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The January/February issue of GRREAT News is available for downloading.
Dollars for
Doers Do you know that your volunteer efforts can be turned into cash for GRREAT dogs? Some companies offer to donate money to non-profit organizations for the volunteer work done by their employees and retirees. The donation is based on the number of service hours the employee/retiree has performed for the non-profit. Through the Dollars for Doers program, GRREAT benefits twice: once from the volunteer's contribution of time and again from the financial contribution made by the volunteer's employer. If you are a GRREAT volunteer, please ask your employer if they participate in the Dollars for Doers program. If they do not, we would be so grreatful if you would ask them to consider it. Here is a suggested Dollars for Doers policy you can give to your employer to help set up a program at your company.
Sponsor Me! Many of us have the ability to open our hearts to a Special Needs Golden, but not necessarily our homes, so GRREAT has initiated a "Sponsor Me!" program. Of the 250 dogs we take in every year, many require extensive medical attention before they can be adopted into their forever homes. Unfortunately, there are some whose medical conditions and/or age make them unadoptable, and they must remain in GRREAT foster homes on a permanent basis. The medical needs of these Long Term Foster dogs are provided for by GRREAT for the rest of their lives, and the love, attention, and daily care they deserve are provided for by their forever foster homes. Each year, an average of 3-4 dogs become Long Term Fosters; some are considered hospice care dogs, and others may live comfortably for several years.
We invite you to look at our
Special Needs Dog page to learn about each of
our Long Term Fosters, and to consider becoming a sponsor for one (or more) of
them. As you read about each of the dogs, just click the
HELP WANTED! There are many families in our area waiting to adopt Goldens but GRREAT is in need of foster homes who can provide a temporary home for these dogs (over 250 every year), usually for a 3-4 week period, during which time the golden can be evaluated and cared for medically, its behavior and temperament can be assessed and then the foster family can match this dog with the right adoptive family from the hundred or so approved applicants that we have. GRREAT pays for all pre-approved medical expenses, provides leash, collar, heartworm preventative, and will gladly work closely with you should any questions arise. If for some reason the foster dog just doesn't seem to be able to acclimate to your home, we will move the foster dog. You are not stuck with a dog, nor do you have to take a dog if the timing is not good for you. If you would like to be part of the solution to the problem of the thousands of dogs that are killed in this country every week because of lack of homes, this may be the answer for you!!!!! Just send Denise Malczewski an e-mail and we will contact you with more information.
Virginia "Golden Retriever Rescue"
GRREAT and our partner to the south, Southeast Virginia GRREAT, are gauging interest in a
Golden Retriever Rescue license plate for Virginia drivers. The basic
program requires 350 prepaid applications. As 501(c)3 organizations, our
rescues qualify for Revenue Sharing. With our combined memberships, we
should be able to meet this criteria. Plates authorized for revenue sharing
cost $25 annually. Personalization is an additional $10 annually. Revenue
sharing provides $15 of every $25 paid to the DMV to be shared with the
qualified organization after the sale of the first 1000 plates. If you are
interested in this program, please contact
Lona Gordon. (Note:
Golden Retriever Rescue plates have been available in Maryland for several
years. Here's how to get one.)
Update Your Contact Info
All GRREAT dogs should microchipped (if not, you need to get that done as
soon as possible). But a microchip doesn't help your lost dog get home
if GRREAT doesn't have your current contact information. If you have
moved or changed phone numbers since your dog received his chip, send your
updated information to membership@grreat.org.
Then we'll be able be able to contact you if we are notified that your dog
has been found by someone.
Forever Friends
We are pleased to announce a new fund to honor your special pet that has
gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. This memorial fund will allow you to pay
tribute to your dog, cat, or other special critter, and at the same time
help our GRREAT Golden Retrievers find their forever homes. Please visit the
Forever Friends to read about Gus
06-212, the first forever friend and all the other friends that are listed.
While you're there, you can find out how to list your special forever
friend.
It Takes Dozens of Volunteers to Keep
GRREAT has no paid staff. Everything we do to help homeless Goldens in
the mid-Atlantic area is done by volunteers. Some of our volunteers
spend several hours a day and others much less. Can you afford some
time each week to be sure all of our dogs find new homes? Check out
our updated volunteer page to see if there isn't
something you could do to help.
Your Donation Dollars at Work
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