Love Knows No Borders - China

In late 2018, we learned about the very real need to rescue golden retrievers living in brutal conditions in some overseas countries. Several golden retriever rescue groups in the states have already taken part in these rescue efforts and we are learning a lot from them, including the desperate need to get other rescue groups involved in this effort.

In China, the meat market is a very real threat to all dogs within the country, and sadly, goldens are a preferred breed due to size and temperament. There are also height restrictions throughout China, making legal ownership of a Golden Retriever difficult. A Beijing law states that a dog taller than 35 cm (1.1 ft) is considered illegal and that the dog can be locked up and put down if intercepted by police. Golden Retriever owners have to walk their dog at unpopular hours for fear of confiscation.

For international rescue to even begin in the first place, it requires individuals in their home county to dedicate their time rescuing and preparing the dogs for travel. This requires donations to maintain facilities and purchase food and medications to keep the dogs healthy. Each dog requires several health certificates and vaccinations given at specific times, a 30 day minimum quarantine, and a USDA permit. We also require dogs to test negative for Brucella, and we have recently implemented a 10-day US quarantine to meet the requirements of NC Department of Agriculture for African swine fever prevention. The medical requirements are not all that challenging, as long as you understand what is needed and the timelines required. We partner with several international rescue groups in China, including Together for Animals in China, Saving Harbin Dogs, and No Dogs Left Behind.

Video taken by a Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon volunteer on a recent trip to China.

Our first international rescue took place in early March 2019 when we brought 4 dogs (Tian, Mei Mei, Jin, and Zhen Zhen) from Baicheng, China. It was through a very generous donation, and a lot of guidance from other rescues here in the states, that we were able to pull off this amazing rescue effort.

Tian

(God of Heaven)

Mei Mei

(Little sister/Beautiful)

Jin

(Gold)

Zhen Zhen

(Very precious)

Four more trips from China in 2019 brought an additional 19 dogs into the rescue. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a halt to international rescue for much of 2020 however, we are planning to resume bringing in dogs from for the latter part of the year.

It takes a lot of coordination to pull off international rescue and we are grateful for our dedicated volunteers and donors who help us achieve this lifesaving pursuit. While it is quite the journey for both the dogs and our amazing volunteers, we firmly believe that it is worth it. Our love of the breed knows no borders, and we are excited to be saving lives. Please consider making a donation to our international rescue fund so we can continue this important mission.

Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and complete the volunteer form to register.