Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue

Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue's (SCGRR) partners in South Korea have been busy trying to save dogs from getting sold in the meat trade, killed in high kill shelters, or saving medical priority dogs left and right.  High kill shelters don't necessarily practice humane euthanasia and have even been known to sell dogs to the tortuous meat trade.  Unfortunately, the pandemic has made a dire situation even worse. 

South Korea is also by far the most expensive country for SCGRR to responsibly rescue from because Heartworm is so prevalent and fosters are scarce.  We work hard to make sure dogs are clear of “microfilaria” – the infectious part of Heartworm – before they can come to the U.S. to begin the life they've always deserved.  This is because we live in a low Heartworm state where many owners don’t have their dogs on prevention.  That means longer stays for initial treatment overseas where fosters are scarce and costly boarding is necessary.   With COVID 19 travel restrictions and impending summer heat, the situation is even more complicated and their stays might be even longer.  But at least with our partner, they are safe for now!   

We have sponsored 4 amazing Goldens and we need YOUR help to cover the costs of getting them here.  During the time it took for us to commit to these 4 dogs, two others we were considering died and more are being presented still. We need your help to pull together funds specifically to help dogs from this country. Please help us continue to save these dogs from horrible living conditions and even more horrific deaths.  COVID-19 has also impacted our fundraising through events this year (down 70%) and we don’t want to leave these dogs behind.
 
Tiffany is approximately 2-year old and was also discovered at a high kill shelter.  She is scared of humans and very shy – clear signs of abuse.  Despite that she is gentle and calm, and loves to play with children and other pups. She is Heartworm positive and has started treatment.

Mikey is 2-years old and was presented to us from a high kill shelter. His hair was so matted and he showed such anxiety from being kept in a small crate at the shelter. We do not know how he got there - whether he was an owner surrender or a stray dog that got captured.  Our partners describe his personality as a gentle giant, loves all human interactions and craves love from humans.  He is also Heartworm positive and has started treatment.

Jane is five years old; discovered at a high kill shelter.  One of our international partner volunteers got a call late one night to save this girl.  Despite being in a cramped cell with a heavy chain on her, she still smiled and wagged her tail at the sight of her human rescuers. She is presumed to have lived her life outdoors for the entirety of her life. She is a precious love bug with all the best golden personality of love for humans, other four-legged friends, and snacks. She is also Heartworm positive and has started treatment. 

Chipmunk or “Chip” as we are calling him is a 3-year old male also discovered in the nick of time at a high kill shelter.  He would have been euthanized on May 9 but our partner rescued him on May 8.  He was dumped there by his prior owner.  He is terrified of car rides and adores humans.  So desperate for human companionship, Chip gets very anxious when humans are not in sight.  He is ok with other dogs as long as they don’t get up in his face – probably because he doesn’t want to mess up those cute Chipmunk Cheeks!  He is Heartworm positive and has started treatment.

Thank you in advance for your support of Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue and our efforts to help Goldens in need around the globe.  To think of the pain that awaits such a sweet and trusting breed if rescues can’t help hurts our hearts. Your financial support, in whatever amount, means the world to us and life to these precious pups. SCGRR is a registered 501c3.  Your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.

Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue got a call on Christmas Eve morning from the Camarillo shelter - Ventura County Animal Services.  A sweet, 3 year old Golden Mix had been found hit by a car by a good Samaritan.  Her medical needs were too great for a local vet to help so the shelter was called.  There were obvious leg injuries as well as a scraped up nose.  Her owners were found but they unfortunately didn't have the resources to help this girl who's name is Dulce.  SCGRR said absolutely we would help and one of our dedicated volunteers jumped in the car.

Since the shelter had been unable to reset Dulce's dislocated hip joint, we thought it best to transport her directly to Animal Medical Center and the fabulous orthopedic specialist Alan Schulman.  Thankfully he was working that day and was able to see her right away. 

Dulce has 2 dislocated joints but thankfully no obvious fractures.  The challenge with this particular injury is if they are reset within 24 hrs of occurrence, the prognosis is pretty good.   But we don't know how long she was injured on the street and the fact that the shelter vet could not reset it makes us worry.  Also - with left hip and right elbow - 2 opposing limbs - any recovery will be even more challenging.  One slip and something could pop back out!  The plan last night was to immediately sedate Dulce and attempt to do a "closed reduction" (reset the joints) non-surgically.  If that wasn't possible then Dr. Schulman would immediate move to surgical resolution of the elbow and if time permitted, the hip.  We are hoping for a Christmas Miracle!

With the holiday in full swing, updates are slow but we are grateful that she was seen and treated last night.  We will provide updates as soon as we have them.  It is this amazing community of supporters that allows SCGRR to help dogs like this.  We are so grateful for your support in a year of record-setting medical bills.

More information about Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue: Our mission is to find loving, lifetime homes for all Southern California Golden Retrievers in need, regardless of conditions or circumstances. We will always strive to heal the sick and injured, rehabilitate the neglected and abused, and nurture the aged and unwanted until we find the perfect family who will shower them with unconditional love.

Rescue decisions are so hard.  We could save so many for this price but this 11 mo old sweet and loving Golden Retriever's eyes told us not to give up on him.    We are asking for this amazing community to help fund the treatment of this gentle soul.

So excited to be accompanying his owner to pick up his best friend, Jetson bolted out of the car and into a busy area.  An Expedition SUV backed over his hind quarters and then in confusion drove forward over him AGAIN.  So this poor pup was literally run over not once but TWICE by a heavy vehicle.   He was rushed to a nearby vet for immediate care where they quickly realized his injuries, treatment and care would be too much for his owners to handle financially. The treating vet did not have the capabilities to keep him safely overnight.  Forced to decide between euthanizing Jeston and asking for a rescue to take him on must have been agonizing.   SCGRR was called.

We responded quickly to work out a plan.  All we knew was 3 broken bones and he was currently stable but was a bit in shock. 2 volunteers sped to respond.  There we met a dog in a lot of pain despite the meds that this facility was able to give him.  There was tremendous swelling on his left hind area, multiple cuts / abrasions and asphalt dirt on his hind legs.  Despite that he greeted us with curiosity and when other dogs were coming through he wagged enthusiastically.  Since the call to us, there was a growing concern in his abdomen as well.

Moving him was agonizing.  Through it all he was sweet, never once nipped and laid his head on our laps.  Within a 15 min ride, we had him at SoCal Vet Specialty Hospital where we  approved ultrasound, IV meds/fluids and diagnostic xrays to get a better idea of the situation.  We were devastated.  First priority - a diaphramatic hernia in the abdomen - the muscle wall herniated upward and the abdominal contents were pushing against one lung. The goal is to stabilize him hopefully through the night and have a board certified surgeon with her team perform the surgery in the morning.  We pray nothing happens to increase the urgency in the night and that he doesn't throw a clot. Estimates are $8-10k to get him through this critical surgery tomorrow.  

But that's just the start.  The femur in one leg is in 4 pieces.  Very repairable but a serious surgery by itself.  Then the other leg - both tibia and fibula - have multiple fractures each.  It will be imperative to deal with both quickly after the hernia surgery to maximize recovery and bring him comfort.  Each over $5,500 a piece.  At so many points there is a risk for clots which could end it all.  And then there is the long road to recovery filled with staying immobilized, hopefully in a loving foster home. We just couldn't say no without trying. 

When we said goodnight, he was resting propped up on a pillow with labored breath and high on morphine.  His rescuers are tired but have faith that our supporters and the animal loving community will help us help Jetson, and that we find a wonderful foster home who will commit to a very difficult and likely long recovery.  Thank you in advance for your support, prayers and well wishes.  We are incredibly grateful that his owners gave us a chance to help him instead of the most difficult of choices.

More information about Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue: Our mission is to find loving, lifetime homes for all Southern California Golden Retrievers in need, regardless of conditions or circumstances. We will always strive to heal the sick and injured, rehabilitate the neglected and abused, and nurture the aged and unwanted until we find the perfect family who will shower them with unconditional love.

The inhumanity of human's can be unbearable.

Gi (translation:  Brave) is one of those horrifying, heartbreaking cases that brings us to tears in rescue.  Gi was discovered emaciated in South Korea with open wounds on his head and neck, and burns across his frail body.  He trembled and cried in pain as well as out of fear of humans. They didn't think he would make it. 

At 3 years old, Gi was advertised online for $50 with the caveat that the seller was not responsible for his health condition or survival.  He would only need 1/2 cup a food per day and could be used for breeding.  The seller had he and a female that he was trying to breed but the female died giving birth.

The couple that responded to the ad, found him outside tied up with wires around his neck and snout.  When they took him home, he kept whimpering and trembling.  They quickly realized he needed more help and contacted SCGRR's rescue partner who rushed him to the vet where they shaved him to get a better look.  Clearly beaten and abused, Gi's skin revealed open wounds and severe burns.  We can't confirm if it was a chemical burn or water burn, but they suspect it was hot water from either trying to boil him alive, or to give him a bath with scorching hot water.   It's unimaginable.

Gi is making progress. With a kind hand and better care, he has started to wag his tail and accept affection from humans.  Eye issues once thought allergies are now confirmed to be uveitis which will require preventive treatment and possibly surgery.  His 3rd degree burn wounds and open sores are starting to heal with treatment.  His hair is starting to regrow a bit. Gi still has a long way to go and will need more medical care when he arrives here.   

We are excited to welcome Gi into the US this weekend. Knowing the vets in the United Sates can provide care unavailable in South Korea, we are anxious for his arrival.  Gi's transportation is graciously covered by the Tracey and Anne Coats Foundation.  We also have a very generous ANONYMOUS MATCHING DONOR for this GoFundMe to cover his care upon arrival in the United States.  Every dollar donated to this campaign will be matched 100% up to $7,000.

We are totally dependent upon you, our friends, for help with all of the vet bills and rehabilitation. Your donations are always so very much appreciated so we can always be there for dogs like Gi - whether they've suffered domestic or international abuse.

Kobee - just a young 18 month old pup - came into Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue just a week ago with a very large mass below his left ear extending down his neck.  We already know this is a cancerous mass – a very aggressive soft tissue sarcoma. We know this because his previous owners had a cancerous mass in the same spot removed just 2 months ago!  Kobee’s original mass was first identified at just over 12 months old, his family ran all the diagnostics, had the mass removed and biopsied in July, and unfortunately the surgeon was unable to get clean margins.  The vet recommended radiation but it was just too costly and the family decided to go with a homeopathic treatment plan, which just wasn’t working – the cancerous mass was back with a vengeance!  The family reached out to SCGRR to make a very difficult, emotional decision - surrender Kobee in the hopes that we can save his life or at least give him a chance at a longer life with more quality.  The cancer is growing at an alarming rate but is very isolated. There is a chance of success and given his age, we need your help to give him this chance.
 
When Kobee arrived, he had not eaten in more than 3 days, he was very down, he was nauseated and in pain.  We had him seen by one of our wonderful vets who administered pain and anti-nausea medications along with fluids to stabilize him.  If Kobee didn’t start eating we would have to possibly make some heartbreaking decisions.  Thankfully within 2 hours, Kobee slowly began to eat – he had to be hand fed by his foster.  Within a few days, he was happier – he had a bounce in his step, his tail was wagging and he began to play.  Kobee really wanted to play with tennis balls, but due to the mass he cannot open his mouth wide enough to get the ball fully in his mouth.  This is good news – we now have HOPE!
 
Our vet came up with a plan for Kobee and contacted an amazing oncology surgeon who believes she can help Kobee!  She specializes in head/neck oncology surgery and is known for getting the best margins possible and using chemo beads to follow through on any questionable areas.  She pioneered the surgical technique that combines the removal of tumors with the implantation of chemotherapy.  Given Kobee’s age, SCGRR is committed to looking at the possibility.  He will first need an MRI of his neck/head to see what is truly going on with the mass. This happens Tuesday, September 25!  Please keep Kobee in your thoughts.  Once the MRI is done we will see the Oncology surgeon on Friday to discuss the options.
 
We need to move forward with this plan quickly, but it is all very costly – we need your help.  The initial diagnostics plus rough estimate of surgery plus chemo beads we are looking at about $6000.  Kobee is just a puppy at only 18 months – a third of his life has been dealing with this horrible cancer. It is aggressive but isolated. His chest x-rays are clear.  His abdominal ultrasound and spleen biopsy were also clear.   Please keep Kobee in your thoughts and prayers and if you can, please donate to help give him a chance at life!! We are always incredibly grateful for our generous supporters that help us save and make better the lives of precious pups like Kobee.

Cleo was dumped because she was old and sick and her "family" no longer wanted to look outside and see her lying there taking up space which she had for the last eleven years!

When we saw her at the shelter she was laying there just waiting/wanting to die.  

We pulled her from the shelter, and the the minute she got into the car, she knew that her life, no matter how short it might be, would now be better.

She smiled, wagged her tail, and could not stop pushing into our volunteer, Barry for hugs and pats.

The news at the vets would not be good.  We had to operate immediately, ultasound showed severe pyometra.  When the vet was done, he would take out TWO QUARTS OF PUSS.

He removed tumors from her mammory chain, her eye lid and between her toe.  The results were mixed, malignant melanoma was found on the tumor on the toe, but Dr. Schulman feels that it was totally excised, and the other two came back negative.

Good news right - no, she has now developed early signs of pneumonia from being in such in the shelter and in such a weekened state.

She is on IV Fluids, constant medical care and we are doing everying possible to make sure Cleo comes through this and has the best life that she can for however long she has.

And, of course, through all, her tail keeps wagging and her smile never stops.  She is loved by all at the vets.

Our bills are mounting, but our commitment is unwavering to make sure this angel pulls through.

We hope that you will be there for Cleo as you have been there in the past for our other angels.

Thank you so much.

This is Clarence....
We are going to do everything we can to keep him from dying.

He was dumped in a shelter a few days ago. He is at least 10 years old. No longer wanted after giving years to someone...

Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue committed to saving him and brought him to our wonderful vet Dr. Schulman at AMC.
He immediately saw that Clarence was very sick. A mass in his mouth and he also felt something in his abdomen.

An immediate ultrasound showed a another mass and a blood clot on his sleen. We did emergency surgery this afternoon. He had already started to bleed into his cavity - he would have died if not caught...
Biopsies are out to the lab to see if he has cancer in either place.
We will not give up on him. Dr. Schulman said he did very well during surgery, which is good.
If it is cancer, he should have at least six months.

They will be the best six months of his life.
If he is cancer free - then we will make sure whatever time he does have will be great.

Once again we are coming to our friends to ask for your help with these extroidinary medical bills. We have committed to do everything possible for this baby but to do so comes at a very high cost.

Thank you so much for always being there for dogs like Clarence...

This is Honey Lamb.  

Once again, Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue got a call from a concerned neighbor, a dog she had not seen in several years had reappeared as a sickly, very neglected dog she begged her neighbor to give her up.

Honey was once a beloved, cared for companion who was left in a backyard forgotten and unloved.  Now she if fighting for her live. 

Left in heat, rain, exposed to all the elements and years of neglect she finally knows what it is to be loved and cherished.  Hopefully she will have enough time to enjoy what time she has left.  The doctors think she is about 10 years old.

Once again we come to you for you love and prayers and help.