Rescuing Basset Hounds From China #FlightsForFrank

Our mission is to help rescue basset hounds out of China and bring them to the United States where they can be adopted into their forever homes.

Basset hounds are illegal to own as pets in China. Because they are on a restricted breed list due to their size, any basset found can seized at any moment by the government. Sadly, this has not stopped people from backyard breeding bassets in China and selling them on the black market. And unfortunately, many of these hounds end up dumped without a home or slaughtered in the dog meat trade.

Sometimes rescues groups in the United States will sponsor the international rescue of an animal in China but it is an expensisve undertaking. It takes nearly between $2,500 to $4,000 per basset hound to bring them over with transports, flights, medical tests, CDC paperwork etc. It’s no easy task and most hounds are not lucky enough to be sponsored. 

This is where we come in. In January 2023, we saved Zoey the basset hound in partnership with Hope For China Dogs Reacue. Her illegal breeder dumped her to be slaughtered after she wouldn’t produce puppies. We were able to raise the funds and bring her to the United States where she is now living near the beach in Santa Barbara, California with a pack of basset hound sisters and so deeply loved by her humans.

In August 2023, we saved six more bassets who had been found in a Chinese slaughterhouse and raised the funds to fly them safely to the United States. Walter, Grace, Minnie Belle, Willow, Addie (now Gemma) and Geneva (now Millie Mae) are living their happily ever aftesr in their forever homes in California.  

In November 2023, we flew over Barney and Betty (now Harper), bringing our total number of bassets saved under the #FlightsForFrank mission to nine and fundraising total to over $31,000.

And we aren’t stopping there. We will continue to help other basset hounds in China who are in desperate need of escape thanks to this incredibly strong community of dog lovers. 

This mission is done in memory of Frank, a 2 year old basset who was rescued off a meat truck in China in 2021 then brought to L.A. where I adopted him. He was the happiest, most joyous dog there ever was, but sadly, in August 2022 he suddenly passed after a tragic accident. However, his spirit and legacy lives on stronger than ever. 

Thank you for your support, donations and positive thoughts. Today, I know Frank is smiling from across the rainbow bridge as we try and save as many other bassets as we can.

#FlightsForFrank 

-Ashley Parker

(Instagram @ford_explores)