Matching Your Donation Dollar for Dollar

This year, Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota is again a grateful recipient of a $2,500 challenge grant from the Friends of Flicka Foundation. Counting on the generosity of countless givers, we hope to rise above the challenge amount. Each $1 raised by RAGOM will be matched by $1 from Friends of Flicka, up to $2,500. Donate Now

Donations have been earmarked for our Special Needs Fund, which was created to help dogs whose medical conditions are expensive to treat, particularly diagnostic testing, heartworm treatments, orthopedic surgery, and entropian eye surgery.

The Friends of Flicka Foundation (www.flickasfriends.org) was started in March 2006 with a donation from Gus Ljungkull, who has had Golden Retrievers as companions most of his life. One of his Goldens, Flicka, died at the age of 9 from cancer. Ljungkull's desire to make animal welfare donations in Flicka's memory, combined with his awareness of the animal welfare work of his friend, Denise Luke, led to formation of Friends of Flicka.

Denise Luke now serves as the head of the organization. She identifies and researches animal rescue needs and makes recommendations to the Friends of Flicka board, which approves grants and donations. She became aware of RAGOM through the Internet and has identified Goldens who have come into our program.

The Special Needs Fund is very important to Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota, because we often take in dogs that need medical care before they can be placed. Jake 12-038 is a prime example. Picked up as a stray, this affable senior was under weight, matted and had difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, a potentially fatal condition affecting the ability of the larynx to open and close. The resulting effect is like breathing through a straw. Jake received surgery to alleviate the condition, and now he is able to breathe easier again. Jake's medical expenses in RAGOM topped $2100.

Cleo 12-113 is another example. She came to us with a deep laceration on her back paw and needed to have a toe amputated. Cleo made a full recovery and is now walking pain-free again. Her surgery cost almost $1500.

When they come into foster care, all Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota dogs are evaluated by a veterinarian, provided with needed vaccinations, treated for medical issues, and neutered or spayed. Our adoption fees do not cover all a dog's treatment and care. This is why the Friends of Flicka matching grant is so important; it will allow us to continue to say "yes" to special needs dogs.

Sincere thanks to everyone who will help us to meet our goal. And thanks, most of all, to Friends of Flicka for this wonderful opportunity and support! Donate Now