When animal control officer Priscilla Wolcott of Fresno Humane Animal Services received a call about a group of golden retrievers abandoned at an empty property, she couldn’t have predicted the heartwarming scene that would soon unfold. The report described two adult dogs and a litter of puppies left behind after their owners moved out. What Wolcott discovered was a testament to maternal devotion, resilience, and the quiet strength animals show even in the face of neglect.
Upon arriving at the vacant home, Wolcott was greeted by two golden retrievers—one clearly a mother and the other a younger female. Their tails wagged eagerly despite the dire conditions they had endured. According to Wolcott, the property had no food or water, and the dogs had been fending for themselves for nearly two weeks. Still, they showed no signs of aggression or fear, only hope and trust in the stranger who had come to help.
It wasn’t immediately clear where the puppies were. But when Wolcott decided to follow the mama dog, the golden retriever didn’t hesitate. She led the officer straight to an old chicken coop in the corner of the yard. There, nestled safely in a pile, were eight tiny golden retriever puppies. Despite the lack of resources, the mother had kept them well-fed and healthy. Wolcott described them as “nice and chunky,” a clear sign of the care and attention they had received from their devoted mom.
Golden retriever rescue stories like this are not uncommon, especially in areas where backyard breeding persists. Wolcott, who has encountered abandoned dogs before, noted that this was the first time she had found an entire golden retriever family—ten dogs in total—left behind. The condition of the property and the number of dogs led her to suspect that the previous owners may have been breeding the animals before abruptly leaving them behind.
What stood out most to Wolcott was how cooperative the dogs were. They seemed to understand that help had finally arrived. The adult dogs and even the puppies walked willingly into their crates, some even jumping up excitedly as if to say, “Take me with you.” It was a moment Wolcott wouldn’t soon forget.
After the rescue, the golden retriever family was transferred to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and adoption of golden retrievers. There, the dogs received medical attention, proper nutrition, and the love they had been missing. The team at Homeward Bound confirmed that the younger adult female, named Kayla, is the 9-month-old daughter of the mother dog, now named Tabatha.
According to Audrey Farrington, board chair at Homeward Bound, the puppies are now five weeks old and beginning to reveal their individual personalities. Tabatha continues to be a dedicated mother, staying close to her litter and only stepping away for brief sunlit naps. I found this detail striking—it’s a small but powerful reminder of the instinctive care animals provide, even when their own needs go unmet.
The future looks bright for this golden retriever family. All ten dogs—Tabatha, Kayla, and the eight puppies—already have adopters lined up. Soon, they’ll be settling into their forever homes, leaving behind the hardship and uncertainty they once faced. Their story is a moving example of the resilience of animals and the critical role that rescue organizations and animal control officers play in giving them a second chance.
For those inspired by this golden retriever rescue story, there are ways to help. Donations to both Fresno Humane Animal Services and Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary support ongoing rescue efforts and provide resources for animals in need. Every contribution helps ensure that more dogs like Tabatha and her puppies find safety, care, and loving homes.
