OUR MISSION
WAAGR's mission is to provide bright new beginnings to displaced Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixes. Wisconsin Adopt a Golden Retriever is an all volunteer/member Golden Retriever rescue organization serving the state of Wisconsin and parts of Illinois. WAAGR was established in September 2004 and was given 501(c)(3) status in February 2005.
Our first dog was rescued in May of 2005.
WAAGR has no paid staff and depends on the generosity of individuals that want to help provide a safe and happy life for Golden Retrievers that for whatever reason have lost their homes. Our volunteers/members do what needs to be done to help these kind and loving animals find the perfect home. It is our belief that education and staying involved in our communities is the key to great placements in great forever homes. If you would like to become a member or volunteer with WAAGR, please click here.
OUR DOGS
WAAGR dogs come from as close as next door to as far as China. We take in surrenders from families that can no longer care for their golden, but luckily, that doesn't happen often. We maintain relationships with both local and national humane societies and serve as a resource for them if they cannot take in a golden in their area. We work particularly close with Pets Going Places in Texas to bring golden mixes to Wisconsin.
A few years ago we also started working with a rescue in Puerto Rico. After the recent hurricanes there, many families had to leave without taking their pets. While many stray dogs roam the streets, dogs that had homes also found themselves fending for themselves.
In 2019 we started our newest outreach program- saving dogs in the Chinese meat market. See below for more details!
China Dog Initiative
There is so much sadness involved with the dog meat market in China. Every day, truckloads of dogs are dropped off for slaughter. Purebred golden retrievers, along with many other breeds, suffer unfathomably painful deaths. Since 2019, WAAGR has pledged to help bring these dogs to the United States where they can start their new lives. We work with several other rescues to arrange transports, flight volunteers, and necessary paperwork. The cost of saving a dog from China is approximately $1,000 per dog. These dogs come here knowing nothing, and start from the beginning to learn how to be a dog. So far, we've rescued 9 dogs from these horrific conditions.
Artie
Waris
Lacie
