Happy New Year!

I want to take this time to thank all our supporters who gave to our end of year Giving Campaign. We surpassed our goal and raised nearly $38,000!!! We have the most generous friends in the world and I assure you each and every penny raised will go to the care of our Orphans.  We closed the year out at 402 dogs saved. That is our highest total ever and we couldn't do it without the donations you make.  

We are now the second largest golden retriever rescue in the country based on the number of dogs taken in. That's pretty remarkable for an organization that was just 8 years old on October 1, 2003. Thank you all and I wish you and all your loved ones a joyous 2012.  Hope to see you at the Golden Gala on February 25th. Invitation coming soon! 

One more thing I want to remind you of..... if your golden has a medical or behavioral issue, please reach out to us.  We have numerous resources to help you, whether you adopted your dog through us or not.  I would like to share a letter we received this week.  Please remember its message.

Lauren Genkinger

President & Founder

"Thanks, AGA!"

Early in December I found a small lump on Dooley, my 5 year old golden, who I adopted from Adopt A Golden Atlanta about two years ago. I took him to my vet for a needle biopsy. When the results came back that the lump was cancer, I e-mailed a good friend of mine who volunteers for AGA and had helped me adopt Dooley. In a few hours, I received a call from the president and founder of AGA. She was very knowledgeable about sarcoma-- the type of cancer Dooley had. She also had the AGA medical director call me and discuss this type of cancer and what I should do. They recommended I take Dooley to Georgia Veterinary Specialists for treatment.  In addition to that, they helped me get an appointment the next day. I am so glad I listened to them! 

Dooley had two surgeries and now is on the road to recovery. Through all of this, I have received calls and e-mails from AGA; they even followed up with my surgeon to check on Dooley. The people at Georgia Veterinary Specialists think so highly of AGA. My surgeon, Dr Lori MacDougal, said, "We love AGA. They take such good care of their dogs." 

When our pets become injured or ill, we often don't know where to turn for advice or options for treatment but now AGA is there to help us. Don't hesitate to contact them. You can e-mail them at: info@adoptagoldenatlanta.com or call 404.364.5377. I am SO glad I did! 

-Ellen Griffin

Our fourth annual Golden Gala is scheduled Saturday, February 25, at 7 pm at Mason Murer Fine Art.  Mark your calendar now and come enjoy elaborate food stations from A Legendary Event and adult beverages including our signature Goldentini - individual ticket information will be out soon.  Sponsor levels are available at $500 and up.  

The event features a short program highlighting some of our goldens (who attend the event, of course!) and our largest silent auction of the year.  We are currently seeking silent auction items, bottles of wine for the wine tower and gift cards for our gift card tree. Presenting Sponsor is Cox Media Group/WSB-TV/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  Event chairs are Justin and Allison Farmer. 

To donate or sponsor, please contact juliann@adoptagoldenatlanta.com.

Lauren Genkinger (President & Marketing)*
Carolyn Gambino (VP & Medical & Intake)*

Bill Hamblin (Treasurer)*
Joan Heazel (Business Affairs)*

Liz Benevides (Dog Placement)

Deneen Bingham (Fosters)

Juliann Kaiser (Events and PR)  

Melissa Libby (E-News/Social Media)

Carol Swenson (Volunteers)

Linda Woods (Grants & Corp Partnerships)  

*Denotes Executive Board