs enter the program this year however their care required more intensive treatment compared to years passed. We'd like to thank all of our special donors who participate in this program for their generosity. Without their support, this valuable program would not exist.


Shamrock Retrievers 2016
Merry, Casey, Beau, Baldwin, Carissa Anne, Marisa, and Dixie.


Finally, GRCGLAR celebrated its 15th year of operation in 2016 and proudly released its revamped website earlier this year, providing all the pertinent information about our organization in a much more readable format. In addition, we added the Petchella event in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles to our schedule. More exciting changes are in store in the coming year so please become part of the GRCGLAR family by donating here.

As we progress into 2017, we in the Rescue are constantly reminded of why are in business. There is a strong need to advocate for these beautiful canines and GRCGLAR is dedicated to be part of the social fabric of our communities. Thank you for your continued support throughout the years and we look forward to the next 15 years throughout the Southland.

Statement from GRCGLAR President - Time to be Thankful

GRCGLAR is thriving.   As we close 2015, we look back on our successes and continue in our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home Golden Retrievers in the Greater Los Angeles area.  The Golden Retriever is the most beloved canine breed in North America if not the world. Often, this popularity also poses a different set of challenges and quite often GRCGLAR is called on to remedy a difficult situation.  2015 proved that we are always ready for that challenge.

I'm appreciative of our volunteers who provide endless hours of commitment to the Goldens we help. I'm appreciative of our foster families who, while behind the scenes, provide a very valuable service to the community. They bring dogs into their homes to facilitate rehabilitation so they can be successful in their new adoptive homes.

I'm appreciative of all of our permanent foster families for the love and care they continuously give to our most challenging Goldens.  I'm appreciative of our adopters for the commitment to welcome into their home a rescue Golden Retriever. And finally, I'm appreciative for the opportunity to serve our communities and raise awareness of animal rescue.

2016 is becoming a stronger economic time for Southern California and GRCGLAR is excited to face the challenges of the new year.  Our rescue outreach program is expanding through our Speakers Bureau around the region, increasing the visibility and awareness of golden retriever rescue. We have also seen our volunteer base grow in regions like San Diego, and the Inland Empire due to our event participation. And we have seen larger grassroots efforts at the local level interested in helping the pet rescue community in an ongoing basis. Looking forward, we hope these trends continue as our Rescue grows and succeed in its mission.

In the coming year, we are committed towards the goal of making our rescue financially strong and stable and continue to serve the most needy rescue Golden Retrievers who are often neglected by all. On behalf of the Board and all of our volunteers, we thank you for your continued support of GRCGLAR.

Warmest Regards,

Gerri Monohan
President, GRCGLA Rescue

Year in Review - 2015

2015 was a year of great growth for GRCGLAR. The US economic downturn of '08 had shown a steady downturn in both adoptions and an steady increase in owner turn-ins. Thankfully, these 2 rescue indicators are heading in reverse directions which means GRCGLAR is in a stronger financial position heading into 2016.

This past year, GRCGLAR placed 90 dogs for successful adoption throughout our 6 county area. More than half of our adopted goldens were placed in Los Angeles County (50) and we also experienced larger adoption rates in San Bernardino County (7) and Orange County (21).

Our Shamrock program is a program dedicated to those golden retrievers who need extra medical care for their recovery. We had 18 golden retrievers rehabilitate through the Shamrock program during 2015. We were able to save nearly every Shamrock golden and we want to thank our 99 special donors for their extraordinary donations throughout the year that support this important program.

Shamrock Retrievers 2015
Merry, Casey, Kassandra, Ursula, Mikey, Beau, Tahoe,  Wilson, Rogan, Sassy, Snowden, Kopper, Randall, Banjo, Aggie, Charlie, Chloe, Chrissy.

We experienced a surge in volunteers in the Inland Empire and San Diego due to our annual event participation, which included Strut Your Mutt (Los Angeles), Holiday Pet Expo (Pomona), Holiday Bone-Anza (Long Beach), Doggie Street Fair (San Diego), and the OC Pet Fair (Costa Mesa). We hope to see you at one of our booths during 2016.

We also launched a new outreach program to raise awareness on golden retriever rescue. Our Speakers Bureau has made presentations to many civic organizations, discussing the challenges of pet rescue and showing off many of our rescued Golden Ambassadors. If you are interested in having GRCGLAR speak to your organization, please contact us through our website. 

On behalf of all the volunteers who keep this Rescue working, we thank you for your continued support and we look forward to continuing to serve the communities we live in. If you are in need of a wonderful pet, please consider GRCGLAR.

Strut Your Mutt 2015

A special thank you goes out to ALL who participated and donated to our fundraising effort at Strut Your Mutt last week. We had many people walk with their favorite pets during the hotter than normal temperatures in Downtown LA. Exposition Park was the perfect backdrop as these pictures show.

GRCGLAR also was called into action in rescuing a Labradoodle during the event as well.  A visiting family to the event was unaware of their canine going into heat distress. Luckily our volunteers noticed the situation, stepped in and took the necessary action to cool down the dog. Well done, GRCGLAR!

Overall, We are still one of the leading rescue organizations at this event as GRCGLAR raised over $15000 dollars during the event and was the FIFTH highest fundraising group of all the partner groups in attendance. Combined with our tremendous effort last year, GRCGLAR has raised an astonishing $84000 in two years for GRCGLAR and Best Friends.

Special recognition goes to Jo Anne, who diligiently organizes the event annually. Without her leadership, GRCGLAR would not be as successful. Other attendees included Elaine, Nancy, and Kathy (who helped rescue the dog in heat distress).

In case you missed the event, you can still donate for the next few weeks.

http://support.bestfriends.org/site/TR/Events/General?team_id=1400&pg=team&fr_id=1126

Thank you again for your support. We will see YOU at next years event!

Dental Hygiene and your Golden

The joy of owning a Golden comes with moments of absolute happiness.  A golden seeing its owner followed by incessant affection is sure to warm even the grinchiest Grinches.  However, when it comes to a dogs' breath, you may experience a less than wonderful experience in the moment.  Dogs often experience halitosis after eating something outside of their regular diet or if they are experiencing a health issue.   Here are a few tips to help you with keeping your dogs' breath and oral hygiene in top shape.

A canines' gums should be pink in color and be absent of tartar. Examine your dogs' gums occasionally to make sure there are no signs of gum disease, inflammation, or any growths.  Ensure you examine the entire gemlike including under the jowls (the flap of skin where the whiskers are growing).  Drooling excessively is an additional sign of possible oral disease.

Any sign of bad breath may be an indicator of disease.  Keep watch to see if your canine loses appetite, becomes excessively thirsty, or if  he/she urinates excessively.  If these conditions persist, a visit to the vet may be in order.

Regular dental care can have significant benefits and is actually quite easy to do for any owner.  So how to I take care of my dogs' teeth?  Brushing regularly is very important.  Standard soft toothbrushes may suffice but may be a bit rough for your canine.  Canine specific toothbrushes, which are smaller and softer than their human equivalent, are available at your local pet store.  You can use a dog specific toothpaste or use a simple paste of baking soda and water to brush with.  You should consider brushing your dogs' teeth 2-3 times a week.  Use a small circular motion on the outside of each tooth at a 45 degree angle if possible.

Other ideas to limit tartar buildup include:
- limiting table scraps form their diet
- using tartar control dog treats
- getting a chew toy

By taking these simple steps, you'll never be suffering from "doggie breath" again and your canine will enjoy years of smiles ahead....

Shamrock Updates - Vanna Adopted, Updates on Sonny Delight, Winston, and Betti.

We have several Shamrock updates from the summer so keep your seat belt fastened....

Sonny Delight

We have a few youngsters in Rescue named Sonny Delight and Bobby who entered Shamrock in mid-July with some medical issues which have been resolved. Luckily, Bobby has found his forever home a few weeks ago but Sonny Delight is fully recuperated and looking for a wonderful home. Sonny D is about 13 weeks old now but has a face to melt your heart. Read more about Sonny D here.

Winston came to us in early July and we're happy to report he is headed up north to Homeward Bound, our partner in Northern California. We wish him well and are looking forward to updates from Homeward Bound. Read more here.

Betti underwent successful eye surgery while in foster care and is recuperating well.

Vanna (left)

Finally, Vanna, our beloved 4-5 year old female from Devore, has made a complete recovery and we're happy to report she has been adopted by one of our dedicated volunteers from the Inland Empire, Patty. As a failed foster parent she joins an elite group of GRCGLAR volunteers who continue to answer the bell and make a difference in the goldens we save.

To find out more information on the Shamrock Circle Fund, click here.
To donate to the Shamrock fund through JustGive, click here.

If you would like more information on how to become a foster parent, please click here.

And if you would like to be a failed foster, it just takes a little time and love.  Just ask Patty...

Immortalized at Home in Tomich

The Golden Retriever has well established roots, going back to 1868 in the Scottish Highlands southwest of Inverness, near the village of Tomich. With the excellent documentation of Lord Tweedmouth, the lineage of our favorite breed can be completely documented back to these times at this location.

Fast forward to today and the Golden Retriever has become one of the most beloved recognized breeds in the world. Thanks to the Friends of Guisachan there is now an immortalized statue of the Golden Retriever in the canine's ancestral homeland.  The statue of a life-sized golden retriever was created out of  and was placed in the village of Tomich.

The exact location is here:  Lat/Lng: 57°18'14.2"N 4°48'49.6"W

Interestingly, most owners of Golden Retrievers have no knowledge of the word Guisachan and its relation to the Golden Retriever. Guisachan (pronounced GOOSH-a-kin) is the Scottish Highlands area of the 14th century, where Golden Retrievers originated from. Guisachan is also the name of the famous mansion (Guisachan House) from which the goldens were first raised by Lord Tweenmouth. The mansion is quite rundown at present but efforts are underway to raise enough money to restore it to its former glory and stature.

For more information about Guisachan House and the history of the origins of the Golden Retriever, go to the Friends of Guisachan website here.

WoofTrax

GRCGLAR has a new innovative fundraising vehicle and all it takes is a simple FREE app! We have partnered with Wooftrax to help raise money for GRCGLAR.  By simply walking your dog and enabling the Wooftrax app on your smartphone, you can help raise money for our Rescue.

Wooftrax

To get started, simply follow these simple directions:

1). Simply download the app Wooftrax to your iPhone or Android device. You can download the version of your smartphone here.

2) Once downloaded, you simply open up your Wooftrax app and enroll in the program. Your name and email address is required. 

3) Select "Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles" as the rescue you will be walking for.

4) Press the "Enroll"

5) You will be sent a validation email with a link to click to complete your enrollment. 

Once enrollment is completed, you can configure the Wooftrax app with the particulars of your lovable dog. You can then begin walking your dog on walks of any length. Wooftrax tracks the numbers of miles you have walked. 

Best of all, GRCGLAR receives funds several times a year based on the numbers of miles walked as well as the number of walkers. We'll provide ongoing updates as to how our Walkers and Golden Ambassadors are doing all year long.

So the call is out for the Friends of GRCGLAR to download Wooftrax and enjoy your favorite pastime with your dog: STAY FIT and WALK with Wooftrax!