Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama
Has Saved 25 Breeding Dogs

Dear Friends,

On February 9, 2012, I received an URGENT email regarding Boston terriers that were in desperate need of rescuing. A breeder in Missouri was shutting down, and all dogs were being auctioned off or killed.

BTRA immediately got a plan together to try to rescue as many as we possibly could. A van was rented, crates, blankets, towels, food and water bowls, and other medical supplies were loaded as we did not know the condition of these dogs.

I asked a seasoned rescurer to go with me, and she immediately said yes. I left on February 10, 2012, to make this 1,200 mile round trip to get these Bostons. It was a very long and cold trip, but I arrived in Missouri at midnight in the hopes of bringing as many as was financially possible home to Alabama and safety.

This was my first experience at a “dog auction.” I was exposed to the other side of rescue—the breeding industry. I could not be identified as a “rescurer” so I had to blend in with the breeders who were at this auction. Now I do want to say that I know several breeders who do a very good and responsible job with the dogs that they breed. I have seen firsthand that their dogs are well taken care of and are not over bred for “money purposes.”

Missouri has passed a new law effective February 2, 2012, that imposes strict requirements on the breeding industry. As a result of this, some breeders are “dumping” their dogs. Breeders from all across the Midwest were also there, and this meant that these other breeders would buy these dogs and continue to breed them until they were of no further use or dead.

I wanted desperately to get as many as was financially possible out of the breeding business. I was not able to rescue all fifty (50) Bostons, as I was outbid; but I did manage to get twenty-five (25) precious babies out. I made them all a promise that they would never have any more puppies and would learn to know what it was like to be a companion dog—secure, safe, fed properly, and most of all, loved in a new forever home.

BTRA was able to rescue twenty-five (25) that includes six (6) puppies that are six weeks old. All are back in Alabama and safe. There are twenty-two (22) females and three (3) males. Twenty three are Bostons, and two are French bulldogs.

The six (6) puppies are in terrible trouble as they all have parvo. BTRA has all of these precious babies at the vet now. All have begun the terrible struggle and “fight” for their lives. This is a very costly treatment but without it they all will die a horrible and painful death. They will have to stay at the vet for at least two (2) weeks as BTRA cannot risk exposing all of our other dogs to this deadly disease. All of the others will need to be tested also for parvo since they all have been exposed. These dogs were never vaccinated against this virus by the breeder. He did not spend any of the money he made from them having puppy after puppy for their basis needs to live.

As you can see from the pictures, these sweet ones have had to live in a cage all of their lives. They have not been allowed to run and play or be on the ground. Most of their paws are extremely calloused, some to the point of deformity. Ten (10) are heartworm positive and must be treated,or they will die a very hard death. If we can get enough money, we have found a supplier who can get us the needed heartworm-treatment medication. The twenty-two females must be spayed, and the three (3) males must be neutered. All must have their vaccinations.

Having made this commitment to these deserving Bostons and Frenchies, Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama is in EXTREME FINANCIAL NEED. This rescue effort is a very expensive undertaking although I know that it was the right thing to do. No dog deserves to be considered and treated as a “commodity,” never loved, never being allowed to run and play, never getting the human contact and nurturing that they need and deserve. Their only purposes in life prior to rescue: HAVE PUPPIES AND THEN HAVE MORE PUPPIES.

We desperately need your financial help to pay the veterinary costs, which include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, heartworm treatment, de-worming, additional crates and supplies and cost of the parvo treatment. Both of the Frenchies have torn paw pads that must be surgically repaired. Some of the female Bostons are pregnant and will probably deliver within the next forty-five (45) days. Two of the Boston females have “cherry” eyes that will have to be surgically repaired. All are having to be boarded for about two weeks since we could not risk exposing our present dogs to any illnesses that they may have.

It is estimated that BTRA will need at least $8,000.00 for their veterinary costs. This is a tremendous amount of money, but as you all know, it is very expensive to take on the responsibility for the welfare of twenty-five dogs. I personally paid for the trip to Missouri to rescue these babies. I personally paid for the “bidding price” of each one.

PLEASE look deep in your heart and evaluate your financial situation at the present time. All donations are tax deductible. BTRA will be very grateful for all donations, large or small, and every penny will be used for the expenses that have and will be incurred in saving these deserving—breeder free—Bostons and Frenchies. BTRA has no paid staff and no overhead costs. ALL donations go directly to the dogs’ needs.

Thank you ALL in advance for everything that you continue to do for our rescue efforts. We cannot do anything without each and every one of you. Please see below how you can make your tax deductible donation.

Sincerely,
Jo-Ellyn G. Vincent, President
Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama

P.S. I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of our friends and benefactors. You are a wonderful and caring group. I promise to do my part in caring and rehabilitating each and every one of these precious souls. Of course, they will need time to mend and learn that this world is not such a desolate place to live. They will learn to trust and love humans again. Please pray that the puppies will survive the parvo treatment. They will never have to go through what their parents have gone through in the breeding business. I look in the eyes of all the dogs that BTRA was able to rescue and see hope. I do not want to ever let any of them down. You will not be sorry in financially helping. This rescue mission has again renewed my spirit, and in helping, your heart will also be glad.