Location |
7495 Natomas Road, Elverta, CA 95626 |
Hours |
Thursday 11:00 - 4:00 by appointment |
Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 by appointment |
Closed Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Friday |
Call 916-655-1410 for an appointment |
Phone/Fax |
916-655-1410 / 916-655-3410 |
Web |
http://www.homewardboundgoldens.org/ |
Co-Directors & Founders |
Mike & Jody Jones |
Tax ID |
#68-0442702 |
Established |
January, 2000 |
Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. is volunteer animal organization that rescues and heals displaced, abandoned, and homeless Golden Retrievers and Golden/Labrador mixes through Northern California. Homeward Bound secures safe, loving, homes through a comprehensive adoption program and also provides sanctuary for Goldens who cannot be adopted. Homeward Bound provides education on proper animal care, and on the benefits of, and need for, rescue and sanctuary. Homeward Bound continues to serve as a model rescue organization, which addresses animal welfare needs throughout California and neighboring states. Due to HBGRR's leadership in rescue, sanctuary, and education, all Golden Retrievers and other dogs will be well cared for, living in safe, nurturing, and loving homes. Each rescued Golden immediately receives a thorough veterinary exam. All of our Goldens will be spayed or neutered before an adoption can occur, all vaccinations are brought up to date, and each Golden is tested for heartworm. We rescue the old, the sick and injured Goldens as well as the young healthy ones. Some of these Goldens will have significant health issues and it is our responsibility to provide them with expert veterinary care prior to offering them for adoption.
Inspiration Behind this Organization
About 12 years ago Mike and Jody's Golden Retriever Chelsea was hit by a car. When they took Chelsea to the vet, the vet told them that the chances of Chelsea making it was not high. With those circumstances Mike told Jody if Chelsea makes it, we will rescue Golden Retrievers and dogs for the rest of our lives. They wanted to create a place where dogs can be given a second chance, where dogs can be surrendered if the owner can no longer care for their dog, and where dogs can be rescued from the shelter. That is how Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. was created. Chelsea was the Golden Retriever that started it all for the Homeward Bound Golden Retrievers Rescue and Sanctuary. Homeward Bound takes in any type of dog, not just Golden Retrievers. Although the name portrays that they take in only Golden Retrievers they don’t. Anyone can surrender their dog to Homeward Bound if they can no longer provide for it. Also they take in abandoned dogs and dogs from animal shelters to ensure that they do not get euthanized.
Rescue Statistics
In 2011, 539 dogs were rescued and from 2000-2010, 5,792 dogs have been rescued.
The Golden Taxi is used for picking up dogs from shelters, driving to the local vet, or transporting dogs from distant parts of the state.
See also other local services & organizations.
Volunteers
Homeward Bound operates and functions solely on people who volunteer their time at Homeward Bound. The requirements to be a volunteer are that a person must be at least 13 year of age and attend volunteer orientation. The time commitment is based on the volunteers schedule and how often that person wants to give their time. If you would like to volunteer at Homeward Bound go to the Homeward Bound web page and fill out a volunteer application. There are several volunteer jobs that are offered such as: driving the Golden Taxi, the grant writing team, landscaping, office work, marketing team, placement team, special events/fund-raising, and training/socialization.
Donations
Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. appreciates donations. To donate, send a check, payable to Homeward Bound GRR:
Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc.
7495 Natomas Rd.
Elverta, CA 95626
Donations can also be made by using Pay-Pal. PayPal is an easy and convenient way to donate. Simply click on the "PayPal/Donate" icon on the donating section on the Homeward Bound web page, then click on how to donate, next click one the Pay-Pal icon. That link will take you to a PayPal login screen. Specify the amount you wish to donate (remember it's tax deductible)! If you already have a PayPal account, you will be prompted for your PayPal login information. If you don't have a PayPal account, it's easy to set one up. Just follow the directions on the link.
The items that Homeward Bound is need of are:
- 6” & 8” sterilized bone – available from www.whitedogbone.com
- Medium & large Nylabone
- Lambskin kennel pads/blankets
- 6 ft. Nylon web leashes
- Frontline, 45-88 lb.
- Heartguard, 50-100 lb.
- Dog biscuits, any size
- Canned dog food
- Canned pureed pumpkin
- Household paper towels
- Toilet paper (safe for septic systems)
- Drum lines, 55 & 13 gallon
- Hand soap with pump
- Liquid Dawn dish soap
- Heavy duty flashlights
- Postage stamps
- Copier paper
- Foster families
- Fundraising team
- Golden Taxi drivers
- Clerical Support
- Cash donations are accepted as well.
The adoption donations that Homeward Bound receives will not cover the ongoing veterinary expenses even though they receive significant discounts from participating veterinary hospitals. If they were only incurring spay/neuter and vaccination expenses, they could probably survive without additional funding. However, Homeward Bound routinely incur expenses above and beyond because they have an “open door” policy and will rescue the sick and injured Goldens as well as the healthy ones.
Examples of our non-standard veterinary expenditures include leg amputation, tumor removal, emergency splenectomy, hip surgery, cruciate ligament surgery, treatment of leg, hip and pelvic fractures, heartworm treatment, reconstructive ear canal surgery, etc.
Homeward Bound cannot sustain their rescue activities without the communities continued support. They rely on your generous contributions to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue to continue providing rescue care to the numerous Golden Retrievers in need each year.
When you make a gift to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, you are supporting the Golden Retrievers already rescued and living in safety and your contribution is also laying a vital foundation for the Golden Retrievers they vow to rescue in years to come.
A swimming pool, designed specially for the dogs, and paid for with funds donated by a generous supporter, provides a great place for exercise, cooling off, and strengthening recovering joints and muscles.
Adoption
If you are interested in adopting a Golden Retriever from Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, it will be necessary for you to complete an adoption application as part of the initial process. This application provides them with invaluable information about the dog you’re looking to bring into your life. You can obtain and submit an adoption application in the following ways:
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The quickest way to get the adoption process started is to complete and submit your application electronically.
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Call 916-655-1410 or email jjsgoldens@homewardboundgoldens.org to request an adoption packet;
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Fax completed application to 916-655-3410, or mail it to:
Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc.
7495 Natomas Road
Elverta, CA 95626
When your application is received, it is forwarded to a volunteer who will work with you throughout the entire adoption process. The volunteer will contact you to arrange a brief “home visit”. The purpose of this visit is to gather additional information to assist us in matching you with a golden, and to answer any questions you have about Homeward Bound and the adoption process. This volunteer will be your primary Homeward Bound contact, and will assist in gathering information and making arrangements for you to meet dogs you are interested in.
When arrangements have been made for you to meet a potential golden match, please bring a leash and collar (including ID tag with your name/phone number) – as you may be going home with your new friend! Signing the adoption contract, and submitting the adoption fee will be requested at the time you take your golden home.
Once you have selected a golden, again your volunteer contact will be available to answer any questions you have during this “homecoming” period. If for any reason you and your golden are not a good match, they will assist you in selecting a different golden.
Community Involvement/Fundraisers
In addition to their rescue and adoption efforts, Homeward Bound is involved in the community. They participate in a variety of events each year - gift wrapping during the holidays at various Borders Books locations, marching in the Sacramento Santa Parade, participating in the dog day event at the UC Davis Picnic, Doggie Dash, and more. They want to let people know about the hundreds of Goldens who are rescued each year and about the many more who need rescuing. They want to educate the community about rescue and be a resource where we are needed. If you know of an event that Homeward Bound might participate in, please contact Jana Mauk, the Events Coordinator, with the details. In addition, since they are non-profit and exist on donations, we are always in search of fund-raising opportunities. If you know of a fund-raising opportunity for Homeward Bound, please let Jana know! Jana can be reached at events@homewardboundgoldens.org.
Comments
This report was written for Cynthia Linville's English 1A class at CSUS Sacramento, fall 2011.
On Sunday October 23rd, 2011 I visited Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescues and Sanctuary, Inc. My time at Homeward Bound was well spent. I received a tour of the facility, which is very nice. There is plenty of room for all the dogs there, they have room to run and play. The grass is green, mowed, and dog poop free. The water for the dogs is clean and changed regularly. I was very impressed with how organized and clean everything was. I also met a few of the dogs who are up for adoption, who are all generally very friendly. During my visit I also saw the Golden Taxi. The Golden Taxi is used for picking up dos from the shelter, or driving to the local vet, along with transporting dogs throughout the state. My overall experience at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. was good and I hope to volunteer my time there this next summer.—Chelsea Gomez (Sac State Student)