• We too are registered with BRAT.


  • Actually, I don't know if I "belong" to BRAT? I have never paid any dues, I don't know if my name is still on anybody's list…but I used to be involved in what was called Region 6? I don't know if there is still a Region 6?....but I try to make myself available if a dog needs to be pulled out of shelter in our area, transport, or foster for very short amount of time if a local person needs to get rid of their B NOW!


  • I am!
    I have done 2 runs one for the Mo puppymill Lady and the 5 pups from Indy to Dayton.
    And one for a pretty girl named Stella (forget where she was going) From Lafayette to Indy.
    I enjoy it.
    I have cats and a small home, so my fostering ability is limited.
    I did help BRAT out by adopting:p


  • Brat does need help…I am surprised that you who signed up weren't contacted.
    There is no fees involved...no dues or the like...
    But they are working to revamp the communication between folks who have too much to do and those who want to help.
    So, if you want to, recontact them.
    I can give you the site if you wish.
    We have so many dogs this year...lots of puppies even!


  • I just signed up to be involved in BRAT. I can't wait to get started helping out.


  • What area are you in?
    Do you have b's??


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    What area are you in?
    Do you have b's??

    I'm in Knoxville, TN and I have a 1.5 year old basenji named Manning.


  • There are lots of folks working to help b's in the southern part of the country.
    I am sure more hands will make this work easier.
    Do you have a photo of you b?
    Where did you get him?


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    There are lots of folks working to help b's in the southern part of the country.
    I am sure more hands will make this work easier.
    Do you have a photo of you b?
    Where did you get him?

    Here is a picture of Manning, his adopted sister Rascal and his nemesis Freya(the cat) last year. Manning came from Tad Brooks at Meisterhaus. He actually has a half brother, myran, in Sweden who is on the forum.

    attachment_p_19579_0_picture2.jpg


  • I can't believe you have a CAT in this photo.
    I had cats before b's and there is NO way they would have gone to have their photos taken…
    Well, if we used duct tape maybe...NOPE, not even then.
    Great photos.
    Nice looking animal family you have there.


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    I can't believe you have a CAT in this photo.
    I had cats before b's and there is NO way they would have gone to have their photos taken…
    Well, if we used duct tape maybe...NOPE, not even then.
    Great photos.
    Nice looking animal family you have there.

    Haha…they only look well behaved! What you can't see is the blue leash tying Rascal to the photography table and Manning hitting the kitty in the head with his paw. After what seemed like a million takes later...the perfect pic! Thanks anyway though. 🙂


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    Brat does need help…I am surprised that you who signed up weren't contacted.
    There is no fees involved...no dues or the like...
    But they are working to revamp the communication between folks who have too much to do and those who want to help.
    So, if you want to, recontact them.
    I can give you the site if you wish.
    We have so many dogs this year...lots of puppies even!

    I signed in May and got an email but was told there are very few B's in this area. We did apply to adopt one here in Columbus but she was concerned with the fact we had cats. She said she would contact me to get me started in fostering but she also said she was really busy so we are still waiting. That was last week though.


  • I have a question, is there a Brat chat list? I know there is the bratchat emails, but a forum like this would be wonderful. something general and then broken up into areas (location, fostering, home inspections…)
    Maybe on Yahoo that would be open to members and moderated somewhat. That way everyone that would want to help would have access to information.
    I get most of my information from the Brat coordinator that helped me adopt Squiggy.
    The brat chat, which I just started getting did have some information about a dog run that was asking for volunteers for this weekend.
    But it would be nice to have a set up like this.


  • While, don't get me wrong, BRAT does a great service… But as "Dash" posted about the experience with BRAT, I hear all to often. And I hear that more often then not....


  • @dash:

    I signed in May and got an email but was told there are very few B's in this area. We did apply to adopt one here in Columbus but she was concerned with the fact we had cats. She said she would contact me to get me started in fostering but she also said she was really busy so we are still waiting. That was last week though.

    It will probably be more difficult with you having cats, I know…I have 4 right now:)
    But once and awhile one that likes cats (in the friendly way) does come along.
    There is one (Roska) on the list now that does fine with cats since he was found folloowing (not chasing) a cat home. There are a few more on there that are OK with cats. You may look again and apply for a different one. There are seperate contacts for most of them, so if you see a new one you like you need to apply for that one also.

    I have heard that some of the "adoption agents" are not as good as others (like everything in life). I really lucked out with mine. So keep trying, and Roskas is a cutie.


  • There is a BRAT chat list, but its general, not broken down into groups of interest, ie, fostering, transport, etc.
    But this is a good suggestion.


  • I actually sent my information to join BRAT twice, the first time I never really heard anything back but kept getting the Brat chat e-mails and then I resent my information and someone contacted me to let me know they were reviewing my information and they would let me know how I could help in my area. I have never heard back and it has been about 6 months. I wish I could help more, I offered to transport but nothing ever comes this way, I have also offered to do home inspections, pick up dogs that may be in shelters locally or what ever else may be needed. Again, I never heard anything back on what I need to do to be qualified to help.


  • I filled out applications with BRAT, Colorado Basenji Rescue, and Southern CA Basenji Rescue (Medfly Brigade). I just got canned emails from the BRAT coordinator–oh--and he sent me one that was meant for someone else--which I tried to redirect to the right person. Both Colorado and SoCal called me to do a phone interview--and both were very receptive. I definitely got the impression from BRAT that since I was not willing to crate dogs all day while I was at work that my application may have been put at the bottom--even though I explained that I had a secure bedroom just for my dogs and a dog door to a secure backyard with an X pen and had a basenji for 16 years who did fine in that environment. Fortunately, Karen and Chuck in SoCal were absolutely thrilled with the home I was able to offer Tyler and Zoey who had been waiting two years for a home.


  • My personal experience with BRAT is not very good. As a volunteer, I am only contacted when they need someone to drive to the CA/NV border which is a good 3 hour drive each way for me, once they wanted me to do the drive with chains required and heavy storms expected. I don't know if it is because the coordinator who lives in a city only 20 minutes from me does not know where my town is located geographically or they just figure I am last on the list and hope I will say yes. I have also been contacted by many people who have had bad experiences with BRAT from an adoption standpoint so there are problems on both sides of their process.

    For now, I am putting my time and effort towards volunteering at my local shelter to help the dogs in my community.


  • I am sorry some of you have had bad Brat experienses.
    Myself..I work very hard to share the info I have about dogs in my area, basenji activities my local breed club has, really, anything I can share with folks who want b's.
    Brat is made up of folks who are unpaid and do this as a hobby.
    Some folks are more committed than others, or have more time.
    I am sorry your contact with Brat was less than perfect.

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