This is a crosspost from BRAT, this is a lot of B's that need help:
This is an email to request your help. I have been made aware that there are 24 adult or young basenjis and numerous puppies available from a South Dakota puppy mill. I have been corresponding with the owner and he does not yet have a buyer, however I know in the past SW Missouri Auction has done total buy outs in these situations and then resold the dogs at auctions to other mills. He thinks that I am interested in purchasing them to breed. Although I did not tell him that I also have not corrected his misperception.
I and many from BRAT have purchased basenjis from the auctions and from individual breeders who are going out of business, or getting out of basenjis. As a matter of principle, BRAT has a policy to avoid purchases where we are only buying the over-stock of males or older basenjis, to make room for more breeding. This puppy mill is selling out of basenjis. He does not represent himself as a mill and refers to these basenjis as his "pets". He has other breeds for sale also, and he says he is moving.
It is not possible for BRAT to take this many basenjis at one time to foster in our homes and few BRAT members have our own kennels. I am asking you as fellow basenji owners for help and support in order to rescue this group. If basenji owners who have kennel space or room in their homes would be willing and able to foster one or more in different locations, I propose I negotiate the rescue and we move these basenjis to homes where they can be family pets and not an agricultural commodity.
The adults will likely be difficult and require some rehabilitation, however there are 6 pups from 2007 and others from this year, some not yet whelped, who can be placed with ease. None of the adults are older than eight years. BRAT will be 100% responsible for these foster basenjis in paying their costs (as BRAT always does) and we will also be 100% responsible for placing them. A BRAT volunteer will be able to evaluate the basenjis before the purchase is completed. This rescue will likely occur in the next week to ten days.
We have a common love of our breed, and together we will be able to remove many Basenjis from a horrible life in a mill.
I have a record of success in rescuing groups, though none this big. If this rescue is to be done, we would need foster homes or kennel space in addition to our BRAT foster homes. I can't fill every available BRAT foster home if it would result in BRAT having to turn away other basenjis needing our help this spring.
In responding, please type your state and what you can help with (transport, fostering, coordination, home visits for adopters, adoption) in the subject line. You may receive a response from someone other than me, but we will respond to you. Joining BRAT is optional: http://www.basenjirescue.org/joinbrat.htm
Thank you for any assistance you are able to provide to this rescue effort! Permission granted to share with all basenji lists.
A Yahoo list has been set up to expediate communication.
Group name: resqsdbasenjis
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resqsdbasenjis
Keep us updated & I will be sure to send a donation this weekend! Also, if any head to the Florida area let me know!
