Along came a pair of dogs. A pair who happily trot through our doors coming from a very loving home, with owners that would do anything for them, including rehoming because of their own terminal illness and their inability to give the dogs what they deserve and need each day.

Along came a dog. He warily walks through our doors with a low hanging head because his only person in this world passed away and family members could not keep him. Along came a group of dogs. Dogs who are carried through our doors because they are so nervous that they cannot stand up on their own four legs. Dogs that are matted to their skin and have never felt a loving home because they have lived solely to create more puppies.

Along came a dog. A dog who sprints wildly through our doors because he has been unable to live life, crated for over 20 hours per day since the age of 3 months old due to neglectful owners who were not ready for this responsibility.

This is often where the journey begins for many YGRR Goldens and Goldens-At-Heart. You may be surprised to know that our reach, rescuing these precious pups, extends far beyond the boundaries of New England. In the past year, we have transported dogs from states as far as Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas, as well as regularly making trips to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

It is stating the obvious that safely getting the dogs to YGRR requires reliable transportation as the critical first step to ensure that our Goldens will first survive, and then thrive. The timing can be critical and life-saving; the van needs to be primed to go and reliable.

The year is coming to an end, yet our doors remain wide open for those that need us most. Our doors are open to these amazing souls because of generous and dedicated donors like you. YOU have been the reason that these dogs have all had a place to call “home” until they find their forever home. We kindly ask for your continued support of a substantial end-of-year donation as we celebrate a year well done, and look ahead to more creative endeavors in pursuit of our vision and in dedication to our mission. To help these Golden Retrievers and Golden-Hearted dogs find their forever homes, we continue to develop and modify our programs, creating the best possible environment; mentally, emotionally and physically.

Your support has allowed us to launch new staff positions dedicated to dog education, development, and adoption efficiency and quality – positions that did not exist previously. It has allowed us to create reinspired spaces for our volunteers to spend time with the dogs awaiting their adoption day, allowing them to have more time in home-like environments and less time in the kennel. Your support has also allowed us to make improvements to our facility in order to support our staff, volunteers, and of course, the rescue dogs. There are many big accomplishments to be proud of in 2024.

However, as this year comes to a close, we look ahead with inspiration and determination to continue building and creating new programs for our dogs, new opportunities to help and support our surrounding communities, and new facility upgrades to continue pushing Yankee toward further becoming a modernized, gold-standard rescue facility. We ask that you support these future initiatives with a donation before the year ends, and continue
being our partner is saving the lives of Goldens and Golden-Hearted dogs.

You have helped over 6000 dogs come through our doors without a family to call their own, and then
leave with their very own family full of unconditional love and slobbery kisses. It’s now time for you to
help the next 6000! We wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season!

With Wags and Gratitude,

Devon Spirka
Executive Director