Turkey Dogs Are Coming to GRRIN!

Turkey Dog White Background

UPDATE 5/22: The Turkey dogs have been receiving a lot of media coverage. Check out some of the stories here:

KETV: http://www.ketv.com/news/rescued-golden-retrievers-travel-from-turkey-to-omaha/39665534

UPDATE 5/20 @ 4pm: The Turkey dogs have landed! No matter what country they’re from, they still have that Golden spirit. Here are some photos of the newly landed pups!

Turkey Dog Arrival 1 Turkey Dog Arrival 2 Turkey Dog Arrival 3

UPDATE 5/20 @ 8am: The Turkey dogs are officially in the air and on their way to Nebraska! All five dogs that GRRIN is welcoming into rescue will meet with their foster families this weekend after their long trip. Here are pictures of the five new dogs:

Turkey Dog Female - Madison Turkey-Dog-Female---Aurora-edited Turkey-Dog-Female---Sydney-edited-web Turkey-Dog-Female---Valentine-edited-web Turkey-Dog-Male---York-edited-web

Thank you to all of our supporters! Stay tuned for an updated list.

Fox 42 featured the Turkey dog mission here!

Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska will rescue five Golden Retrievers from Istanbul, Turkey. The very first flight of pups will arrive in Chicago at the end of May, and GRRIN volunteers will transport them to Omaha.

The life of a Golden Retriever in Turkey is very different than a normal house dog in America. There are many homeless dogs in Turkey. With minimal room in Turkish shelters, many of these dogs live on the street or in forests after they are spayed/neutered and given rabies vaccines. Because Golden Retrievers are not effective pack dogs and are of gentle nature, their odds of surviving on the street are not favorable. These dogs are in need of a fur-ever home and a family who will love them unconditionally.

Dogs wait for transport at a shelter in Turkey

Q & A – Turkey Golden Retrievers

Why are you rescuing dogs from Turkey?

As we mentioned before, there are many homeless Golden Retrievers in Turkey. One of GRRIN’s missions is to rescue a Golden in need, and dogs located outside of the U.S. are no exception to that. There has also been a decrease in the number of foster dogs within GRRIN due to a lack of surrenders. We used to foster at least 50 dogs per year, but since 2010 we have only averaged 25-30 foster dogs per year – and we still receive the same number of applicants and always maintain a waiting list. Some of our families wait a year to adopt a Golden through GRRIN. We know that there are many loving families within our state who are more than willing to help a pup in need. That’s why we’ve decided to participate in rescuing Turkey dogs.

What kind of medical care do they receive in Turkey?

Golden Retrievers coming from Turkey do not receive a great deal of specialty care. They are spayed or neutered and receive rabies vaccines while living in Turkey. Dogs with health issues are not allowed to travel outside of the country.

Why aren’t they quarantined when they arrive in the U.S.?

The dogs are isolated together in Turkey, and receive health certificates and passports before leaving the country. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must review the dogs’ documentation and clear each pup once they have arrived within America.

How are they transported to the U.S.?

Just as humans do, Turkey dogs fly in air-conditioned, pressurized cabins to ensure they are comfortable for the long plane ride. To ensure that all transported dogs arrive safely, they are housed in individual storage crates.

What happens after they arrive in the U.S.?

Turkey dogs are treated just like any other new pup in our care. Each dog receives a wellness exam, blood work and fecal tests. We also like to evaluate each dog’s temperament and knowledge. For instance, are they capable of walking on a leash. And yes, they will have to learn to understand English commands!

Does adopting Turkey Dogs negatively affect the adoption of Golden Retrievers who need to be rescued in the U.S.?

No, there are waiting lists of loving families all over the country who are ready to help a Golden Retriever in need. There is no risk to Golden Retrievers in the U.S. with the adoption of Turkey dogs. GRRIN has many foster homes available, so local dogs needing care will not be affected.

Is the process for adopting a Turkey dog different than normal?

The adoption fee for a Turkey dog is $600. This is much more than our standard adoption fee of $300. The extra cost helps us cover transportation expenses to bring these dogs to America. GRRIN will process applications like we do for all of our dogs that need a fur-ever home. A fenced yard is required and dogs must live indoors as part of the family. We may have more specific needs for each dog.