Why Rescues are Needed

Wyoming Basset Hound Rescue and Adoption

Why is Rescue Needed?

This is why!!!! ...... Sadly, 6 to 8 million animals are given up by their owners every year. These animals end up in animal shelters or find their way into breed rescue groups such as Wyoming Basset Rescue. Of these 6 to 8 million animals, only approximately 1/2 of them will ever find a new home. It is estimated that 3 to 4 million pets are euthanized every year! Of these animals, 25% are purebreds.

Why so many millions? Some are victims of tragic family circumstances, others are victims of irresponsible owners, backyard breeders and puppy mills.

Wyoming Basset Rescue was started many years ago by some very wonderful, caring people who just loved basset hounds and hated to see them end up in shelters in our state.

Here are some of our recent rescue facts: In 2006 we placed on 8 dogs. In 2007 it was 17 and in 2008 we placed 27 bassets and 5 have been placed so far this year. We get mostly males; of the 57 dogs we have placed since January 15, 2006 to date, 38 have been males and 19 females. The bassets are taken in for a multitude of reasons; found wondering the countryside, owners die and extended family don't want them, picked up as strays at shelters and never claimed, relinquished due to moving, relinquished due to new baby, relinquished due to too many dogs in the house, relinquished due to no fenced yard and they keep getting out, relinquished because the family doesn't have time for them and sadly relinquished because they're just not wanted anymore. Ages we've taken in have ranged from as young as 9-10 months old to as old as 13yr old. Nearly all require vaccinations and half have needed to be altered.

..... and Wyoming Basset Rescue is only one of two active basset rescues in the state!

Please be responsible pet owners and help to stop the need for rescue organizations and animal shelters throughout the U.S.
- If you are not sure that you really want a pet - wait! Getting a pet is a responsibility and a commitment for many years to come. Be sure you are up for the responsibility before you get a pet.
- If you think you want to breed your pet - don't! There are millions of kittens and puppies already in shelters, because of owners that allowed their own animals to reproduce.
- If you want to buy that cute puppy or kitten at the pet store - don't! Most pet stores buy them from puppy and kitten mills, often horrid places where the breeding animals are kept in small cages their entire "useful" lives, their only purpose is to reproduce, they not loved as a dog or cat should be. Buying from pet stores only further supports this terrible practice.

Here is a heartwrenching tale of what the lives of millions of animals are like. Please be responsible with your animals and don't add to this tragic story!

HOW COULD YOU? - By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day. Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?" They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet. Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY. Now that the tears are rolling down your face, pass it on! Send to everyone around the world! This IS the reality of dogs given up to shelters!