Momo used to be a mangy stray dog that roamed the streets of Taiwan. However, the golden retriever, now fit and healthy with a smooth and shiny coat of fur, is preparing to begin a new life in the US.
Momo and three other former street dogs flew to Los Angeles on Monday, where they were picked up by volunteers from the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Rescue, a non-profit organization devoted to rescuing stray golden retrievers and finding them new loving owners.
Taiwanese street dogs are popular in Los Angeles, the club’s chairperson, Sandy Diamond, said, adding that she herself adopted a stray from Taiwan.
According to Diamond, dogs from Taiwan have a reputation for having good personalities.
“Gary is fantastic,” said Paul Schettles, a volunteer at the club.
Schettles adopted Gary from Taiwan more than three months ago. He had no plan to adopt Gary at first, intending to keep the dog for one night while the club searched for a foster family. However, Gary stole his heart right away, Schettles said.
Thanks to Project Taiwan, initiated by the club in late 2008 along with two dog lovers from Taiwan, Rita and M.J., many street dogs have found their home sweet home in the US.
It all started when they were alerted by an e-mail from Rita to the problems facing unwanted golden retrievers in Taiwan, Diamond said. Rita described Taiwan as being very densely populated, which meant it was difficult to find new owners for rescued large-breed dogs.
According to Rita, unwanted dogs either ended up in a shelter and often euthanized after seven days, or were left on the street.
Since Project Taiwan began, the club has helped 86 abandoned dogs find new owners in the US, and the number is still increasing, Diamond said.
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