Rescue of Goldens from Turkey

Did you know there are more than 50,000 homeless dogs roaming the streets or foraging in the forest or stuck in shelters in Istanbul,Turkey? Did you know that more than 500 of them are golden retrievers—goldens that crave getting attention from people? Did you know that even though we're thousands of miles away, we can help those goldens find a loving family? 

            In Istanbul, golden retrievers used to be considered a prestigious pet. Turkish pet stores imported them from England and Germany. However, in the Turkish culture, dogs are considered unclean and were forced to live in outside gardens. When the number of goldens increased to a level that they became too commonplace, they were no longer desirable, and were turned loose. There are concerned Turks who'll dump bags of dog food onto the ground for the strays, but there's no way they can feed 50,000 dogs.            

            Love a Golden Rescue (LAGR) is a small group, made up of all-volunteers. LAGR takes in around 70 dogs every year. We cover Missouri and southern Illinois. Our rescue doesn't have a facility; when we take in dogs, they go into foster homes until they find forever homes. 

            Even though we're tiny, we're fierce when it comes to our dogs. We like to say they get “Cadillac” treatment when they're a Love a Golden dog—they benefit from the same veterinary care our own personal dogs receive. As fosters, the dogs learn what it's like to be a pet in a loving family. They get petted, they learn how to live in a home, they are get showered with praise.  

            When we discovered that a network had been created to start saving these dogs, we immediately got involved. In America, the number of goldens that are being surrendered to rescue groups has declined, but there are still families eager to adopt a golden. It's the perfect solution: save the dogs that have been abandoned in Turkey, transport them to the United States, and find them forever homes... so that they'll never have to dig in dumpsters again. 

            Initially, we're taking 3 dogs in October, but plan on taking in additional goldens in the future. While still in Turkey, the dogs get checked by a vet. Before getting crated to  come to America, they will get spayed/neutered, microchipped along with being vaccinated for distemper, bordetella, rabies and Canine Influenza. Part of their travel papers will include a health certificate and a travel passport.

            So not only are these dogs healthy, but they're also young. Most of these strays are under 5 years old. The older dogs either die in attacks from feral dog packs, or they die from the elements. 

            Once they land in USA - these lucky dogs will be met by four Love a Golden volunteers. Photographs and videos will be taken from the moment the goldens are unloaded until they find forever homes.    
        
           We need dog lovers to donate money—every little bit helps—to cover the cost of the flight, the veterinary care in Istanbul, the cost of renting a cargo van, and the cost of sending back the dog crates—once the dogs have been delivered to their foster homes. Once the crates are back inTurkey they will be ready for the next group of dogs to come to America with other wonderful  Golden Rescues.

            Remember—we can make a difference in a dog's life. All it takes is a lot of small donations—from lots of caring people like you.