11 Golden Retrievers Arrive In Golden State After Being Abandoned In Taiwan
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Eleven Golden Retrievers, abandoned in Taiwan, arrived in Los Angeles Sunday afternoon for what so many humans come to the Golden State for: a better life.
Goldens are popular in Taiwan as a puppy gift for children, but houses there are small and cultural differences make abandoning a growing, unwanted pet acceptable, said Lois Julien, a spokeswoman for Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. Some of the dogs had their mouths rubber-banded shut to prevent them from eating garbage as they were let loose.
"The vast majority of Taiwanese love their puppies and take good care of them," she said. "But some of them have very small homes, and as they dogs get older they are abandoned."
Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue has worked with animal rescue groups in Taipei to nurse the dogs back to health. But finding new homes for them in the island nation was impossible, she said.
After the dogs cleared Customs today, they are to be put up for adoption by families that pass an interview process.
"Each dog comes with a certificate of health that includes its age, sex, where it was living, and X-rays for hip dysplasia, which some dogs do have," Julien said. A $300 fee covers all inoculations, but donations have covered the bulk of the rescue, veterinary and transportation fees.
Information about adopting the dogs is available by calling the rescue group at (866) 299-1899, or visiting their Web site.
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