A Short History of Basset Hound
Welfare:
In 1978 a rescue
scheme to cover Basset Hounds in need of help, was inaugurated within the auspices of the Basset Hound Club.
It established a network of local representatives and a
national co-ordinator. These people advised owners who
were experiencing difficulties with their hounds. If the
problems proved insurmountable, they sought an
alternative home for the hound from sympathetic folk
known to the representatives.
The Kennel Club recognised the scheme, known as Basset
Hound Rescue and included it in their Rescue Directory. Today, they continue to publish details of rescue,
welfare and charities in the Directory.
The scheme was so successful that in 1998 the owner of two
rescued hounds left a legacy for the sole purpose of the
welfare and/or rescue of the less fortunate of the breed.
This led to the establishment of an independent
registered charity known as "Basset Hound Welfare"
with the stated aim within its Trust Deed "to
prevent maltreatment of and cruelty to Basset Hounds and
to encourage responsible ownership of Basset Hounds
throughout Great Britain".
The charity operates solely through a team of volunteers; trustees and a network of local representatives
geographically situated
throughout the country.
Since its inception, the charity has been responsible for
the successful placement of many hundreds of rescued
Basset Hounds, at present the charity homes some 200 each
year. By giving practical advice and guidance to owners,
Basset Hound Welfare has also helped many more hounds
remain in their own homes.
Through these activities, Basset Hound Welfare has earned
the respect of all the re-homing organisations with which
it has worked.