Dozens of Basset Hounds were being kept in outdoor pens near Red Bluff.
Volunteers from Petaluma-based Golden Gate Basset Rescue have ventured to Red Bluff to get a closer look at the breeding operation, whose owner sent out a call for help last week. A total of 63 Basset Hounds will be heading to foster homes in Sonoma County and around the Bay Area. (There were also 29 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels rescued and sent to that breed rescue group.)
Addy Dawes of GGBR says the trip north was to get a quick medical check of the dogs and complete vaccinations. Every single one of the 63 hounds rescuers looked at had ear infections, none has been spayed or neutered and some of dogs tested positive for giardia and coccidia, two parasite-caused diseases that must be treated. Giardia and coccidia are common in a kennel environment, but if a few dogs have it, then the rest must be treated too, which adds to the expense.
The breeder has been pretty involved in the rescue of the hounds. She has told rescuers that the economy took a major toll on her business and then her husband got sick, requiring her to work full time, with little left over for the dogs. She admits the operation “got away from her her.” She is committed to making sure the dogs find great homes.
The first report is the dogs are not leash-trained and they are a little timid due to limited socialization with humans.
The hounds will start coming to Sonoma County this weekend so if you can help out in any way, let the Golden Gate Basset Rescue know.
