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.