This picture taken shows just some of the 85 dogs that were at Sharon Gold’s residence last summer. Photo from theolympian.com.
Last Wednesday the Thurston County Permitting and Land Use Office served notice to Furever Homes dog rescue founder Sharon Gold that she was in violation of the ordinance limiting residents to 3 dogs.
According to my sources she had 12 dogs on site. Last June the Olympian reported she had 85 dogs on the property.
Source also told me that Ms. Gold’s landlord will evict her from the property on April 1 as her rental agreement didn’t allow her to have dogs.
According to Joint Animal Services Director Dr. Ric Torgerson, “a compliance issue was discovered at Ms. Gold’s operation and apparently she had signed an agreement to rent under the obligation to have no animals on site.”
Furever Homes Dog Rescue’s registration with the Washington Secretary of State expires on 3/31/16. Image from Washington Secretary of State’s office.
Since Ms. Gold’s business is still registered with the state she could try to run Furever Homes Dog Rescue in another Washington county, but the Washington Secretary of State could make it more difficult for her by refusing to renew her registration with the state, which expires on March 31.
Furthermore, Ms. Gold is violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by bringing in puppies from Mexico that are less than 6 months old and not having health certificates for each dog she imports, so she could face sanctions from the US Department of Agriculture.
Officials present when Ms. Gold received the notice said she mentioned moving her rescue to Bellevue, which is in King County. They assured her they would alert officials about her history in whatever jurisdiction she tries to set up shop.
The one thing I don’t understand is why it took so long for the Thurston County Permitting and Land Use office to issue a citation to Ms. Gold after the Olympian article showed she had 85 dogs on site.
Why did it allow this situation to drag out another 8 months? Hopefully we’ll have an answer to this question soon.
Regardless, Thurston County officials should be commended for taking action against Ms. Gold and what I consider a shady dog rescue group.
In my experience writing about dog rescues in Washington, it’s the few times I know of that city, county, or state officials in Washington took enforcement action against an active dog rescue operating in violation of a law/ordinance.
I hope it becomes a trend, because Washington still has lots of shady dog rescue groups that are still operating.
They need to go after Rising Phoenix next
I find the shady dog rescue business is, unfortunately, an enormous problem. The dogs suffer. Craigslist is tool these awful rescues use to exploit their animals (and the humans involved). I would be happy to know if Craigslist could refuse to accept posts from these outfits? I am happy to see Washington finally do something.
Good idea but I doubt it. Craigslist doesn’t allow anyone to post a dog for free but I think people have to report an ad for it to be taken down. What craigslist should do it stop allowing dog ads because it’s so easy to use them for insidious purposes.
Great idea for craigslist to stop allowing dog (and cat) ads!
I am sorry, but there are FREE animals on CL all the time. They don’t allow SALES, but will allow ppl to charge a “small” re-homing fee, but they let them get away with it like every day, all day! Ugh
Regardless, Thank you for doing this article. Gold isn’t even her real last name AND she’s a FELON.
That’s not their policy and the ones that are reported usually get taken down. But yes, some do get posted.
The only way to close the bad ones is to keep informing the public when you become aware of them. You do a valuable service in getting the word out. Hopefully, somesday, all of the counties will onboard with acting at the time of discovery.
Thanks. It would be easier for counties to take action if there were state laws regulating private rescues/shelters.
Yep! was just speaking to a shelter last week and asked who they were regulated by. They told me no one. Neither are rescues.
I’m thankful for the positive intervention for the sake of all animals involved.
Only 12 dogs? Two weeks ago she swooped in and grabbed a mother dog and 8 puppies from one of her many fosters. She probably has dogs hid in every corner of Thurston County.
She said they are in foster homes.
Of course sge does! $$$$$ CA CHING!!!!
This woman is a habitual law breaker when it comes to the advocacy of animals, all you have to do is Google her name and see her horrible history. She should never ever be allowed to rescue or even own dogs for that matter! People need to stand their ground and not allow her to make any more victims out of these innocent animals! These dogs have NO voice, it’s up to us to protect them from people who use and exploit them for profit!
Exactly. The only way to stop this is to speak up.
Amen!!!!
If she is evicted where will the 12 dogs go? Is there any plan in place to help those dogs or will AC come and take them. What makes a “shady dog rescue group? I want to foster but I don’t want to get involved with anything illegal.
She says they are in foster homes. If you click on the links in the post you can see other articles I’ve written about Furever Homes and why they’re a shady rescue.
So I was wondering what makes this dog rescue/shelter shady? I have spoken with Ms. Gold before and she has not seemed the way she is portrayed her, and if so can I ask where you get your info so I can look it up? I appreciate the help because I want to adopt a dog from her, but want to be informed! Any help and information is greatly appreciated!
Which info are you talking about?
Google her name. Everyone has known about this shady b**** for yrs. Go read The Good The Bad & The Unforgivable Sharon Gold and Eldad of Hope For Paws. (Another con) Do your homework. It’s all there.
And Tyler OF COURSE she didn’t portrait the person being spoken about here. LOL! These ppl are CON ARTISTS dear and most are sociopaths.
Search the characteristics of a Sociopath! Narcissist too.
There are many reputable rescues … the bad apples are fortunately in the minority. Don’t let this article dissuade you from fostering… it’s an amazing experience. I’m on my 12th foster and love it.
Absolutely and thank you for the reminder. This should not dissuade people from fostering. It should remind them to thoroughly check out a rescue before you foster for them.
The bad apples are NOT in the monority! It is the other way around. Approximately every 1 in 5 rescues does RESCUE RIGHT. The other’s are flippers/brokers/slingers.
Get to know the difference ?
Finally! Take all the dogs from this woman! They are living off adoption fees, and not giving pets required immunizations!
Let’s not forget all the PLEDGES on the threads. Amazing!!!
Exactly.
I would suggest that each of us write a THANK YOU! WE SUPPORT YOU! e-mail to the Thurston County Permitting and Land Use. Most often, all they hear is the negative. IF they KNOW they have much support, our animals’ welfare will also be supported. I’ve sent two e-mails to the general department. If anyone knows a more specific officer to send my thanks, please let me know.
Cathy Miler
cathymiler@comcast.net
I found this link to the department: permit@co.thurston.wa.us
Am also sending this to the Planning Commission, the ones who direct /give power to this group.
Please, please send your thanks and support for what they have done in shutting down Ms. Gold’s inhumane operation!!
Thank you for the links.
BE nice if there were pictures and proof of any neglect.
Are they saying their conditions are bad, or she broke the law about how many dogs she has?
The dogs pictured look very happy and healthy.
Why don’t they help instead of being so negative? I sure hope they do not euthanize those dogs!
What will they do? What plans do they have in place to adopt out the dogs?
In my county you can have as many dogs as you want, as long as they are licensed.
Is she in the country?This sounds like the powers that be want to throw their control around. Maybe they don’t like that the dogs are not licensed.
I sure do not get it as there are groups who go to California and Mexico all the time and bring back puppies.
Also how do you know they don’t have their vacs? They don’t need them more than one series anyway, just like humans. Once they, like us have the anti bodies they don’t need vacs every year! Was just a good way for vets to make money.
This sounds very fishy to me. So you want to shut her down, ok but you make dang sure those dogs get homes and you do not murder them.
Any group that brings puppies into the US from Mexico before they are 6 months old is violating the Animal Welfare Act. Just because other groups do it doesn’t make it legal. Several people have said they never received health certificates for the dogs they got from her. Any dog brought into the US must have proof of vaccination. She wasn’t cited for neglect, she was told she has too many dogs. What happens to those dogs is up to Sharon Gold, not me. Given how many dogs she says she has adopted out that shouldn’t be a problem.
There are so many dogs in the USA that need adopting and rescuing why is she even going to Mexico to get puppies? I am just asking
There are definitely dogs in the US that need to be adopted but puppies are tougher to find because the demand for them is so high. At $450 a puppy, a litter can bring in a lot of money. Rescues like this are not about rescuing dogs, it’s about making money.
We adopted a wonderful puppy just a month ago . Never saw more than 15 dogs there, besides their own pets. I saw the entire property i couldnot see how there be more. My dog is a well adjusted happy dog. my beautiful puppy was 2 months old and was on his last series of shots, when we picked him up. We just went back for his final shot. so forever homes will give all their dogs all their shots prior their adoption , along with the adoption comes all vacs and a preset appointment to be spayed or neutered and have a micro chip installed . The day I was there they where preparing the dogs meals, which was rice and rotisserie chicken, heatlhier than what most people eat. I am firmly against animal cruelty, and i feel what you have done to a good dog rescue boarders on animal cruelty. A lot of dogs are going to be killed that could have a been placed with loving family’s.
That is great, I’m glad you’ve had a good experience. The Olympia News and Animal Control both said she had 85 dogs last June. There are many other dogs that have been moved to other houses to make the number appear smaller. And regardless, 15 is still more than the legal limit in Thurston County. If your puppy came from Mexico it was brought into the county illegally.
Some people have had great experiences. Others haven’t. You can read their stories on FB or in the comments sections on the posts I’ve written about Furever Rescue.
Those dogs don’t have to be killed. There is no reason why she can’t adopt out the remaining dogs, especially if it’s true there are only 15 left. Real animal cruelty is allowing extremely sick puppies to suffer for days the instead of taking them to a vet. Did you know that some of her puppies were so sick that animal control made her take them to a vet?
I think the evidence is clear that this rescue violated the Animal Welfare Act and USDA regulations as well as Thurston County regulations. Plenty of good rescues manage to find homes for dogs while working within the rules. There is no reason Furever Homes can’t do the same.
Jay Hurley, you are in fact very incorrect. Number one did you see the inside of the garage? Number 2 at 12 weeks old (as that’s what your dog is being stated to be, it can NOT be on its last series of vaccines. Even if it was given a vaccine starting at 6wks (which I highly doubt) it will be 14 weeks before it’s due for its 3rd shot and then another vaccine at 1 year. So you should call your vet to verify but they fed you a load of bull. Please contact your vet and ask. Shots are given 4 wks apart.
Protocols for puppy vaccinations vary widely by veterinarian. Reading from the insert from a tray of DA2PPv vaccines, manufactured by Merck: “Dosage and Administration: Inject one dose (1mL) subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The initial dose may be given at 6 weeks of age or older. Repeat at 2 to 4 week intervals until the dog is 12 weeks of age. A minimum of two doses is required for primary immunization”. My vet recommends vaccinations at 9 weeks, then 3 weeks then 4 weeks. Other vets recommend every 4 weeks. Others recommended one at 16 weeks. I’ve even spoken to vets who use 1/2 dose at 4 weeks. But point is, puppy vaccinations are not standardized and is usually at the recommendation of a particular vet.
I’m sure vaccination schedules differ depending on the vet but this person claimed his puppy finished it’s vaccinations when it was 8 weeks old. I have yet to see anything say that a puppy should have all its vaccinations by the time it’s 8 weeks old.
GOOGLE HER. Please. Just do a little homework. It’s alllllll out there. Look up Hope For Paws Sharon Gold and Eldad Hagar. That’s not even her real last name and she has a Felon. I will be calling the IRS and ask them how these Felon’s keep getting 501c3 status’.
If you get and answer let us know what they said.
Please be careful there is a Furever Homes Dog Rescue and a Forever Home Dog Rescue both in Western WA. Please do not slip up and confuse them. There is at least one reference that is incorrect in this post confusing the two names. I cannot speak from experience for Furever but Forever Home Dog Rescue is wonderful and should not be mixed up in this in any way.
Dude, I totally volunteered for that lady! she was great and all, she had had access to a building at the time though and was doing okay, although, she had waaaay too many dogs and an office with puppies that had been diagnosed with parvo, super scary! I would not have taken home any of her dogs, they were all a little rough on the edges and none of them were house broken.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
A 2 month old puppy cannot have received its entire series of vaccines. The first shots are given between 6-8 weeks old and then a month later. Rabies is given at 16 weeks.
Go point, I totally spaced on that. And it takes a month or so for the rabies vaccine to be fully functional that’s why puppies have to be a few months old before they can be brought into the US. Giving a puppy all its vaccinations before its 2 months old is not good for the dog and doesn’t guarantee it will be protected.
http://www.petmd.com/dog/puppycenter/health/evr_vaccines_and_your_puppy
You guys don’t even know half of it. I’ve known her personally and seen things. Tried to report her as well but nobody would listen. It’s amazing that it took so long for her to get into trouble.
Please contact the writer as he would love to get your information. The more that come forward and are willing to write statements the better the chances of shutting her down will be. Thank you for trying but I’m sorry your concerns weren’t handled appropriately:-(
Do you have any idea on what will happen to all the dogs or who to contact?
This was a super shady dog rescue and I’m glad it will no longer be allowed to operate but I am still concerned about the dogs.
The dogs are still with the rescue so you’d have to contact them directly.
She has my dog jada that I was fostering! I miss her dearly and I had her sign a Paper did get her back I hope I can take her back. She offered my 450 in cash and i turned it down. It’s not about the money. She is shady and filthy. She had her brother in law who is a cop find out where I lived. And came to to my work and was gonna call the cops in me.
She was super shady!!! I was looking for jade puppies and hated the idea she still has them. She is an aweful person for what she did to you and jade and her puppies
Though there certainly are some shady rescues and it is good that they are being exposed, please also direct people to a reputable rescue and/or shelter in your area. Exposing a bad rescue without also directing people to good rescues can dissuade people from adopting a dog at all, and instead buy from backyard breeders, which are also awful.
I have posted a list of good rescue groups several months ago. There are tons of good ones so it’s difficult to know which ones to recommend.
It got worse..
http://www.chronline.com/crime/dogs-die-in-fire-at-animal-rescue-facility-near-tumwater/article_ff2568b2-d4a8-11e6-835d-876a6b1582b3.html
Thanks. I wrote about it on Friday. Horrendous. https://www.seattledogspot.com/dog-adoption-rescue/fire-kills-18-dogs-furever-homes-dog-rescue-near-tumwater/