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.

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...

Update on Shamrock: Molly

Molly is a 12 year female golden from the Inland Empire who came to us in June and was in a difficult situation medically.  GRCGLAR did a tremendous job healing our Molly and we are happy to report that after a few procedures, she is ready to find her forever home....

You can read about her origins here.

And you can read about her amazing recovery here.

A special thank you goes out to all our Shamrock Donors who constantly provide the support for our special needs dogs. Your financial support is invaluable!