Happy Holidays

 to all AGA Golden Retrievers,

fosters, adopters, donors, and volunteers.

We cannot do what we do without each of you!

A Message from our President

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every one of you who has supported Adopt A Golden Atlanta throughout the year. Whether you’ve adopted, donated, volunteered, fostered, or shared our mission with others, thank you. You’ve made a life-changing difference for so many dogs.

From January through today, 175 Golden Retrievers have found safety through our rescue, bringing our total to over 5,000 dogs saved since 2003. Each of those lives represents a story of hope and transformation that you helped write.

We’ve also faced many medical challenges; our medical expenses this year reached over $232,000...and we still have a month to go. But thanks to your generosity, we were able to give every dog the care they needed. In 2025, we celebrated around 175 adoptions, each one marking a joyful new beginning for a deserving dog and a loving family.

As we enter this holiday season, my wish is simple: that our community continues to grow and shine with compassion. Together, we are giving Golden Retrievers the greatest gift of all, a second chance and a forever home.

With your continued support, we look forward to saving even more Golden lives in 2026.

Take Care with Tinsel and Other

Holiday Decorations

The sights and smells of holiday decor may contribute to the magical feeling of the season. But they also create real dangers for your pet. Here are a few common risks to watch out for:

• Tinsel is pretty, but if your pet ingests it, it can require surgery or even be deadly.
• Lights and other electrical decorations may tempt tenacious chewers. But they’ll give a painful shock and, if swallowed, can cause internal issues.
• Potpourri can cause digestive upset if eaten, as it often contains toxic essential oils.
• Christmas trees should be secured so that they don’t accidentally topple over. It’s also important to keep your dog away from the water pan, especially if you’ve mixed in additives. And keep in mind that some Christmas trees are sprayed with preservatives.

• Mistletoe and holly are toxic to pets (as are many plants). So, if you put these festive plants out, be sure to hang them out of reach.
• Candles pose a fire risk if you’ve got an enthusiastic tail-wagger.
• Essential oils, including citrus, cinnamon, and peppermint oils, can cause respiratory issues or, at the very least, overwhelm your pet’s sensitive nose (something to consider if you like to use a diffuser).
• Gift wrap and packaging may be fun to shred, but if ingested, these materials may cause digestive blockages.
• Ornaments may look like toys to your pet. But if eaten, they can cut your pup’s mouth or cause serious gastrointestinal problems. Broken ornaments are not only a bummer for the family, but could also leave a mess of sharp pieces that can cut your pet’s paws.

Holiday Cookies for Dogs

These cookies are made using brown rice flour, which is easy on a pup's digestion. Peanut butter and banana make this a tasty treat. Beet powder, which is optional in this recipe, will give them a holiday hue.

PREP TIME: 20 minutes

COOK TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

SERVINGS: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/3 cups 170g brown rice flour, plus extra
• 1/3 cup 90g plain natural peanut butter (sugar and salt-free)
• 1 egg
• 1 banana (ripe)
• 3 tablespoons organic honey
• 1/4 cup 25g beet powder

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine all of the ingredients except the beet powder in a large bowl. Stir together until well-incorporated. Add the beet powder and knead together with your hands. The dough should not be sticky. If the dough is sticky add extra rice flour in a little at a time and knead together with hands.
• Turn the dough out onto a large sheet of parchment paper and top with a second sheet. Roll the dough between the sheets to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to stamp shapes from the dough. Transfer the shapes to the prepared pan. When the pan is full of cut-outs, chill them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• Bake the cookies for 10 minutes for 2-inch shapes, and 12-15 for larger cookie shapes. Let cool completely before treating your canine friend.

NOTES

• Beet powder may be omitted from this recipe and replaced with brown rice flour. The cookies will be the color of a peanut butter cookie.
• These cookies are intended to be an occasional treat and should not be used as a meal replacement.

Meet Latte

To help Latte thrive, a home with prior dog experience, someone who has the time and patience for training (independently or with a trainer), and an active but stable lifestyle. He’ll do best with a work-from-home or stay-at-home family who won’t leave him alone for long, and a big fenced yard would make him happiest.

Latte could live with a calm, well-socialized dog or enjoy being an only dog as long as he gets plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and structured downtime.

With the right match, Latte promises to be a loyal, fun-loving, and protective companion who’ll fill your home with joy and tail wags. Are you ready for a lifetime of adventures with this amazing boy?

Loyal, loving, and full of life, Latte is ready for his perfect match. 

👉 Interested in giving Latte his forever home? Learn more and apply by visiting his BIO

Goldens are FURever Gala

Friday, May 1, 2026

Join us for an elegant evening of cocktails, bites, entertainment, and auction proceeds that directly support our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Golden Retrievers in need.

Become a Sponsor: Make a Big Impact

Sponsorships are now open, with multiple tiers available, each offering visibility benefits like logo placement, program recognition, and VIP tickets. Your support plays a vital role in sustaining the heart of our rescue work.

How You Can Help

• Promote the event - Share on your social media, in your workplace, or among friends and colleagues
• Identify sponsors - If you work for, own, or know a company that aligns with our cause, point them to our sponsorship details
• Donate a silent auction item - Gift cards, event tickets, services, and unique experiences are all welcome and help us raise more for the Goldens
• Reach out - Questions? Want to learn more about sponsorship levels or how to get involved? Just reply or contact us at info@adoptagoldenatlanta.com

Thank you for helping make this gala a night Goldens and their people will treasure forever! 💛

Simple Acts, Big Impact:

How You Can Help

🐾 Visit Our Amazon Wish List – Send much-needed supplies directly to our dogs!

🐾 Visit Our Chewy Wish List – Help us stock up on food, toys, and essentials our Goldens need most!

🐾 Donate to help in our rescue mission – Help us care for our rescued Dogs and others facing medical challenges.

🐾 Volunteer Your Time – Join our amazing team and make a difference in Golden’s journey.

🐾 Honor a Beloved Pet – Add their name and keep their spirit shining on our Memory Wall.

🐾 Attend an AGA Event – Meet fellow dog lovers and support our mission through fun community gatherings.

🐾 Use iGive When You Shop Online – Choose AGA as your charity and turn everyday purchases into donations.

🐾 Walk with Wooftrax – Whether with your pup or a virtual one, every step earns funds for our Goldens!

🐾 Shop with Kroger – Connect your Kroger account to AGA and support us with every grocery run.

🐾 Spread the Word – Follow us on social media and share our posts to help more Goldens find loving homes.

🐾 Check for Company Match Programs – Double your impact by seeing if your employer offers donation matching.

🐾 Make a Tribute Donation – Honor a special person or pet, and we’ll send a thoughtful card or certificate.

Every action you take helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Goldens in need. Visit www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com to learn more and get involved!

If you would like to contribute gently used items, please email marketing@adoptagoldenatlanta.com to coordinate details

with the subject line: AGA Items to Donate.

A Holiday Warning for Pet Owners

As we approach the festive season, many stores are stocking Christmas-themed dog treats. While they may look fun and festive, many of these so-called “treats”, especially rawhide products, can pose serious health risks to your furry friends.

Here’s why rawhide chews are dangerous:

Toxic Chemicals: Rawhide is often treated with sodium sulfide to remove hair and fat, followed by hydrogen peroxide to give it a white appearance and remove odors. These processes can leave traces of harmful substances like arsenic, mercury, chromium, and formaldehyde.

Choking Hazards: When wet, rawhide becomes slippery, making it difficult to retrieve if a dog begins to choke.

Digestive Blockages: Rawhide chews can expand in the stomach or intestines, leading to serious blockages that may require emergency veterinary surgery.

We recommend opting for safer alternatives, such as natural, single-ingredient chews like bully sticks or antlers. Always prioritize your dog’s safety when choosing treats!

Wishing you and your golden a happy and healthy holiday season!

Thank You for Supporting Giving Tuesday!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated on Giving Tuesday! 🐾💛

Your generosity is making a world of difference for Goldens in need.

We’re almost there, and we need your help to cross the finish line! Every dollar counts and goes directly toward rescuing, caring for, and finding loving homes for these incredible dogs. 🐶✨

Please consider donating today and help us reach our goal! Together, we can make tails wag and hearts shine. ❤️🐾

Christmas and Hanukkah are exciting times for all the family, and that includes your dog, too! Most owners want their four-legged friend to be involved in all the festivities, but it's important to know which foods are safe for them to eat.

Read our guide to find out what can be included in your dog's Christmas dinner and what should be avoided.

Other Ways to Donate:

Check: Adopt a Golden Atlanta | P.O. Box 420256, Atlanta, GA 30342-9998

Looking for a reliable organization to help care for your Golden? Look no further!

Visit AGA's preferred vets and boarding facilities

through the links below.



Dog Boarding: Your dog's home away from home. That’s why Pet Lodge Pet Resort in Alpharetta is Metro Atlanta’s top choice for dog boarding. Choose from various accommodation types and fun-filled activities for your pets.



Dog Daycare: Exciting indoor & outdoor play! Over 20,000 sq. feet of outdoor turf, obstacles, toys, and pools for your dog to play. You have to see Pet Lodge Pet Resort in Alpharetta with your own eyes.

Our 24-hour pet hospital is located in Sandy Springs, just off Roswell Road in Abernathy, across from the Sandy Springs Tennis Center.

We serve much of Georgia and the Atlanta metro area, including Roswell, Woodstock, Marietta, Smyrna, Tucker, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Alpharetta.

Your Security Matters

Adopt A Golden Atlanta takes your privacy and security seriously. We never solicit donations via cryptocurrency or collect sensitive data like Social Security numbers. All donations should be made through secure, trusted platforms like PayPal or Venmo.

If something doesn’t seem right or a link looks suspicious, please contact us directly before giving. We’re committed to keeping your support, and our community, safe.

Suspicious solicitations can be reported to INFO@ADOPTAGOLDEN.COM.

Read more here