Over 40 years I have had 9 Basenjis, 7 of which have been rescues. One of my rescues was an abused male with numerous medical issues. He did not trust humans and was a biter. I foster him for 11 months and if I could afford to pay for his medical treatments BRaT would send me a 501c3 letter. If
I couldn't afford it, BRaT would pay for the treatment. After 11 months and much patience I adopted him. Another of my rescues was an emergency rescue of a three legged female named Dolly. unknown at the time, she came to me with mange. Not only did BRaT pay for her care but also for my other dogs that came down with mange. It is an all volunteer organization who are dedicated to the rescue of unwanted, abused, or dogs rescued from puppy mills. I love this unique breed and the BRaT organization for all that they do for the breed. I donate to them whenever I can.
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Over the years, I have adopted 4 Basenjis from this organization. My first was from a group of over 100 removed from a home in Kansas City. She was extremely shy and it took her almost two years to come around but she turned out to be very sweet and loving. I was contact a year later about a woman who was having problems with a male Basenji. It bit her husband and was growling at her 3 year old twins. When I first met the dog he tried to bite me. I told her I would give him a try. He is now my best friend. When my K.C. girl had to be put down due to mouth cancer I adopted Heather. Her was another shy girl who is now very loveable. My latest is Daisy. She is the smallest of the three but thinks she is the queen of the house. I donate to BRAT whenever I have a little extra money. They are a great organization.
I was a volunteer fostering Basenjis for BRAT.
I fostered 10 Basenjis for them, including one BRAT didn't bother to try to find the owner for. they found the microchip with no owner info on it, and called it quits.
It would have been so simple, I took the chip number and mfg name, called the mfg, got the name of the company that received that blank microchip, got the name of the pet store the puppy with the chip was sold to , called the pet store, got the name of the owners who purchased the puppy along with the phone number, I called and let this heartbroken family know that I had their pet.
Beautiful re-union.
BRAT would have let this missing Basenji be adopted, leaving this family to never know what had happened when their pet slipped a leash and ran off.
In 2010, I was asked to foster a dog who was to be euthanized if I did not take him. I, of course, took him. He was later deemed to be unadoptable. There were two choices: Euthanasia or keeping him as an unadoptable foster. I chose to keep him as an unadoptable foster, I did not want a permanent dog, as I loved fostering, but, there was no way i would let a dog abused in the way he must have been put to sleep because of the cruelty used to make him behave.
My contract with BRAT stated the rescue would pay for all the needs of this foster. All was fine, until my foster was diagnosed with Cushings. Rumblings began to be heard approximately 3 years after diagnosis in regards to cost.
I was extremely frightened that support would be pulled over the course of those years. i did everything I could to keep costs down, my co-ordinator received many assurances from BRAT that they would never discontinue support for this foster.
After my co-ordinator, a 14 year veteran of BRAT was suddenly fired, with no explanation, BRAT sent an email that stated my foster would no longer have any financial help from BRAT.
I objected and reminded them of the signed contract in which BRAT says they will pay to support this foster.
I went public with this, since I saw no other way to hold BRAT accountable for what they were doing. Donors need to know, and my foster NEEDS medical care, medication and good quality food.
At this point BRAT really did not have a story to tell donors, who might have asked what was was going on.
Brat then started the personal attack against me, attacking my care of my foster, my educating myself on the disease, my replying negatively to BRAT'S suggestion I put my foster back on the meds that almost killed him to save money.
The list is endless, including telling me, my own pharmacist of 4 years, thought so badly of me that he would no longer fill any prescriptions, later confirmed to be untrue.
What kind of rescue does this to a volunteer ?
A rescue who from the start, declared they would no longer help this foster at all.
A rescue needing a good story as to why they pulled support AND took a 10 year old basenji from the only home and person he has ever known.
The smear campaign instituted is now full of enough accusations that BRAT feels confident that it can explain to any questioning donor it's reasons, BRAT will once again be seen as riding to the rescue of a Basenji in need.
With the manufactured, twisted and out of context "facts" put into a complete story line, Brat has sent this story to me stating the following "My actions are so egregious, I am so negligent, and because I am still actively harming this foster the contract is null and void.
Good strategy I have to give them that.
However, the story does not end there.
The last email contained 2 options, and 3 statements to sign.
One option, BRAT will come and take this foster away, since I am clearly unable to care for and am actively engaged in harming said foster.
2nd option?
Signing three statements
A: a statement saying I no longer hold BRAT responsible for the medical expenses and food of this foster.
B: a hold harmless, since BRAT has been paranoid from the beginning, about not having one for a known biter.
C: An ADOPTION CONTRACT which of course means BRAT does not have to deal with this rescue any longer.
Ask yourselves this, if a foster is such a clear and present danger to a basenji, so much so that BRAT has stated they will take this 10 year old dog away from this horrible harmful foster
Why is BRAT offering papers for me to sign to adopt him?
Simple answer
Money
They made it clear from the beginning, they do not want to pay for this foster any longer.
As of now, I have a basenji, still with good blood panels, still healthy, who has no vet, no medication, a small supply of good food and me with no money to pay for any of the medical or physical needs of this basenji .
i HAD AN
As an ex BRAT volunteer who has done nothing but take in a Basenji due to be euthanized, this is what I get in return from BRAT
go online and look at pictures read what happens to dogs with Cushings.
Why does this foster's life have to end prematurely and badly because BRAT has found a way to get out their financial responsibilities?
Is this the treatment of a basenji or foster that donors expect of BRAT?
I for one am disgusted, I preached to everyone how great BRAT was but... I didn't know then what I have experienced now.
Just received another email stating that I either drive to give Declan up to some stranger or sign a hold harmless agreement.
It is clear BRAT cares only for signed hold harmless agreement and will actually threaten to take away a 10 year old foster to get it.
what kind of people do this??
Having had experience with BRAT, I feel I am qualified to make an accurate statement concerning the organization. Not only does BRAT provide foster care, medical care, which is often much more than a few vaccinations, and placement into qualified homes, it's members also do follow-up with every adoption, offering any needed assistance to help the dog settle into its new home. Every person working for the placement of the unique and often difficult to deal with Basenji is an experienced Basenji owner or former owner. All work is done with the help of donations and only one fund raiser each year, that being calendar sales. No person receives a salary, and many purchase supplies themselves so BRAT can use funds for the dogs. Dogs often need extensive stays for re-hab in foster homes and some also need extensive medical care, sometimes running into thousands of dollars. For example some dogs come into BRAT suffering with Fanconi, an incurable disease. It is up to the foster home to get the dog tested, and onto the accepted protocol for that disease. Dogs come with hip displasia and surgery is needed. All care is given to assure that a dog is in the best of health before placement. If a dog is difficult to place, it remains with BRAT as long as necessary. If follow-up medical care is needed, that is provided by BRAT. No matter what amount is received by BRAT in a years time, it goes right into the care of Basenjis needing homes. Often those Basenjis come in large numbers from puppymills and as expected, those dogs need extensive care and rehabilitation w.ith costs again running into thousands of dollars It is easily seen where any funds that are donated to BRAT go. Any volunteer is willing to discuss that use of funds with anyone to assure that there is never a surplus. All donations, no matter the size are welcomed.