This is a personal plea from MBR President Melissa Fenchel:

November 15, 2011

Saturday, November 12 was Michigan Basset Rescue's 19th Anniversary but somehow I'm in no mood to celebrate.

Why? Because we DESPERATELY need foster homes. It has gotten to the point we will have to start turning away dogs. This has never happened to us before, but without foster homes, we're unable to take in any more. That means some could die in shelters.

Currently, there are two bassets in Grand Rapids Humane Society that have NO place to go in our system. Then there's this cute heartworm positive two year old in Lapeer we need to take in and treat and spay. Those were just TODAY's Calls!! Tomorrow there will be others.

We are also being asked to take in dogs from shelters in other states due to the local rescues not responding. There is absolutely NO WAY we can help them. It's REALLY HORRIBLY SAD that bassets will DIE because rescues are full or out of funds, but that is the reality today. Wisconsin has also stopped intake.

In our defense, we have been taking bassets into MBR in RECORD NUMBERS. Up until now, we've handled it extremely well with the help of some of you. THANK YOU.

PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE, if you don't have a foster right now, think about opening your home to one or two!

Our vet bills have been averaging $4,000 a month withever increasing numbers of bassets coming our way, and VERY FEW of them are healthy. Still, we're financially still "in the game" ... if only we had foster homes for those bassets in need!!!

Please email me or submit our online fostering application if you are willing to help.

Thanks,
Melissa