Basenji Rescue and Transport: that Rescue part will be taken to a new level July 11

BRAT has had a history of helping with large scale rescues including the Reed-Gate auction in 2007, the purchase of all 28 basenjis from the South Dakota puppy mill in 2008, and multiple smaller scale auctions through many years of the recession. Unfortunately that work never ends. BRAT learned of a going-out-of-business puppy mill auction in Wheaton, MO, July 11 where 25 basenjis, nine of them puppies born in December 2014, will be auctioned off. There are three basenjis who are 2.5 years old and eight that are 3 to 3.5 years old. The remaining five are 5, 6 and 8 years old. The majority are females; three are reported to be pregnant.

BRAT does not participate in such auctions unless the kennel is going out of business. Rescuing from a situation such as this keeps the basenjis from going to another breeding facility. The rescued basenjis are typically undersocialized and not house trained, and the adult dogs require a longer-than-average period of fostering before they are adoptable. Sometimes their feet have never touched grass and most of the times the dogs have never been walked on a leash.

BRAT sent out a request to our volunteers for help at the auction and with fostering the dogs that we are able to purchase.  As usual, the response from volunteers was overwhelming.  Eight to 10 volunteers will attend the auction with BRAT President Liz Newton on July 11. The plan is to purchase as many of the females as possible to remove them from the breeding stock. We will also rescue the male puppies and any other of the five males we can handle. Adult males are typically not treated very nicely in puppy mills and are sometimes very reactive. We can't bring any basenjis home that we cannot lift into the crates in our vehicles.

When rescuing from an auction it is extremely difficult to plan too far ahead; until the bidding is done, you never know if you'll leave with any or all, but fosters must be available for all on the front end. Once dogs are purchased at an auction like this, they have to be immediately transported. Because of this, Liz has lined up numerous fosters in the Midwest who will be able to take the dogs by Sunday.  Fosters were selected based on people who are clustered so pairs or groups can be transported in the same direction.  

Liz went shopping for collars and leashes for all available basenjis and bought out all of the appropriately sized crates at Walmart spending nearly $900. (Anything unused will be returned for a refund.)

BRAT is always up to the challenge of providing our Basenjis with the best possible care.  We are grateful for those that have asked if they can donate towards this rescue. There will be many expenses as these dogs transition from such a large pack to becoming healthy, well-adjusted pets with families.  We are grateful for any contributions made to help these basenjis find their way into loving, forever homes. 
Donations may be made via our website by clicking on http://basenjirescue.org/donations.  We accept donations through PayPal, credit cards transactions through PayPal and also by check.  Any amounts received greater than needs of the Missouri auction group will be applied to help other rescued Basenjis.  Your donations are tax-deductible. 

We are determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be tax exempt pursuant to IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) (Federal Identification No. 75-2804588). Consult your accountant for further information regarding the tax deductibility of donations to BRAT. View BRAT's 990 tax forms, IRS determination letter, and Report of Independent CPAs (period ended September 30, 2013).