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Thank You for Giving to the Max for RAGOM and Our Dogs
Our tails are wagging!
Thanks to everyone who Gave to the Max this year—RAGOM finished third in the Intermediate Nonprofit category and was awarded a $3,000 prize. We raised a grand total of $78,670 to support the dogs in our care!
We are overwhelmed with gratitude.
To learn how your donations support dogs in RAGOM’s care, read Where Your Money Goes.
Originally posted on Wednesday, November 1, 2017:
Schedule your Give to the Max donation to RAGOM today, and it will count toward the Give to the Max Day 2017 event on Thursday, November 16.
Not only will your donation be matched, it might be randomly chosen to win a Golden Ticket, which will provide an additional $1,000—or $10,000—donation to RAGOM! Golden Tickets are randomly awarded by GiveMN as part of the Give to the Max Day promotion.
Ten Missouri Auction Dogs Begin a New Life with RAGOM
Saturday, October 21, was a very good day for nine Golden Retrievers and a Labradoodle when they left behind lives as breeding stock commodities and began their journey to becoming cherished family members. Denise Anderman and Scott Blomgren, two RAGOM volunteers, drove to Wheaton, Missouri, where they successfully rescued these dogs from an auction where they would have likely been sold to another breeding operation.
“Denise and Scott, you two rock! These dogs have no idea how awesome their lives are going to be,” said Nicole Stundzia, RAGOM volunteer.
RAGOM has made a commitment to attend auctions and/or work directly with breeders to ensure that dogs considered no longer “of use” to a breeder come into our care. Please welcome the newest RAGOM pups:
Caramel 17-218A (5 months)
Autumn 17-219A (11 months)
Mae 17-220A (11 months)
Sally 17-221A (3 years)
Maggie 17-223A (7 years)
Abe 17-224A (5 months)
Anders 17-225A (5 months)
Dakota 17-226A (2 years)
Jessa 17-227A (5-month-old labradoodle who could not be left behind)
Elisabeth 17-222A (4 years and pregnant!)
Yes, one of the Goldens is pregnant. “We had no idea she was pregnant. Luckily, the foster who had offered to care for her is very skilled and excited to have her,” said Patty Larson, Director of Operations.
Patty was particularly affected by Dakota 17-226A, a beautiful 2-year-old known previously as Auction #177. When the dogs arrived at RAGOM’s Minnetonka office, volunteers could not get Dakota to come out of his crate. While his previous life was not a good one, it was all he knew. He spent the night shaking in the garage with his foster mom beside him. She could not get him inside the house. Dakota refused to stand up or walk until the next morning when he finally stood and took his first steps as a “free dog.”
Once again, RAGOM volunteers stepped up to provide loving foster homes for all of the dogs until they are placed in their forever homes. Terry L. Berens, RAGOM volunteer, stated, “This is such awesome news. I have tears of happiness for their new lives with our RAGOM village.”
Dogs Benefit from RAGOM Partnership with Friends of Flicka
The following article is published with the permission of The Golden Retriever Club of America National Rescue Committee and Friends of Flicka, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization created in memory of a beloved Golden Retriever for the purpose of providing funds to other qualified exempt organizations and individuals engaged in the rescue, adoption, and care of animals that have been abandoned, lost, or abused.
A New Life for Eighteen Dogs in Need
In March of 2017, Friends of Flicka was contacted by Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota (RAGOM), who had learned of a commercial breeding auction taking place that weekend in Missouri. Ten Golden Retrievers were up for auction.
Without intervention, the ten dogs would be sold to other commercial breeders, where they would continue to live their lives in cages while being bred repeatedly. The advertisement for one of the dogs boasted that she had whelped 49 puppies in her last five litters and was soon due back in heat.
RAGOM and other Golden rescue organizations who watch for auctions collaborated to determine the best strategy for saving the dogs. The groups often work together to save resources and share ideas. They decided that RAGOM would focus on this particular auction, and Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue agreed to focus on future upcoming auctions.
RAGOM was determined to save the ten dogs, but this rescue effort was over their budget. They would not be able to rescue them all. Difficult choices would have to be made at the auction as to who would be chosen and who would be left behind.
Friends of Flicka wanted to help them all.
Not long before we were contacted by RAGOM, Friends of Flicka had lost a special friend, Yogi Bear, who had passed away after 11 wonderful years sharing his unconditional love. In his honor, Friends of Flicka wanted to do something special.
RAGOM estimated the cost to rescue all of the dogs would be at least $10,000. Friends of Flicka made a $12,000 contribution with a commitment to send up to $3,000 more, with one request: do everything possible to bring home all of the Goldens.
With just a few days to prepare, RAGOM sprang into action. Volunteers organized an auction plan and secured the necessary equipment. Families signed up to foster the dogs once they were rescued. Volunteers Denise A. and Scott B. drove to Missouri to attend the auction.
When the day came, RAGOM and Friends of Flicka waited on pins and needles, knowing it could be hours before news came from Missouri. While we expected at least some of the Goldens would be rescued, we knew that despite best efforts, RAGOM might not be able to rescue them all. Sometimes at auctions, if the commercial breeders know that rescue organizations are bidding, they’ll work together to drive up the prices.
According to Friends of Flicka co-Founder Jim Seidl, “That afternoon, we received the news. Our friends at RAGOM joyfully reported they were able to rescue all ten Goldens. And even better, with Friends of Flicka’s support, RAGOM was able to use additional funds they had to rescue a Goldendoodle mom and her seven puppies. For the first time in their lives, these eighteen dogs were going home.”
RAGOM had additional news. One of the Goldens was in need of a name, and they had the perfect one in mind. This wonderful 8-month-old dog was given the name Yogi (Yogi 17-042A), in honor of the dog who made their rescue possible. And another of the puppies was named Jim (Jim 17-05A), after Friends of Flicka’s Jim Seidl, a lover of all things Golden.
We couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect story.
Back in Missouri, volunteers loaded the dogs into vans and began the long drive home. They arrived late that Saturday night, where they were greeted by a team of volunteers who were eager to help with the dogs’ intake. Baths were given, paperwork completed, and love was given. They worked through the night to take care of each dog.
Early the next day, foster volunteers prepared to meet the dogs they would be welcoming into their homes. But first, RAGOM had invited Jim Seidl to come by, meet the dogs, and see firsthand what Friends of Flicka helped make possible.
RAGOM Unveils New Name, Branding, and Website
On February 14, 1985, Hank and Jane Nygaard rescued a Golden Retriever from a shelter and provided her with love, devotion, and veterinary care until they found her a forever home. They didn’t stop there, but began what became their life’s purpose and started Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota (RAGOM).
Now, 32 years later, more than 450 volunteers inspired by the Nygaards have steadfastly carried on their legacy and mission of rescuing, fostering, and finding forever homes for Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes in need. Because of these selfless, generous, and passionate volunteers, RAGOM has grown beyond its borders of Minnesota and now also serves Iowa, North and South Dakota, and western Wisconsin.
We are the second largest Golden rescue organization in the United States, and we are dedicated to helping even more Goldens find forever homes. With an ever-growing group of volunteers and solid management and infrastructure, we decided that our name should accurately reflect the scope of RAGOM’s mission.
Effective September 10, 2017, our name is Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest and includes a new logo, branding, and website. Volunteers spent countless hours analyzing and refreshing these properties to ensure that we both respected the past and reflected the future. Our brand is more than a design. It is a combination of symbolism, words, credibility, and emotion that inspires our volunteers and supporters to achieve our vision that all Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes have forever homes and instills our values of passion and integrity.
Our new logo honors both Jane’s legacy and the previous logo, including the original heart component symbolizing that RAGOM was founded on Valentine’s Day. Our brand represents the love, joy, and comfort that Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes bring to our lives. These intuitive and sensitive dogs give unconditional love to everyone they meet. Yet despite their wonderful temperament, hundreds of homeless Goldens and Golden mixes need a second chance, and that is why RAGOM exists.
Thank you for all you do for RAGOM dogs,
Board of Directors, Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest
Join the Golden Givers and Support RAGOM Throughout the Year
Your recurring donation provides RAGOM with continuous and reliable resources—and reduces our expenses. It’s an easy way to support the dogs in our care throughout the year.
Determine the amount and frequency of your recurring donation, and it will automatically be deducted from your bank account or charged to your credit card. Giving through your bank account saves RAGOM credit card fees and ensures your donation doesn’t lapse if your credit card expires or the card number changes.
Join the Golden Givers today!
Set Up Recurring Bank Account Donation
RAGOM Rescues Another Breeding Dog from Auction
In March 2017, RAGOM raised money to rescue 18 Golden Retrievers being sold at a commercial breeding auction. You, our supporters, gave so generously that we raised more money than we needed to rescue these dogs, so we promised we’d go back for more as we learned of other breeder dogs in need of help.
In early May another auction was scheduled, and a pregnant Golden Retriever was being sold. Not even two years old, she’d given birth to a litter less than six months before. Without the intervention of a rescue organization, she would be sold to another commercial breeder where she would most likely live her life in a cage, being bred repeatedly.
Her life changed dramatically on May 6, when RAGOM successfully bid on her at auction. She was pregnant and likely to give birth any day. In an instant, her fate changed from breeding commodity to loved dog. We named her Patzy.
Patzy was terrified. After being purchased from the auction, RAGOM brought her to a Missouri veterinary clinic. Paralyzed with fear, she had to be carried into the clinic on a stretcher. Patzy was then transported to Minnesota and welcomed into a foster home, where she began to learn that humans can be kind. Patzy soon began to trust that she was safe and attached herself to her foster mom. She even began to shyly approach her foster mom for petting.
She discovered the comforts of soft beds, nourishing meals, and shelter, a welcome change for a pregnant mom-to-be.
Within a week of her rescue, she went into labor. Patzy did not want her foster mom out of her sight, so she stayed by her side, monitoring and caring for her, and doing everything possible to keep her comfortable. In addition to her meals, she enjoyed refreshing bowls of ice cream and was given back massages to ease her labor pains. Over the course of a long day, she gave birth to nine healthy puppies.
Your generosity made Patzy’s new life possible. Your support changed her fate in the blink of an eye. You bought her way out of the commercial breeding life. You bought her hope.
RAGOM Welcomes More Golden Retrievers from Turkey
On April 28, 2017, generous RAGOM donors helped us change the lives of 17 wonderful dogs. After months of planning and preparing, we welcomed our newest RAGOM additions from the country of Turkey. The kindness and generosity of more than 100 people made this happen.
The dogs’ journey started across the world, where our Turkish friends arose early to transport the dogs to the airport and complete the necessary paperwork. The entire process takes several hours, and the dogs are required to be at the airport 12 hours before their flight. So Turkish volunteers took turns walking the dogs and ensuring they drank plenty of water.
Before their long flight from Turkey to Chicago, each dog is given a special necklace with an evil eye protector bead, which is believed to bring good luck and safety in their journey to America.
Twenty-five RAGOM volunteers anxiously awaited the dogs’ arrival at Chicago O’Hare airport. Upon landing the dogs received walks, food, water, and lots of affection. They were also given a chance to relax and recharge before being transported to Minnesota.
Upon arrival at the heated indoor space donated by SkyRidge Business Center, each dog received a bath and met their foster family. As these dogs settle into their foster homes, they learn the comforts of soft beds and steady meals, the joy of toys, and the security that comes from a safe and loving environment.
In the days that follow their arrival, the dogs receive a complete wellness check with a veterinarian. Their foster families patiently learn about the dog to determine the type of permanent home environment that will best suit the dog. Each dog is then posted to their very own page on the RAGOM website, where potential adopters can learn about the dog’s personality and what they need in their forever home.
It was not an easy journey, and it would not have been possible without RAGOM’s supporters, donors, volunteers, and friends. Countless moving pieces need to fall in place for a rescue this extensive to happen.
Our friends in Turkey rescued the dogs and ensured they were cared for before coming to America. Volunteers spent months organizing the logistics of flying the dogs internationally. They drove to Chicago, worked late bathing dogs, and opened their homes to foster care.
Supporters gave generously to make this rescue mission possible and sent kind words and encouragement. It takes a village—a RAGOM village—to change the lives of these deserving souls.
Follow our Turkish Dog rescue efforts on the RAGOM International Outreach (RIO) Facebook page.
RAGOM Rescues 18 Dogs from Commercial Breeding Auction
In late February 2017, RAGOM learned of an impending commercial breeding auction in which ten Golden Retrievers would be sold. Among them were five breeding females and five males. The dogs ranged in age from just under one year to nearly eight years old.
These dogs were likely destined to be sold to other commercial breeders, where they would continue to live in kennels and cages while being repeatedly bred.
RAGOM needed to raise the necessary funds to travel to Missouri and bid on the dogs, with hopes of rescuing as many as possible. It was entirely possible that our volunteers would return empty handed or with only a few dogs. The bidding at these auctions can sometimes get very competitive, but it’s a risk we willingly take for the chance to save even a few dogs.
On March 4, 2017, RAGOM returned to Minnesota with 18 dogs, including the ten Golden Retrievers we hoped to rescue, as well as eight Goldendoodles.
So many people contributed to the success of this rescue mission. Volunteers organized the auction plan, secured equipment, drove to the auction, and signed up to help with the dogs’ intake. Families signed up to foster the dogs. SkyRidge Business Center donated the space needed to welcome the dogs into our care. Countless people donated funds so RAGOM, rather than another commercial breeder, could purchase these dogs.
This rescue would not have been possible without our devoted volunteers’ efforts and everyone who generously donates money. Thank you! And due to the outpouring of support, we raised more money than needed to bring these dogs into RAGOM. As promised, we have set aside the additional contributions and plan to rescue more dogs at upcoming auctions.
RAGOM Celebrates 32 Years of Rescuing and Rehoming
Thirty-two years ago today, a beautiful 9-month-old Golden Retriever languished in a rural animal shelter, unaware of her pending fate. She had a collar but no name and no home. A card above her kennel read, “Scheduled for euthanasia, 3:30 today.”
During a chance visit to the shelter that same day, Ardis Brown noticed the young Golden. Moved by her dire plight, she called her friend Jane Nygaard. “Could anything be done?” Ardis asked. Jane’s answer was firm: “Get that dog out of there.”
Because Jane was unavailable, she instructed Ardis to take the dog to Twin Cities Obedience Training Club, where Jane’s husband Hank Nygaard was attending a seminar. There were no cell phones in those days, so Jane left a message for Hank at the club desk: “Ardis is bringing you a female Golden Retriever. Bring her home.”
The Nygaards took the dog to their vet to be vaccinated and spayed. A few days later, the vet called the Nygaards. Did they still have that Golden? He knew of a couple who were looking for a dog. The Nygaards invited the couple to meet the dog and then accompanied them to check out their house and yard—ultimately, the first home visit.
Named “Sophie” by the family, the young dog stayed with them for a few days. And then they wrote a check to cover the Nygaards’ veterinary bills—the first adoption.
Word spread. If there is a Golden Retriever in trouble, call Jane. When there were too many dogs for the Nygaard household, they asked for help and friends volunteered their homes—the first foster families.
From those early improvised efforts, coupled with the selflessness, generosity, and boundless energy of Jane Nygaard, Chick Myers, Agnes Rambeck, Ardis Brown and others, an extraordinary organization emerged from their love for Golden Retrievers.
RAGOM is now blessed with hundreds of amazing volunteers who daily keep the rescue efforts moving forward: fostering, training, transporting, visiting prospective homes, fundraising, organizing events, and more.
Throughout our 32-year history, more than 8,000 dogs—Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes—have entered RAGOM’s circle and moved on to the Golden Life because of our volunteers and supporters!
On this aniversary we congratulate and send our gratitude to our founders, our volunteers, and our supporters. Thank you and Happy Anniversary!
RAGOM Announces Adoption Rate Increase
The RAGOM Board of Directors recently voted to increase RAGOM’s adoption rates effective January 1, 2017.
The reasons for the increase are many. Our rates have not increased in almost five years. However, our average expenditure for dogs in our care has increased to approximately $625 per dog, driven by the increased medical and behavioral needs of the dogs who come to us, as well as increased general vet costs.
The new rate structure is as follows:
Under 24 months: $475
24 months to less than 9 years: $400
9 years and older: $175
Turkish Golden under 12 months: $800
Turkish Golden 12 months and older: $600
We will also begin offering refunds to adopters if they attend training courses with their new dog. Adopters will be eligible for a $25 refund for completing one training course and another $25 if they complete an advanced course.
While this increase is effective January 1, 2017, applicants who are currently working with fosters to adopt their dogs will pay the current adoption rate.