A $15,000 challenge grant to support French Bulldogs in need has been awarded to the Chicago French Bulldog Rescue (CFBR). The privately funded dollar-for-dollar matching grant will add $30,000 to support the activities of the CFBR, which is one of the few rescues that tries to tackle the puppy mill problem head-on.
Donate Now!
The deadline for the match is April 1st.
This grant comes at a wonderful time," says Mary Scheffke, Director and President of CFBR. "A perfect storm of the recession, coupled with the increase in popularity of the breed, means that many more Frenchies are being bred and therefore many more are coming into our rescue. Having additional funding will allow us to rescue more Frenchies than ever before, and we will not have to leave a Frenchie who needs us behind. As our generous donor also believes, it is imperative that we at least try to help versus turning a blind eye."
CFBR's methodology is to pay the bare minimum at auctions for Frenchies that are so sick and neglected that to leave them in the system would be devastating. Constant monitoring of puppy mill auctions and their practices provides as much insurance as possible that the rescue money isn't propagating the cycle.
How You Can Help
The challenge grant must be met in six months, therefore we need your help right away. All donations will be matched, regardless of dollar amount. Your $5 donation will be turned into $10, $50 into $100 and $500 into $1000. You can double your donation today. As the holidays draw near, consider making a donation to CFBR in someone's honor or in their memory. We are also planning some wonderful events, fundraisers and online auctions to help us meet our goal. Please check back for more information or join our mailing list and we'll keep you updated. Thank you.
Donor Statement
"Puppy mills continue to be a source for poor quality and health-challenged French Bulldogs, with horrendous living conditions for those kept in captivity. Generally, rescues will shy away from participating in puppy mill auctions on the basis that it takes away funds from other Frenchies in need and that it provides funds back into the cycle. My belief is that attacking the root cause of the puppy mill cycle may at some point diminish the numbers of puppy mills in operation, in other words, it is better to have tried to do something rather than sit back and let it perpetuate. Having watched Chicago French Bulldog Rescue over the past years, I am convinced that they share the same view and that they are willing to step up to the plate to fill this void in French Bulldog rescue. To that end, I am committing a dollar for dollar match, for funds raised by CFBR, up to $15,000.00 to allow CFBR to participate in the 2012 Spring auctions at which puppy mills are being dispersed."
–Anonymous $15,000 Donor
