Because of the rise in popularity, there is a large increase for the need of "Adoptive Bulldog Families". The Bulldog is ranked among the 25 most popular breeds according to the American Kennel Club.

If you're thinking of adding a Bulldog to your family I stronly urge to to think of rescue. These are dogs that need good homes.

To find out more about rescue go to the "links" page. Then go to the "BCA" link.




RESCUE POEM

I was born in the Summer a few years ago.
Quite why I was born, I'll never know.
Some folks who had my mother, decided to breed.
No reason I know of, except for greed;
I know I was hungry, I know I was cold;
They sold me quite early, at five weeks old.

My number one owners seemed friendly at first,
And life was quite good till my bubble burst;
They started to argue, their marriage split up;
And then the Ad read: "For Sale... young pup".

Some folks arrived, the next ones in line.
They treated me kind and life was just fine.
But master dropped dead, and she couldn't cope.
So she sold me again (I'll soon give up hope).

I now had a new home way up in the sky;
We went up the lift fourteen floors high!
The new folks were kind but they left me all day;
I was bursting to wee and had nowhere to play.
It was boredom, I think, when I chewed up the chair;
They agreed I should go as it just wasn't fair.

The next home was good and I thought "this is it"!
They started to show and I won....a small bit.
But then somebody said I was thin in the bone.
And in went the Ad: "For Sale...to good home."

The next lot were dreadful, they wanted a guard;
But I didn't know how, although I tried hard.
One night they got robbed and I didn't bark;
Tied up in that shed, and alone in the dark.

For five months I lay in the cold and the dark;
With only a bed of rough wooden bark;
A small dish of water all slimy and green;
The state I was in, well, it had to be seen!
I longed for warmth, and an end to the pain;
But some new people came and I went off again.

Well now I'm with Rescue and this home is good;
There are walks in the country and lots of good food;
There are kisses and cuddles to greet me each day;
But I dread the time when they will send me away.

I will try to be good, I won't chew on the chest;
I will try to be quiet, I'll do my very best;
I want to stay with you, a heart on all fours;
Please....let me stay, I want to be yours.



Here's a pamphlet put out by the Bulldog Club of Americas Education Committee:

BULLDOG CLUB OF AMERICA
RESCUE NETWORK
Hundreds of Bulldogs in pitiful condition are
abandoned, lost, turned over to animal shelters or to veterinarians to be destroyed every year.
Because buyers are so intrigued by their many charms, Bulldogs are ranked among the top 25 most popular breeds in the United States. Many pet owners later discover, however, that Bulldogs require a great deal of special care due to some of the breeds unusual characteristics. Neglect, mistreatment and genetic abnormalities
caused by careless, indiscriminate breeding practices are among the most common reasons so many Bulldogs need to be rescued. The good news is many of these dogs are rescued and recycled into loving, new homes every year by approximately 100 members of the Bulldog Club of America's Rescue Network.
These BCA rescuers are active in 40 states and three provinces of Canada. Many Bulldogs are also rescued and placed by private individuals, all-breed rescue groups and humane societies. A typical rescue dog is middle-aged, probably has several
medical problems that can be treated successfully and has never been given heartworm preventatives. Yet they are still lovable, forgiving and eager to try again in a new family setting!
Most used Bulldogs come from homes or kennels where for a variety of reasons the owners are no longer able to keep them. The most common of these are deaths in the family, divorces, forced relocation to places that do not permit dogs, unemployment and, perhaps, problems involving infants.
As a rule, rescue dogs are from indiscriminate breeders and puppy farms that sell to pet shops. Very few are strays, but most have been neglected with respect to routine medical care, annual immunizations and improper socialization and training. The Rescue Network involves:
Acquisition and Rescue network volunteers must respond quickly to recover dogs that require rescuing. They must obtain appropriate legal documents and rights to the dog to be rescued, have the ability to properly transport the dog and demonstrate good public relations skills. Fostering and Volunteers must provide food and medical care to restore the dogs health while new homes are being sought. Cooperating veterinarians often offer needed treatment at discounted rates. A prospective family must complete an application form, be interviewed and visited by rescue workers to determine whether the families circumstances are suited to the dog available for adoption. An adoption contract must be signed and a donation to the BCA's rescue fund is required. The contract specifies the responsibilities of the adopters and requires them to return the dog to the Rescue Network any time circumstances prevent the adopter from keeping the rescued dog.
Detailed information on the BCA Rescue Network is included on the Bulldog Club of America's internet
website, http://thebca.org. Telephone numbers of rescue volunteers are provided there. Easy access to network workers also makes them likely candidates for the counseling of Bulldog owners and adopters who may have problems or questions about their dogs. Better education about responsible Bulldog ownership is ultimately the best way to reduce the number dogsrequiring rescue.
A common problem with the Bulldog is
heatstroke. Excessive panting and difficulty in
breathing are symptoms of overheating. The dog
must be cooled off immediately using a hose or a tub of cool water and ice. Bulldogs cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures,
either inside or outside under the hot sun.
You can help by joining the BCA Rescue Network
core of volunteers. Or you can donate money to the BCA's rescue efforts and, of course, adopt a Bulldog that needs a good home. Contact the BCA's Rescue Network chairman by calling 248-945-8009.
The Bulldog Club of America
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Oct 2000