RESCUING TAKES PATIENCE, LOVE
By Stormy Ballenger
(This story and photograph appeared in the Central Point Sun in August 2005.)

Three-year-old English bulldog, Augie, is hoping for a second chance. Last month, Augie’s elderly owners surrendered her to animal control because they could no longer care for her. Since Augie is dominant, likes to chase, and has never been socialized, it seemed euthanasia was the only option.

Fortunately, Cascade Bulldog Rescue/Rehome adopted her, and volunteers like Janis O?Neil from Central Point are working to give her the opportunity to find a great home.

The northwest-based rescue group, part of the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network, was formed to help purebred bulldogs get another chance in a loving home. Many bulldogs are surrendered to the rescue program because their owners find that as the puppies grow they become too much to handle.

"You need to know the breed," says O’Neil. "They are more prone to skin allergies and eye problems." Most bulldogs surrendered to the program have health or temperament difficulties that need to be addressed before going to a new home. Volunteer foster families sometimes work for months improving physical and emotional health, behavioral issues, and social skills.

Even with all the time spent on rehabilitation, potential adopters should be ready to handle problems that are unique to rescued bulldogs. "People need to be willing to deal with special needs," says O'Neil, who has been showing and rescuing bulldogs since 1992. Every potential adopter is carefully screened and a home inspection is done to make sure that each dog is placed in a home that is best suited to its needs. Before adoption, every rescued bulldog is spayed or neutered.

"Adoption can cost anywhere from $150 to $450," says O’Neil. However, if you are passionate about bulldogs, that price is just a fraction of what a purebred normally costs. "Bulldogs usually go for around $1500, sometimes as much as $2500."

At present, there are only three bulldogs, including Augie, in the Oregon rescue program, which is great news to O’Neil. "Networking helps a lot of dogs find homes."

Cascade Rescue recently received two bulldogs from the Bend area who were abused and malnourished.

"Some kids were throwing [the male] in a river on a chain and then hauling him out time after time," explained Cascade Rescue’s regional coordinator Cindy Mozingo, "and the other was left in a barn and fed only once a day." Thanks to the quick action of volunteer Sky Kellogg, these two dogs are now in the safe, rehabilitating hands of Cascade Bulldog Rescue/Rehome. "Our goal is to find responsible, stable, loving new homes for them."

For more information about the bulldog rescue program, visit www.cascadebulldogrescue.org, www.rescuebulldogs.org or call 664-6061.