COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — If you’ve got some extra room, some extra time, and a little extra love in your heart…continue reading. There are golden retrievers in our area that need a temporary home.
The Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Floridasays it’s in need of foster homes to house dogs while they find permanent homes for them.
The non-profit organization serves the entire Southwest Florida community. But they've also rescued dogs from as far away as Korea.
“It’s probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.” Karen McConaghy has been volunteering with the organization for over six years.
She’s lost track of the amount of dogs she’s fostered. “To watch them transform from these scared dogs that are sometimes not in great shape physically, and they’re hungry and skinny to something like this. It’s just - it’s the best feeling in the world”, she tells Fox 4.
Alesia Galuppo is the president and medical director of the rescue. She says most of the almost 900 dogs they’ve saved over the last ten years have come from shelters and owner surrenders, including ones like her own dog, Stormy.
“SInce we don’t have a facility like a shelter where we can house them, we work through fosters.”
The time the dog could stay in your home varies. She says it could be as short as two weeks to as long as right months. But the rescue pays for the golden’s medical needs and training. You’d pay for food and additional (optional) items like toys.
The dogs are completely vetted before they enter your home, and so are you via an application process.
Could you be a good foster candidate?
Alesia says the main requirement that they’re seeking is someone who loves dogs.
If you can’t foster, there other ways for you to get involved with the rescue. They’re even looking for volunteers to transport goldens to and from appointments. For more information on how to get involved, click here.
Stay on top of Florida news by downloading our ABC Action News Streaming App available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
