Canine Kissing Booth Helps Dogs Find New Homes

San Clemente pet boutique hosts adoption event for golden retrievers.

Barks echoed across the parking lot and humans lined up for sloppy canine kisses Saturday as hosted a golden retriever adoption event on Camino de los Mares.

The animal meet-and-greet was sponsored by Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue, which takes in 25 to 30 dogs a month, restores their physical and mental health, and places them with new owners.

"What makes us really unique is that all of our dogs are in foster care [before being adopted out]," said group co-founder Barbara Gale. "We put none of our dogs in shelters. If we don't have a foster home for them, we can't take in a dog. Our ultimate goal for the dogs is a sanctuary."

On Saturday, the group enticed potential owners with a canine kissing and photo booth, as well as myriad treats for dogs and humans.

"We screen all of our [human] applicants before we adopt a dog out to them," said member Flori Camhi. "We also see how the dog gets along with its environment and other dogs and cats to make sure they are successful and happy in their new home."

To help dogs and owners adjust to each other, the group brings in Bark Busters Home Dog Training.

"The crux of our training is to make the person the pack leader," said Bark Busters founder Nelson Neyer. "We want to get the person to get into the mind of the dog. We were deemed the most humane dog trainers by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals."

The retriever rescue group also has an agency in Taiwan, where dogs are often abused and abandoned once they achieve maturity.

"Our dog is very sweet and calm as are most rescues from Taiwan," said Denise Davis, owner of a Taiwan rescue. "People in Taiwan get purebred dogs as puppies and once they get older, they kick them out of the house."

Although most of Saturday's golden retriever bunch jostled around the event's action, Davis' dog Jackie sat calmly by her side.

Gale said, "We get dogs with tumors, hair loss, cuts and the transformations are like night and day. What some people throw away becomes complete family members for others."

Read the full article at: https://patch.com/california/sanclemente/golden-retrievers-show-some-love-for-adoption-day