Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue

CONTACT:

PO Box 808
Hudson, MA 01749-0808
978-568-9700
www.ygrr.org

Wendy Garraghty, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Why does the Golden Retriever, the great American family dog, need a rescue organization? The answer is simple: each year hundreds of Goldens are turned in by owners who “don’t have time for the dog” or who have changing family circumstances. Others are dumped, become strays, and are impounded.

Since 1985, Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (YGRR) has been serving the needs of “discarded” Goldens throughout New England, placing over 4,000 of them in new adoptive homes. These rescued Goldens have included young, healthy dogs, mothers with litters, blind or otherwise handicapped dogs, and senior citizens, such as Benny, “dumped” at age 14 because he was old and his family didn’t want him anymore.

YGRR is unique among rescue organizations in several ways: It undertakes costly surgeries and medical rehabilitation to prevent dogs from being “put down” merely for affordability reasons. Its “Senior Program,” a national first, fosters adoption of older dogs that pounds often euthanize. And YGRR was the nation’s first breed rescue program to launch a capital campaign and purchase its own facility.

Much of the charity’s work is performed by nearly 500 volunteers, supported by a staff of three full-time and six part-time employees. YGRR relies on the services of independent veterinarians and veterinary hospitals to treat between 300 and 350 dogs per year.

Your support will help YGRR to continue to expand its programs, and to provide care and support for homeless Goldens throughout New England.

(2000: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)