Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama

The basset hounds we rescue come from a number of places and situations including shelters, owner surrenders, or unclaimed strays.  Every incoming basset is taken to one of our veterinarians who offer discounts for their services to BHRA.  While at the vet, the basset receives a full check-up, vaccinations, and heartworm test. Individual hounds are treated for heartworm if they are positive, as well as other medical challenges that may arise during their examination.  After complete medical evaluation and treatment, each dog is placed in a loving foster home until a “forever home” can be found.  The financial survival of BHRA is due solely to adoption fees (which, typically, do not cover vetting costs) and donations from the public. All funds received go strictly to the care and vetting of these precious hounds; no administrative fees are claimed. 

Since 2000, BHRA has taken in and placed close to 1600 hounds in loving homes. During calendar year 2014, BHRA rescued 39 needy basset hounds.  The total cost of their medical care, including vet bills, micro-chipping, and spaying or neutering was $22,000.00.  Our fundraising efforts provided an income of $18,000.00 which did not fully cover the above cost of ensuring healthy bassets who are ready for their forever homes.

SADIE’S STORY: Sadie came to BHRA in November, 2014. At that time, she was a bucket of bones, weighing only 28 pounds, had mucous secretions from her eyes and nose and a yeast infection covering her from head to paws. Since November, Sadie was diagnosed with cancer and mange. The good news is after two surgeries within a week and a half and over 50 staples and sutures later, there are no signs the cancer has spread…and she now weighs 38.5 pounds. Now we are treating her mange. Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. In most dogs, these mites never cause problems. However, in certain situations, such as an underdeveloped or impaired immune system, intense stress, or malnutrition, the mites can reproduce rapidly, causing symptoms in sensitive dogs that range from mild irritation and hair loss on a small patch of skin to severe and widespread inflammation. Sadie’s mange is clustered on her legs, chin, and under her shoulders. Scratching has become her exercise routine.

Sadie will undergo a series of dips and injections over 8 – 10 weeks to control and, hopefully, eliminate her new and nasty challenge to get better. As you can imagine, her vet costs will increase again. The cost of the dips and injections, with our vet discount, will be in the area of $500.00. Add this to her heartworm treatment which hasn’t even begun; an additional $500.00.  The total cost of her care will be close to $1,500.00; only $250.00 of which will be recovered from her adoption fee. 

Our fundraising goal for this year is $25,000.00.  Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama would appreciate opening your heart and help Sadie and our other rescues live the life they deserve…any donation amount is so very greatly appreciated!