Just Around the Corner

Please plan to be part of the largest gathering of Basset Hounds in Canada at the 2012 BHRO Basset Bustle Extravaganza.  This year we celebrate our tenth anniversary as a Registered Charity and 25 years of Basset Rescue in Ontario!

We are expecting hundreds of basset hounds and their people from across Canada and the U.S. to descend upon the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA off-leash dog park on May 26, to help us all celebrate our dedication and love of bassets and show our support for Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario.

Do the Bustle!

The event will kick-off at the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA off-lead dog park (www.hamiltonspca.com)  All of the bassets will bustle into the park in one very long (and very short!) Basset-line, led by the 2012 official AmBassetor, and officially kick-off this not-to-be-missed day-long party.

From there you can let your basset off-leash to mix and mingle in a safe and protected environment and enjoy the day-long party with the bassets.

There will be lots of media to record the largest gathering of bassets in Canada, and you definitely won't want to miss the opening Basset Bustle kick-off extravaganza.

Support an Important Cause

In 25 years of Basset Rescue, over 1,000 basset hounds have had wonderful new beginnings in their lives. This hasn't been possible without the kindness and generosity of so many people! Once again, we are asking for all of our members and friends to collect pledges for their participation in the bustle to help raise money for BHRO at this, our largest fundraiser of the year.  As you know, every penny raised goes directly to helping those bassets who need us.  Every pledge, no matter what amount, goes a long, long way in helping these deserving dogs.  Pledge forms will be included in our next edition of The Howler, mailed to all members.  Not a member?  Click here: www.bassetrescue.ca/membership.html

You may also get your pledge forms online right now!

Download Pledge Form here!

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You can also donate online through Canada Helps and set up your very own Giving Page where friends and family can donate directly to you.  Personal Online Giving Pages can feature your own photos and you can set your own personal fund raising challenge.

You can also use PayPal to donate on Canada Helps. Details online at Canadahelps.org

Here is a link to the Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario Page on Canada Helps where you can pledge online, and learn about creating your own page from here: Canada Helps Online Giving

Party with the Bassets all Weekend

We have set aside a block of rooms at the pet and people friendly Mohawk Residence and Conference Centre, just a few short minutes from the park.  The very modest room rates, which include breakfast, also feature oversize 2 bedroom suites and lots of green space.

We will be hosting a big pre-bustle pizza party just across the parking lot at Mohawk College, on the Friday night, for all of our supporters, admirers, guests and their dogs.  Please note: this is a change in venue this year.  Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.  Please join us from 6:30-9:30 pm.  We will have a quirky little contest or two with great prizes and some very yummy pizza from a local Pizzeria.

This year we will also continue to feature pre-registration at the Pizza Party to minimize the line-ups at Saturday's Bustle.

Hotel Details

Hotel details are as follows:

Mohawk Residence & Conference Centre
245 Fennell Avenue West
Hamilton, ON L9C 7V7
Tel: (905) 385-3200 - 1-877-225-8664
mohawk@stayrcc.com
www.stayrcc.com/hamilton

Affordable & spacious accommodations!  Suite configurations consist of two private bedrooms, bathroom and a kitchenette.  All guest suites feature air conditioning, cable television, and free local calls.  Our special discounted group rate is $79.95 (based on 1 - 2 adults per suite).

**Please note:  Mohawk has implemented a per night pet fee to cover additional cleaning costs.  This fee is normally $20 but has been discounted to $10 per night for BHRO.

For individual reservations please call 1-877-225-8664 (open 24 hours) and ask to be transferred to Hamilton, or call direct at 905-385-3200.  Please quote the block number #17374 (Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario).

The block of suites will be held until the morning of Wednesday April 25, 2012.  Limited Space Available at the above rate so please book as soon as possible!

Other Events You Can Look Forward to

• 2012 Basset Bustle shirts - Celebrating 25 Years of Basset Rescue in Ontario!
• A not-to-be-missed raffle--our most awesome one yet!
• 2013 calendar photo shoots featuring the very talented Mariah Hilton from Bunch We Lunch With Photography
• The ever popular nail clipping booth and new this year, micro-chipping!
• Agility demonstrations back by popular demand, and the opportunity for your basset to give it a try
• A day-long BBQ in support of the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
• Basset contests including our famous costume contest (we will give you plenty of notice on all of the exciting games and contests so you can get your basset ready!)
• Prizes, prizes, prizes and the return of our awesome Prize Wheel
• Hundreds of basset hounds to delight you all day
• And much, much more—keep watching for lots of exciting updates

Pledge Prizes!

Start collecting your pledges today, either online at Canada Helps or in person.  Please support this very important cause.  Sadly, this will be another record year for the Basset Hounds that have come into rescue, most of them requiring costly vet care.  We can not help these dogs without your support.

As a giant thank you we have some great pledge prizes you should not miss.

Total pledges over $110: If you collect $110 of pledges or more you will be rewarded with 10 Raffle Tickets.  That means your are eligible to win any of our wonderful line up of raffle prizes!

PLUS the person who collects the highest amount of pledges will win the grand prize of a photo session with Mariah, the official 2013 Calendar photographer, of Bunch We Lunch With Photography.  This photo session is worth $250.00.  Many of us at Basset Rescue have had our bassets photographed by Mariah and have been absolutely thrilled with the results.

Please take advantage of the opportunity to win a photo session with Mariah and start collecting your pledges today.  All pledges of $10 and up will receive a tax receipt.

Volunteers and Sponsorship

We are looking for volunteers to help us at the event.  If you are interested in helping out during the event please contact Mindy at mindy@bassetrescue.ca.

Other areas we require your help in are sponsorship for the event.  If you are able to assist in sponsorship through your business, please contact Mindy.  All event sponsorships will be credited on our website and promotions and marketing and will go a long way to helping make sure the 2012 Basset Bustle is the best basset extravaganza any of us has ever known!  Please let us know if you are able to help.

Please also contact Mindy if you have anything you want to add to our participants' goody bags!  Plus we are always looking for new raffle items.  Raffle items do not need to be dog related.  The raffle is all new merchandise, gift certificates and services, and if you can contribute please let Mindy know.

Of course this event could not be possible without your participation and support.  Please let all of your basset loving friends, neighbours, colleagues, and even the stranger you see walking their bassets, know about this wonderful and important Basset Extravaganza.   We encourage you to print a few posters and put it up in your community. We can also send a few posters to you if needed.

Click here for the 2012 Basset Bustle Extravaganza poster.

Please keep checking your inbox, our facebook page, and upcoming editions of The Howler for updates.

We look forward to sharing 25 years of Basset Rescue in Ontario with members, friends and adopters at Canada's largest gathering of basset hounds at the May 26 2012, Basset Bustle Extravaganza.

Please join our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/bassetrescue if you wish to have more regular updates.

Please email Dawn at dawn@bassetrescue.ca if you have any questions.

2012 Basset Bustle Extravaganza Press Release