Houston/Harris County Basset Rescue
General Information
What And Who We Are
Houston/Harris County Basset Rescue is a team of volunteers and supporters dedicated to saving and relocating Basset Hounds. We work with individuals, animal shelters and veterinarians to rescue those Bassets who find themselves in trouble or find new homes for those that need one. We do not do this for money however there is an adoption fee, all of which is passed on to those who provide medical service and supplies to the rescued Bassets.

We do not breed Bassets nor are we part of or affiliated with any breeders group or club. We exist solely for the rescue and care of Bassets in need of a new home. At this time we have rescued and placed well over 100 Bassets all over the state of Texas and beyond. Although our primary focus is on the Houston/Harris county area we often get calls from all over the state and we are glad to help when other rescue groups are not available or are short on resources. We accept all Bassets regardless of their medical condition, restricting only those dogs that have a proven history of severe aggression.

Currently we own 5 Bassets of our own, three of which are rescued Bassets.
Information About Bassets
Basset Hounds make great pets. They are loving to a fault and enjoy (demand !) being loved in return. Their laid back personality, short hair and love of kids make them a near perfect house dog and in the house is the correct place for them. Bassets range in size from about 35 lbs for a smaller dog to over 65 lbs for a really big one. They are, of course, short legged, long eared and have a coarse, deep bark. They are often always tri-colored, with various patterns of black, brown and white but red and white is also faily common. Keeping with their breeding as hunting hounds, they are often on the hunt for something, anything. A Bird or squirrel in the back yard will occupy them for hours on end. They also assume that everyone is on earth to protect them, so they will chase that same squirrel a great distance, putting themselves in harms way, without thinking. A good fenced yard is their best protection. Kept from harms way and given proper care Bassets will live 10-15 years or more. By nature Bassets require very little in the way of grooming. The short coat will not require trimming, however they do shed year round, so a good brushing is required every week or two. Many Bassets seem to enjoy bathing, so that can go quite easy...unless yours is the exception !. In that case their short, muscular build will make a bath quite an experience, leaving you as wet as they are in most cases. Because their ears are long, they spend a lot of time dragging along the ground or half submerged in the water or food bowl. Keeping the ears clean will be your job and must be part of the routine. Because the ears stay moist the ear canals will also require periodic attention. Last, but not least are the nails. Basset nails must certainly rate at least 6 on the rockwell scale of hardness. A good nail trimmer will become part of your grooming box. Even with that all said, Bassets are really a low maintenance dog. Certainly there is more time for playing than grooming. Most Bassets love being outside during the day, provided the weather allows. At night and in hot or wet weather they should be inside, always.
About Foster Homes
Sometimes we don't have enough Bassets to go around, but more often it is homes we are short on. While our Bassets are waiting for a new home or undergoing medical treatment they need a place to stay. If you can help house a dog for a short time please let us know. I promise they will pay for their stay with love and affection. I will warn you right up front though, these guys are quickly taken to the heart, so be prepared to make memories that will last a long, long time.

All foster homes receive full support from our Basset Rescue Program. You will be supplied with all of the food, health care and medication your foster Basset will need. If you are unable to, we will pick up the dog for all medical care and deliver him/her back when finished. All you need to do is enjoy all of the fun and love each dog has to offer.

All safety requirements outlined in the adoption contract apply in full to dogs being fostered.
How To Adopt A Basset
First of all, fill out the On-Line Application Form or contact us by e-mail or phone at 281 463-8347 and we will provide you with an application form. In either case there are some basic requirements.
  • 1. You must provide a safe, adequate place for the dog to play. That includes a securely fenced yard. 
  • 2. The dog must be allowed inside of your home. Although the dog may like being outside a lot during the day, he/she must be allowed in during bad weather and at night.
  • 3. Your adopted Basset will be current on all vaccinations and will be in good health, unless you are notified otherwise. After adoption you must provide the dog adequate medical care, including periodic vaccinations, worming and any other treatments prescribed by your vet.
  • 4. You will be asked to keep Basset Rescue informed as to the address of the dog. Changes of address should be provided to Basset Rescue.
  • 5. If you must surrender the ownership of your dog, Basset Rescue must be informed. We will help you place your dog in a new home if you so require.
  • 6. No dog will be placed in a home until Basset Rescue approves of the placement.
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    I Have A Basset I Can't Keep
    Anyone who has ever owned a Basset will understand that giving one up is no easy task. Because life is not always predictable people sometimes find themselves in just such a situation. The first and foremost concern is to find the dog a suitable home. Sometimes friends or relatives that have known the dog will step up and become the new owners. Sometimes that does not happen. If you can't place the dog in a safe loving home yourself the please contact us. Our adoption requirements help insure that your pet is placed in a new, loving home. Keep in mind that although we work with area animal shelters, dropping your dog there is no guarantee that they will ever find a home. Contact us first. If you are out of our service area will put you in contact with someone in your area that can help. A word of caution is due here. Placing the "free Basset" ad in the local paper or on the community bulletin board often leads to a dog being placed in a poor home or worse, into medical programs that will harm the dog. Give us a call instead. We will keep you informed as to your dogs disposition right up to its adoption. If you find a stray or harmed Basset contact us. We will provide the required medical care and place the dog in our adoption program as soon as he/she is ready. We do not allow a Basset to be euthanized unless it is medically necessary and so far that has never happened.

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