Wild pack of basenjis in rural Florida

[MacPack]

Many, many years ago, early 80s, we were walking our several basenjis along the street near our home. A car stopped and a man in his 30's got out and was amazed to see so many (5) basenjis. He had spent the last 10 years living in Africa, can't remember where, and said that where he was, small packs of basenjis roamed, wild, but would occasionally just "move in" to a village. Some dogs would stay with the humans but after some time, most of the pack would move on. I imagine the "moving-in" was for scavenging, and some may have decided they liked scraps!

This is purely third-hand, told to me quite unsolicited, well over 25 years ago, Snorky 998's post triggered the memory!

[sharronhurlbut]

There are many village dogs who are a bit larger than b's and have an upright alto not curledtail…they are in many areas, and are not basenjis...
So, we might be talking of another type of dog here.

[Kananga]

I have a friend that was just over in Africa for a few months. It was funny because she saw Kananga the other week and mentioned she had seen a bunch of them where she was in Africa, yet they were obviously much more skinny compared to Kananga (who is ideal in weight, just not skin and bones).

Must be quite interesting to see them in the wild. They are stealthy enough as our pets, cannot imagine the mischief that they get into in the wild.

[sharronhurlbut]

Pam Hamilton has been visiting the Hillsborough Animal Control Services
(HCAS) as often as possible. These dogs cannot be released to rescue until
legal issues are resolved. It may take up to two months. We appreciate all
offers of help.

Many of you have sent messages to Pam volunteering to help with the
socialization of this group at HCAS. She is working with the staff on
procedures so volunteers can start visiting the dogs. Animal Services
recognizes the need for these dogs to have extra handling and socializing
that is beyond the capacity of the available staff.

Due to the unexpected volume of responses and her frequent trips to HCAS,
Pam has been unable to respond to all who want to help. She will get back
with you as soon as she can. Those who have not contacted Pam and wish to
volunteer should send her an email with the subject "Hillsborough Basenji
Socialization" to help her to organize responses. Her address is
flbasenji@earthlink.net .

Thank you for your concern and interest in these basenjis.

Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
debbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net

[thunderbird8588]

just bumping this thread for cahootz

[sharronhurlbut]

Here is the latest on the Florida basenjis from Pam in Florida!

SPCA: Confiscated basenjis held at the SPCA are still restricted to
certain personnel. They will keep a mom and pups in an office with an
approved individual, so they are getting some socialization.

HCAS: Confiscated basenjis have been moved to the investigation
kennel, so they are no longer open to the public. They are doing
reasonably well, but some have dropped a bit of weight. The barking
environment is tough on some basenjis. An investigation walker
(volunteer) has been getting them used to her presence. While I do
check them all, I have worked with several a bit more closely over the
past couple of weeks. I have been amazed at how quickly some are
turning into "domesticated" basenjis. We are ramping up the
socialization process now. Hopefully, we can get them to be more
content in their current quarters so that they will eat a bit more. A big
thanks to all who volunteered to help with the socialization project which
started today!

If you haven't received a response to your offer to help with
socialization, please resend your offer. If you would like to help but
have not yet replied to my request for more information, please do so
at your earliest convenience.

Thanks for your continued support,
Pam Hamilton
FL District Coordinator
Advisory Director
Basenji Rescue and Transport

[MacPack]

Pam has been working with them, and 6 of us went Saturday for volunteer orientation and worked with the dogs a bit. Though very shy, they are not aggressive and a few of them are really "coming out" and come up to the gate and take food from us. Others still cower as far away as they can get. The shelter has a very small fenced grassy "park" where the dogs in the Investigation building get taken by volunteer walkers for a few minutes out of their cages. That is where the basenji pups play and chase like "normal" basenjis. Pam is doing a great job! These dogs will take a lot of patience and TLC, but I think they have "pet potential".

[sharronhurlbut]

Oh, Yea!! thanks for the update.
I having been thinking of these dogs ever sense they have been written up.

[MacPack]

The court date is the 11th, fingers crossed the county assumes ownership of these guys. Animal Control knows these basenjis are way more than they can handle so are happy to work with BRAT. They are being very generous in allowing us to work with the dogs as they are "Investigation" dogs, usually only their long term volunteers and employees work with dogs in legal disputes. Again, it shows their sensitivity to the special needs of these feral basenjis.

[NerdyDogOwner]

I hope all the dogs from this place are spayed and neutered, it is a health concern due the the inbreeding…and to prevent their genes into the Basenji pool.

[Basenjimamma]

NerdyDogOwner, regardless of these dogs futures, they most certainly( I sure hope) will be spayed/neuterd before they leave these shelter locations, or once they are moved into foster homes( not adoptive homes)

[AJs Human]

Any time a shelter gets an animal it is almost inevitable it will be altered before placement…unless it is too young, in which case a contract is made that the animal will be altered.

Regarding their entry into the gene pool: I'm not sure exactly how "inbred" they are. They all look fairly healthy and don't exhibit signs of generational inbreeding. However, their heritage cannot be fully verified. Since this is the case, I don't think they are eligible for entry into the stud book.

Ms. Tanza or Ms. Khanis can answer this better than I can, but from what I'm seeing, only native stock imported from Africa or those animals whose parentage can be verified are allowed entry into the stud book.

[sharronhurlbut]

Animal shelter getting calls to adopt basenjis
February 2, 2010

< http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/02/animal-services-seeking-custody-basenjis/

[MacPack]

That reporter called and interviewed my husband on the phone, within 30 minutes that article appeared on-line! Don had called the reporter the day the first article appeared and they talked a bit then. Guess he kept our phone number. He got a bit of what Don told him right, such is the media! Don kept telling him to call Pam for more information. As far as I know, none are actually out in foster care. The moms and tiny pups are in isolation, but still there at Animal Control.

[sharronhurlbut]

Thank you for the correction.

[MacPack]

I didn't mean any correction, people probably have been calling to adopt! We let Pam do all the direct communication with the shelter. The article had originally said that some of the basenjis were already placed in foster care, not that I know of.

[agilebasenji]

MacPack-
I thought the article was nice, but, uhm, I gotta say, Zest will bring me my slippers if she knows where they are and if there's is a cookie involved. So, well, there's that.

[MacPack]

Nicky might bring my shoes, but there will be a chunk gone when she gets here! Don read it and said, well, the guy quoted a little of what he said correctly.
We're going back Saturday morning, wish I was retired and could spend every morning out there!

[MacPack]

Sorry, guess I was not supposed to have written anything about the shelter dogs, no one ever told any of us not to share any info. Sorry. The very last thing anyone would want is to compromise this case in any way.

[sharronhurlbut]

MacPack, I appreciate the inforamtion, the correct informtion. Who said you shouldn't share it with us?