Joe Kahlo
Twenty rescued golden retrievers have met their forever families Sunday.
The 20 lucky pups met their new, loving families after being saved from a meat market in China.
Thanks to Golden Rescue South Florida, they have their first place to call home and a second chance at life.
It was a lengthy process, and, for many, an emotional time. Thank God,” said Patrick McGrath, fighting back the tears.
He was one of the people bringing a golden retriever home. “We got her. She will have a life,” he said.
“Currently in China, they’re for meat consumption. They eat the dogs for meat, and we teamed up with the rescue back in June to save these dogs.
So, this has been six months in the making,” said rescue coordinator Kristine Minerva
Minerva said it required medical testing, examinations for the dogs, and getting them through customs.
Due to the pandemic, they could not do their usual fundraiser, but they still managed to raise the $60,000 it took to get the dogs here.
Once the dogs got a check-up, quick bath and some snacks, they were ready to go home with their new families.
“These dogs have been through traumatic experiences, so some of them really don’t know how to act like a dog,” Minerva explained.
“So it’s going to take a lot of patience, a lot of training and a lot of determination to get the dog to that golden breed and that golden demeanour, which we know that they all can be.”
“This is the happiest day in 2020 for me. The fact that we’ve been waiting so long for these dogs to arrive.
It’s been such a long journey, and to have her here means everything, it truly is making our year,” said new dog owner Katie Brown.
“This is what rescue is all about,” Brown said. “Taking the time to give the unconditional love to animals that they give to us.”
Local businesses donated bags with food and other supplies.
All twenty families who brought home a dog had previously gone through home inspections from Golden Rescue South Florida and were required to fill out a questionnaire.
