The demand for French bulldogs is at an all-time high after having been named the most popular dog in America. However, their abuse is on the rise as well. The breed is statistically the most frequently stolen dog due to their typically high prices, and irresponsible breeding leads many bulldogs to be born with lifelong health issues.
To combat growing abuse in America’s bulldog adoption market, a Chicago nonprofit rescue is dedicated to saving dogs from mistreatment.
Chicago French Bulldog Rescue brings dogs facing mistreatment in puppy mills and shelters into the care of volunteers across Chicagoland. Many volunteers, such as Wendy Elstien, are previous pet owners who wanted to do more to protect vulnerable dogs.
“I got involved with the rescue because I was the owner of a French Bulldog, and I fell in love with the breed,” she said. “I started hearing about more and more French Bulldogs being surrendered, and I was really interested in helping a smaller grassroots organization raise money to help more animals.”
Ms. Elstien emphasized how urgent the situation was with the breed in particular.
“French bulldogs have become so popular and bred just for money that being able to help the dogs that haven’t been cared for and taken care of means a lot,” she said.
Alongside helping the dogs, Ms. Elstien has also seen the good that the dogs can do for humans.
“I think saving dogs is also saving people,” she explained. “So every time you rescue a dog, you don’t always realize it, but the impact that pets have on people is just an absolutely incredible thing. It brings so much love into people’s lives.”
Ms. Elstien is currently fostering a puppy named Gilda. After Ms. Elstien lost her older dog, fostering Gilda helped her to see the positive human impact pets can have.
“She’s brought me a lot of joy, emotional stability, and security that I really needed,” she said.
Gilda’s joyful spirit, even despite her past troubles, has inspired Ms. Elstien the most in her experience with the rescue.
“She is one of the few success stories with extreme injuries that actually survived,” she explained. “Gilda came into the rescue with multiple fractures and near death, but she’s a great success story.”
Ms. Elstien urges anyone interested in volunteering to get involved.
“We are always looking for volunteers. Not only volunteers to foster, but volunteers that can transport, that can help us raise money through volunteering at our events, helping to solicit for sponsorships and donations, even just attending our events to support the cause.” The rescue’s next event is on May 10 at Rizzo’s Bar and Inn in Wrigleyville. Information about volunteering, the event and the dogs is available on their website.
