VICTORY! WE WON! THE PUPPIES ARE STAYING IN THE U.S. - AND WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITOUT YOU!

We of Chicago French Bulldog Rescue are ecstatic to announce that the 15 French bulldog puppies who were rescued from Chicago’s O’Hare airport in August are safe and staying in the United States.  Chicago French Bulldog Rescue has been granted full custody and ownership of the puppies who will be quarantined at the wonderful PAWS Chicago State of the Art facility behind us for the next few weeks in compliance with CDC requirements and under the supervision of the IL Department of Agriculture and State Veterinarian.  After the quarantine period, the dogs will be placed into foster homes where they will receive further care, treatment and training before they are available for adoption.  Importantly, to secure full custody and ownership of these dogs it was necessary for Chicago French Bulldog rescue to assume all of the costs and liabilities associated with the puppies’ past and future care.  To make a donation to these costs, please visit our website at: 

https://www.frenchieporvous.org/donations/ 

But we need to say loud and clear; while these 15 puppies are safe and healthy, we remember and mourn the loss of the single puppy that died likely only knowing a life of confinement and suffering.  The discovery of this unfortunate situation is just the tip of the iceberg.  The myriad of problems associated with the international breeding and transport of dogs are profound and NEED to be solved.  The Jordan 15 may be safe today, but I guarantee you that there are another 15 puppies in equal danger on a plane somewhere right now only to be followed by thousands more.   These circumstances have revealed profound systemic problems that must be addressed.  It is unconscionable that dogs can be denied entry into the country and then stranded awaiting return without food, supervision or care when there are no facilities available to house them.  It is wrong that puppy mills in the Ukraine continue to ship un and under-vaccinated dogs to the United States by the thousands.  It is inhumane that these Ukrainian breeders put these young puppies through weeks of travel - through Jordan and then onto the US because it is cheaper.   It is abhorrent that the current regulations only state that improperly documented dogs must be sent back to from whence they came without assessing their health and fitness to travel.  It is broken that airlines have not instituted broader measures to ensure appropriate documentation and minimal safety requirements to ensure the safe passage and the health of these dogs and other animals. 

Chicago French Bulldog Rescue is a small rescue of a little over 100 volunteers –– regular people without political relevance or a big fundraising base.  But we lack in clout we more than make up for in heart and resolve.  But this was a group effort -  perhaps the most shining example in such a dark time of how a community can come together in love and bring about a profound, collective victory.  Saving these puppies lives was only achieved through acts both small and large of literally over one hundred thousand people.  We may have reached an agreement but it was only possible as would stood upon the shoulders of Congressman Mike Quigley and his staff, who fought tirelessly and with sincere passion for these dogs and who is committed to effecting real change.  Upon the shoulders of Senator Tammy Duckworth and her staff, who shared our anger and resolve and advocated on our behalf to push the parties involved to do what was right.  Upon the shoulder of  PAWS Chicago who stood by our little rescue like a protective sibling and now joins us in an enduring partnership to hold our leaders accountable and advocate for sensible laws and regulations that protect our animals.  Upon the shoulders of the over 120,000 people from across this country and around the world who signed our petition and made phone calls – who prayed and held these 15 fragile souls in their hearts.  You - each one of you gave our fight wings and it was the balance of every ounce that effort that allowed us to save these lives.  We would also like to extend sincere thanks and gratitude to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, ASPCA, Louise Linton, Social Compassion in Legislation, and Tinsley Mortimer.