The Lincoln County News staffer, Kim Fletcher, journeyed to Connecticut May 11 to volunteer for the 9th Annual New England French Bulldog Social, a fundraising event for the French Bulldog Rescue Network.
At the social, more than 75 French Bulldogs with their owners from throughout New England converged to attend the event held at the Baywood Kennels and Canine School of the Performing Arts, in Willington, Conn.
Every four-legged participant received a goodie bag, and with registration, had lunch, beverages, sweets and invitations to enter the costume contest, and march in the Frenchie Parade.
Baywood Kennels is known for its dog agility program and the huge open field, adjacent to the obedience training building, was perfect to let the Frenchies off-lead to zoom around and play.
Many French Bulldog owners enjoy other breeds as well, so the odd Old English Bulldog, pug, Pembroke corgi, and dachshund had their chance to fly free of restraint as well.
Thousands of dollars in donated raffle-ticket auction items were available, along with French Bulldog merchandise, and every item sold benefited the network.
The Frenchie Parade consisted of those dogs that had been surrendered and successfully adopted, and before each paraded to applause, the story of how the dog was surrendered and the journey to find a home was read by way of introduction.
Currently, FBRN has over 700 volunteers, in the U.S. and internationally, and averages forever home placement of more than 200 surrendered pure-bred French Bulldogs annually.
With a foster-home brigade of hundreds, and veterinarian bills ranging $25,000-$35,000 per month for the care and treatment of the network’s fosters, the French Bulldog Rescue Network is one of the most successful breed-only rescue 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations worldwide.
Additionally, network volunteers work toward the organization’s mission to stop puppy-milling of the breed. Many dogs surrendered to rescue network are puppy mill breeders that finally have a chance to have a life outside of a cage and inside a loving home with a family.
For more information on French Bulldog Rescue Network, or to learn how to volunteer or apply to adopt an available French Bulldog, visit http://www.frenchbulldogrescue.org.
