For the sixth year, the National Rescue Committee requested data from the Golden Retriever Rescue programs with which we interact and acknowledge on our web site.  Ninety of the 97 programs responded.

An increase in the number of dogs rescued can be noticed, but that increase is very likely reflective of the greater number of programs reporting their activities to us. Of the 10,098 dogs rescued, 8,638 were purebred Golden Retrievers.

Several trends can be identified, either from the data or from our frequent interactions with the programs:

The average amount spent for each dog accepted for veterinary care is rising each year. For 2006, it was $383 per dog. Dogs being received are increasingly in need of more and more involved veterinary care. Seven hundred and seventy-five were treated for heartworm and this condition leads in number for the treatments for tick-borne and insect-borne diseases, although the treatment for Valley Fever, for example, can be more costly. Clearly the largest increases are seen in the treatment of Lyme Disease and cancer. Orthopedic surgeries remain about the same in number, although costs have increased.

The percentages requiring spaying or neutering before

adoption remains consistent from year to year (about 50%).  Rescue programs all have a mandatory spay/neuter policy.

Transportation of dogs from one region of the country to other regions continues and likely is increasing in frequency.  Emotions run high on both sides of this issue, and our role is one of encouraging:

 Compliance with both Federal (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and state regulations; that only healthy and diseasefree dogs are transported.

Quality of care during transport.
Adequate behavioral evaluation before transport.
Screening of the adoptive home before placement.
A “safety net” plan should the adoption fail in the new region.

Boarding of dogs is increasingly necessary as many programs suffer form lack of foster homes.

A staff of 6,307 volunteers in 2006 is an all-time high and reflects the increasingly hard work that programs put forth to provide quality of care and the necessary fund raising.

Other information we collected is available on the NRC website (www.grca-nrc.org). Please contact any member of the National Rescue Committee with questions.