Hal Bowles, Application Development Manager, has never purchased a dog before. However, in the past 28 years, he has owned 17 of them. So where did they come from? "They were all rescued in one way or another," said Bowles. "Living in the country, many times dogs would be abandoned on our property. If I couldn't find homes for them, they just stayed”. While most of the rescues were mixed-breed dogs, there have been some purebred dogs among them.

In 2017, an organization of which Bowles is a member wanted to support a South Carolina charity. With his interest in dogs, it was a natural match for Bowles to suggest animal rescue. Thus, a partnership was born with the Grand Strand Golden Retriever Rescue. Grand Strand Golden Retriever Rescue (GSGRR) is an all-volunteer group based in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of homeless Golden Retrievers into the best homes possible to ensure their lifelong love and care.

With Bowles' assistance, the first year of the partnership raised more than $600 in a one-night event. "Medical care is the largest expenditure a rescue has." Many dogs that come to the GSGRR are heartworm positive and unvaccinated. "Our rescue pays to have animals vaccinated and spayed or neutered before they are available for adoption," he stated.

As part of his involvement with the rescue group, Bowles has transported dogs to both foster and permanent homes. One thing he has learned through this is that he cannot foster a dog. "So far, we have a 100% failure rate for fostering dogs," he declared. "We've tried to foster them, and so far, all three have become part of our household."

Bowles encourages anyone with an interest in dogs to consider becoming a foster parent. "Our rescue pays for all medical treatment for the animal while it is in your care, including heartworm and flea preventative," declared Bowles. And in return, there's the satisfaction of knowing you've helped save another life.

To learn more about Grand Strand Golden Retriever Rescue, visit https://www.grandstrandgrr.org/.