South Florida group helps rescue golden retrievers

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Man's best friend. Fun, furry, playful and lovable.

But what happens when you are faced with the unfortunate decision to either take care of your dog, or take care of your kids?

Lisa Hodgson is a volunteer with Golden Rescue South Florida. "Vet bills are unbelievable! And people in this economy are having a terrible time. People are losing their homes, they're making choices they probably never thought they’d have to make."

And one of those tough choices is to give up their dogs.

Hodgson says, "A huge increase in dogs in need, a huge increase in older dogs, a huge increase in sick dogs, and absolutely a reflection of the economy."

Rescue organizations like Golden Rescue South Florida have popped up to help these loving animals find a new family.

It was started primarily to protect golden retrievers that were showing up in the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter. The Miami-Dade Animal Shelter is a "kill" shelter, it is essentially to get dogs out as fast as they come in Hodgson says.

Golden Rescue has expanded into Palm Beach County and places about 200 golden retrievers a year... dogs that otherwise wouldn't be around today.

Sharon and Jeff Damato adopted a golden retriever from the organization. "We saw all Lisa's four goldens at her house and they were just so wonderful and she pointed us to Maggie, we knew right away that she's the one we wanted. And we got her and she's perfect!" Jeff says, "The older dogs, you get them and they're trained they're lovable, they're ready to go."

The group stays tight with all their adopted families, friends and volunteers. In fact, this weekend they are having a big event for all of their adopted pets and their human families.

If you find yourself in need to surrender your golden retriever or you want to adopt one of these beautiful dogs, or you just want to donate money to help them out, Please go to their website and see how they can help.

Dogs currently available: Click here