Share the Love!
Each year, beginning on Valentine’s Day, a group of family foundations, businesses, and generous individuals comes together to build a Fund of Love. Their donations stand ready to be matched during our spring fundraiser: Double the Gold Challenge.
Fund of Love and Double the Gold Challenge donations provide a large percentage of the funds needed to cover our medical expenses each year. They also help us support nearly 50 dogs with ongoing care in permanent foster or sanctuary with us at Homeward Bound.
Last year, Homeward Bound welcomed 408 dogs – many with significant medical issues or special needs. Homeward Bound has always welcomed dogs regardless of their age, health, or special needs. Because we are one of the few Golden rescues in the nation with a facility, we can accept dogs that foster-based rescues simply cannot accommodate. It’s why our intake numbers are four to five times higher than most other Golden rescues, and it is why our medical costs are so significant. Last year’s total was $544,007.
With your support, we have been able to provide each dog with necessary care including ear surgeries, tumor removals, heartworm disease treatment, hundreds of spays and neuters, numerous orthopedic, obstruction, and miscellaneous surgeries, and countless treatments for various infections and illnesses. Last year’s Fund of Love ambassador dog was Finley. Take a look at the transformation you made possible in the video below:
Meet Cyrus – Our 2026 Ambassador Dog!
Cyrus arrived in July of 2025 – part of a group of dogs rescued from an unspeakable fate in China. When Homeward Bound was asked for our preference among the rescued dogs, the answer was simple: “Send us whoever needs us most.” Cyrus definitely needed us. The reason was immediately apparent.
He suffered from a condition called angular limb deformity: his knees faced outward – the result of compromised growth plate development, lack of good nutrition, and spending the first two years of his life in a small, cramped cage, unable to stand correctly. He waddled instead of walking upright – his mobility severely compromised. His future looked painful as the pressure on the joints would lead to early arthritis and continued joint degeneration.
Cyrus underwent surgery in mid-November at UC Davis to correct the deformity on his first leg. Unfortunately, the pins holding the hardware in place had not penetrated deeply enough into the core bone, causing the hardware to fail. In early December, he returned to UC Davis for a repeat surgery on the same leg. Thankfully, things are going much better this time! It’s a delight to see him stand up straight on that leg after so many months. Still, it marks the beginning of a long journey to recovery and a second chapter for this sweet, gentle, and forgiving boy who must still go through the same process on his second leg.
The intricate surgery first required a CT scan and a 3-D model built to guide the surgeons in reconstructing the leg. Each surgery took five hours to perform. Recovery took several months and began in our recovery ward. His new gait started out unsure and gawky, but over the first 2-3 weeks, we watched as he stood upright, gaining confidence and muscle.
Homeward Bound will see Cyrus through his surgeries and provide whatever medical support is needed. Costs are expected to reach $30,000. We think he is worth every penny…don’t you?!
We can say ‘yes’ to dogs like Cyrus because of the generous donations and huge hearts of people like you. We can’t do it without you.
Cyrus is just one dog with extraordinary needs that we are supporting. So far, in January alone, we welcomed 50 dogs – many with significant medical needs. You will read about their stories throughout the campaign, but here is a sample:
Daisy was surrendered at four months of age because she leaks urine. She has an ectopic ureter, a congenital abnormality where one or both ureters bypass the bladder resulting in chronic incontinence. Daisy will undergo a laser ablation at UC Davis, one of only a handful of Veterinary Hospitals in the country that offer this minimally invasive treatment with high success rates.
Simba’s owner listed him on Craigslist. Thankfully, a rescue networker intervened. At five years of age, he has been living with an untreated hip dysplasia his whole life. On one side, the femur head is completely out of the hip socket, causing painful bone-on-bone perpetual contact. He underwent FHO surgery on February 9th.
Shamus is a recent arrival from China. We call him our peg-leg pirate for his permanently stiff rear leg which juts out at a near 45-degree angle. On the other side, he needs hip surgery. His visit to the orthopedic specialist will determine his course. His journey is just beginning.
Woody, age 8, arrived late last year with chronic skin, ear, and thyroid issues. The hairless dog was a hot, itchy, stinky mess. He went home with one of our fosters for frequent medicated baths and ear treatments. This month, the transformation is complete. You won’t believe your eyes.
Abigail will steal your heart in an instant. She was surrendered at age five with a grade 5 heart murmur, Subaortic Stenosis (SAS) – a heart defect that resulted in frequent fainting, and Pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection. A consult with the cardiac specialist has her on a new regimen of medications designed to stabilize her heart condition, while her foster tends to her skin care. We are already seeing incredible progress.
These are just some of the dogs who have recently come to us in search of health, happiness, and home.
Please Sponsor Our Fund of Love
These are just some of the examples of the lengths we will go to restore dogs’ health and give them every chance for bright futures. Throughout this campaign, we will share their progress and the stories of other dogs with significant medical needs. We can be here for them because of your generous donations and the big hearts of people like you.
Please join us in our mission to continue providing the best possible care and chance for a happy life for deserving dogs by helping us build our Fund of Love.
The minimum donation for the Fund of Love is $250. You can choose to donate a greater amount or endow the entire fund. In the spring, we turn to a much wider audience to pool their giving and match your generosity in the Double the Gold Challenge. 100% of the proceeds of both campaigns are dedicated to the medical care of the hundreds of dogs who come to us each year seeking safety, health, happiness, and forever homes.
To contribute to the Homeward Bound Fund of Love, you may use the following options:
To contribute securely online, click the Donate button below.
To contribute by mail with a check or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express), click here to download our printable donation form. Mail the completed form, including credit card information if applicable, to:
Fund of Love
Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc.
7495 Natomas Road
Elverta, Ca 95626
On behalf of the Goldens that will benefit by your generosity, our heartfelt thanks.