The FBDCA supports French bulldog rescue, and many of its members work with the Frenchie rescue groups. However the club does not have its own rescue committee or organization. Instead the FBDCA Charitable Fund, a separate organization that is affiliated with the club, gives rescue grants to the organizations actively involved in this vital service. For information on how to apply for such a grant, click here.
At present we are in contact with two national Frenchie rescue organizations, whose links are below. Please visit them.
Click here for the French Bulldog Rescue Network
(An IRS 501c3 organization – donations are tax deductible.)
Click here for the French Bulldog Village
(An IRS 501c3 organization – donations are tax deductible.)
There is also a regional Frenchie rescue group in the Chicago area.
Click here for Chicago French Bulldog Rescue
(An IRS 501c3 organization – donations are tax deductible.)
Below is an article from the French Bulldog Rescue Network reporting on 2010 activities. As other rescues respond their reports will be published.
The French Bulldog Rescue Network: 2010 in Review
Ruth Chiger, President
Veterinary Medicine
This past year, after many wonderful discounts from vets all over the U.S. and Canada the French Bulldog Rescue Network (FBRN) paid $283,126.65 in veterinary expenses for our dogs. That’s right…almost $300,000 to give these poor dogs the type of medical care they so desperately needed. We are proud that we continue to take in severe medical cases and render care to the most needy of dogs. We have done spinal surgeries, ear ablations, taken care of allergy issues, eye issues including removal, irritable bowel problems, heartworms, mange, prolapsed rectums and of course spays, neuters and so much more.
However, there are some medical cases we must turn down. One example was an owner whose dog had fatal cancer. He wanted to turn the dog over for us to provide palliative chemotherapy. As sad as we were for the dog, it would have been irresponsible to spend our donors’ money that way. So, yes, some (not many) hard decisions have to be made. As daunting as some of the medical problems are that we do take, our placement rate is, over time, over 95 per cent.
Sources of Funds
We apply for and receive a few small grants every year, but the large majority of our money comes from donations by the public. Some come in $5 donations and some give $20 a month, but so many people believe in our mission and what we do to help these dogs, that they support us in any way they possibly can. We do raffles and eBay sales of merchandise donated to us. We run eBay sales every month. Our volunteers work at expos, dog events, etc. in order to raise both awareness and monies. In 2010, volunteers had booths at some 20 events. Please note that this takes a lot of volunteer time and energy in both planning and execution, our volunteers have that level of devotion to our Frenchies.
Frenchies in 2010
The AKC notes that:
- The French bulldog has made the biggest leap in the past 10 years, from 71st to 21st.
So, it is no surprise that 2010 was yet another record setting year for the FBRN. We took in 402 dogs and placed 357. The popularity of our breed continues to grow as evidenced in the record setting number of rescues. Here’s how the numbers break down:
- 279 were owner surrenders
- 26 came from shelters
- 27 were given to FBRN by Good Samaritans
- 13 were relinquished by breeders
- 34 came from puppy mills
- 6 were born in FBRN
- 2 came from a pet store
- 15 were from other rescues
The top five states for surrenders were FL with 43, TX with 40, CA with 36, NY with 33 and MO with 20.
Just to get a feel for the sheer numbers we handle, here are the stats:
- 2001 – We took in 13 dogs
- 2002 – We took in 40 dogs
- 2003 – We took in 66 dogs
- 2004 – We took in 78 dogs
- 2005 – We took in 96 dogs
- 2006 – We took in 103 dogs
- 2007 – We took in 154 dogs
- 2008 – We took in 289 dogs
- 2009 – We took in 342 dogs
- 2010 – We took in 402 dogs
The most common reasons for surrenders are the owner’s personal situation (divorce, moving, lack of time/interest), the dog’s behavior (training, housebreaking), dog’s medical needs (spinal issues, allergies, tumors, etc), financial (loss of job) and breeder surrenders.
With the popularity of our breed continuing to increase, the need for rescue will also increase. We will continue to do our best to meet those needs to the best of our ability.
Our Foster Process
All our dogs are in foster care in loving volunteers’ homes learning to be cherished family pets. Applicants apply directly for the dogs via our website (www.frenchbulldogrescue.org). Please look at our application there.
We have a Review Crew who look over all incoming applications and send the ones that best fit the needs of each dog to the Foster Family for their review. The Foster Family then calls the most suitable applicants. Before any dog is adopted FBRN does a vet reference check and a personal home visit before selecting a forever home. We have been told our process is more difficult than adopting a child. We are not ashamed of that. We are proud of the care and diligence we take in making a forever home selection for each of our dogs.
Our Volunteers
We have almost 700 volunteers across the country. Our success is directly attributable to our volunteers. They are all amazing individuals who drive hundreds of miles to rescue a dog, sit for hours in vets’ offices, rush to ERs in the middle of the night, give medicine every hour around the clock, and express bladders. This group does fundraising. Members of this group give training seminars to help other members (and the public) with difficult dogs. Most also have families and work full time jobs. They are an unsung miracle and I take this opportunity to thank every one of them.
