Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust

04/04/2025

OUR GIRLS NEED SOME HELP! CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

Our sweet girls mean well. They want to create fantastic crafts for Bichon Bash 2025's Art Auction, but it looks like they need your help. As so many of you are talented and creative artists, we are hoping you will donate your amazing handiwork again this year. And for those of you new to our community, we would love you to join in the fun. Bichon-themed pieces are great, but all arts and crafts are deeply appreciated as well. Proceeds from their sale at the Bash help defray the costs of medical care for our rescues throughout the year. Even if you will not be able to attend the Bash, sharing your artwork is a perfect way to participate!

They may be mailed or delivered to:
ATT: Bichon Bash
6006 Creekstone Lane
Centreville, Virginia 20120

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected]. As a reminder, the details for Bichon Bash 2025 are:

DATE: Sunday, September 21, 2025
TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
VENUE: Northern Fauquier Community Park
LOCATION: Marshall, Virginia

Our on-line registration will begin the first week in July, so please watch for more information closer to the date. Of course, tickets may also be purchased at the Bash.

02/04/2025

MAYA, OUR SWEET BICHON/SHIH TZU MIX, IS HOME!

We heard from Maya’s human companion back in March. She told us the demands of her job were not allowing her to give Maya all the love, affection and attention she deserved, and she wanted more for her. One of our amazing volunteers met up with the pair and took Maya into rescue to prepare her for a new life. Maya turned out to be one adorable little buttercup, laid back, playful and friendly! After being vetted and spayed, she was ready for the perfect home, and we found it. A retired couple who had many dogs over the years, but never a Bichon, was ready to adopt a pup. We loved them, and of course they immediately fell in love with Maya and adopted her. NOTE TO MAYA’S NEW MOM AND DAD: Bichons are like potato chips – you can’t have just one. And they tend to burrow themselves deep into your hearts forever. Sweet Maya, we are thrilled for you. Enjoy all the pampering coming your way!

01/04/2025

SOMETIMES THINGS ARE JUST MEANT TO BE – REDS (NOW EVEREST) IS HOME

Reds was another dirty, frightened and woefully neglected five-year-old girl who found herself outside in the cold in the middle of winter and then in a Maryland animal shelter, but her story is different. Shelter staff named her Reds for one reason: the red dye from the tattered sweater she must have been wearing for a very long time had turned her hair pink/red. One of our most devoted transport volunteers picked her up from the shelter and delivered her to the anxiously waiting BFCACT foster family. But in that one-hour trip the volunteer fell head-over-heels in love with Reds. She had been looking for a pup, and she knew she had found her. The foster family members took amazing care of her through her spay surgery and a bout of Giardia and, with a few lumps in their throats, happily turned her over to the volunteer who adopted her last week. Everest is everything her new family hoped she would be – sweet and loving, patient with the grandchildren, and a devoted companion. Our hearts are soaring! Little girl, may your future be filled with all the happiness and love you missed in your first five years. Congratulations to Everest and her new adoring family!

30/03/2025

FROM MISERY TO UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - LEMON (NOW TULLY) IS HOME!

Lemon arrived in a Maryland animal shelter this winter as a stray, cold, flea-infested, scared and very dirty. She apparently had been used for breeding. The shelter’s vet estimated her to be about seven years of age and diagnosed her with an early cataract in one eye. A devoted first-time BFCACT foster pulled her from the shelter, showered her with attention and love, and nursed her through her recovery for dental and spay surgery. And now, drum roll……she has been adopted by an amazing registered nurse who will pamper and cherish her and is already planning plenty of long walks, dog park visits and day trips for this little princess. Happy Life, sweet girl!

26/03/2025

In case you haven't seen...

26/03/2025

LOOK AT OUR POOR ALABAMA SHELTER GIRL, ROSA, NOW! HAPPY, SUPER CUTE, LOVING AND READY FOR A FAMILY OF HER OWN. She is being fostered in Gainesville, Florida.

Believe it or not, this is the eight-year-old stray girl who ended up in a Wetumpka, Alabama, shelter a few weeks ago, dirty, matted and confused. The Bichon Community came through again, and an amazing lady with years of Bichon experience drove from Florida to pull her to safety and to foster her.

Sweet Rosa brings sunshine and her delightfully huge personality wherever she goes. Rosa is just as happy going for a walk, helping you in the garden or snuggling on your lap for hours on end. Even with her boundless energy, she has an “off” switch and settles right down to match your activity level.

Rosa would love to keep you warm at night in your bed but will politely sleep in her own bed if you prefer. She walks nicely on a leash. Rosa is dog friendly, shares her space comfortably with cats, and loves all of your friends and neighbors (even THAT neighbor). In fact, she greets new people and pets like they are her long lost friends. As a bonus, she will let you know when anyone approaches your home and is devoted to keeping your yard squirrel free.

Rosa has not yet been tested with children, but we believe she would love to have someone to play with. She is fully vetted, had oral surgery leaving her with four beautiful little teeth and a healthy mouth, and is fully housetrained with NO accidents. She has not shown any separation anxiety. Weighing about 16 pounds now, Rosa is currently on a calorie-controlled diet to put her at a healthier weight. Rosa has level 2 and 3 patella issues on her rear legs, but they do not affect her mobility in any way. These photos don’t do her justice – she had to be completely cut down to remove all the mats, but she is uber adorable anyway! This little party girl with a sparkling personality and so much love to give is anxiously waiting for a family and home of her own.

To apply to adopt her, please complete an adoption application at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

25/03/2025

Maya, our Perfect Little Girl, is being fostered in Lorton, Virginia.

If you have been looking for a four-to-six-year-old pup, Maya may be the girl of your dreams. She is a five-year-old Bichon/Shih Tzu mix, also known as a “Teddy Bear” dog. As you can see, she is super cute. Add to that a “chill”, laid-back and calm temperament and she comes pretty close to being perfect! She tends to become attached to one person, although she also basks in love and attention from other family members and guests. Fully house-trained, she sits by the door when she needs to go outside. She enjoys taking short walks to explore all the sights, sounds and smells of new areas. Shy when first approached by other dogs, she tends to avoid large pups and takes a little time to warm up to those her size. While Maya doesn’t mind her crate, she much prefers to stay close to her human and sleeps at the foot of the bed. Maya doesn’t like to spend too much time alone and would probably do best with a retired person or family who is home most of the time. She weighs 14 pounds, is healthy, up to date on her vaccinations, and was recently spayed. If you have been looking for an adorable, gentle, affectionate companion who always wants to be by your side, you found her!

Applications to adopt Maya are available at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

24/03/2025

In case you haven't seen...

WILL YOU BE THE STAR OF THIS HEARTWARMING STORY? TOBY (NOW TOBY KEITH) IS READY FOR HIS NEW HOME! He is Being Fostered in Centreville, Virginia.

Yes, this is THE Toby we told you about several weeks ago. Now known as Toby Keith, this adorable little boy was turned into a Maryland shelter because his human companion passed away, the family could not take him, and his time in the shelter was running short --very short. The BFCACT Chair, Zandra, jumped into action, pleading with the shelter to give us a day to bring him to safety. One of our dedicated and passionate volunteers rearranged her schedule to pull him immediately. She met up with Zandra in Virginia, who planned to take him temporarily until a foster could be found. Well, that didn’t happen. Zandra immediately fell in love with this sweetheart of a boy and decided to foster him herself. But now she knows it is time for him to find his new forever family.

Toby is one amazing little boy. He loves to play with other small, friendly dogs and to take nice long walks with his Foster Mom, where he enjoys the spring weather with all its new sights, sounds and smells. He is great with new people and dogs he meets but hasn’t been tested with cats. His favorite place is sitting right next to you, wherever you are. We are not sure how old he is (neither did his previous family), but based on his energy level, curiosity and playful behaviors, we are guessing that he is around 11 years old. Toby is blind in one eye, which doesn’t stop him from being an active, happy dog. Toby Keith does well on the Foster Mom’s outside steps leading to her house but is still afraid to tackle a full flight of stairs inside. He has shown some improvement, thanks to Mom’s training and patience. This precious pup weighs about 14 pounds, was great at the groomers, and has been vetted and neutered. He is housetrained if he is taken outside regularly to potty. As he is in a very early stage of kidney disease, Toby needs to eat special prescription food to keep him healthy. He would be a perfect, entertaining companion and cuddle bug for a retired person or couple.

Will you be Toby Keith’s “star” by adopting him and giving him a second chance for a happy life? Whatever love you give him would be returned many times over.

TO ADOPT: https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

TO DONATE: If you can’t adopt Toby Keith but would like to donate to help us save more dogs like him, please go to https://www.bichonrescue.org/donate

24/03/2025

WILL YOU BE THE STAR OF THIS HEARTWARMING STORY? TOBY (NOW TOBY KEITH) IS READY FOR HIS NEW HOME! He is Being Fostered in Centreville, Virginia.

Yes, this is THE Toby we told you about several weeks ago. Now known as Toby Keith, this adorable little boy was turned into a Maryland shelter because his human companion passed away, the family could not take him, and his time in the shelter was running short --very short. The BFCACT Chair, Zandra, jumped into action, pleading with the shelter to give us a day to bring him to safety. One of our dedicated and passionate volunteers rearranged her schedule to pull him immediately. She met up with Zandra in Virginia, who planned to take him temporarily until a foster could be found. Well, that didn’t happen. Zandra immediately fell in love with this sweetheart of a boy and decided to foster him herself. But now she knows it is time for him to find his new forever family.

Toby is one amazing little boy. He loves to play with other small, friendly dogs and to take nice long walks with his Foster Mom, where he enjoys the spring weather with all its new sights, sounds and smells. He is great with new people and dogs he meets but hasn’t been tested with cats. His favorite place is sitting right next to you, wherever you are. We are not sure how old he is (neither did his previous family), but based on his energy level, curiosity and playful behaviors, we are guessing that he is around 11 years old. Toby is blind in one eye, which doesn’t stop him from being an active, happy dog. Toby Keith does well on the Foster Mom’s outside steps leading to her house but is still afraid to tackle a full flight of stairs inside. He has shown some improvement, thanks to Mom’s training and patience. This precious pup weighs about 14 pounds, was great at the groomers, and has been vetted and neutered. He is housetrained if he is taken outside regularly to potty. As he is in a very early stage of kidney disease, Toby needs to eat special prescription food to keep him healthy. He would be a perfect, entertaining companion and cuddle bug for a retired person or couple.

Will you be Toby Keith’s “star” by adopting him and giving him a second chance for a happy life? Whatever love you give him would be returned many times over.

TO ADOPT: https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

TO DONATE: If you can’t adopt Toby Keith but would like to donate to help us save more dogs like him, please go to https://www.bichonrescue.org/donate

19/03/2025

Please help us find a home for this amazing girl!

18/03/2025

**Luna is looking for her very own people to love. Can YOU open your heart to this amazing cuddle bug? (She is in Altamonte Springs, Florida)

Luna is a sweet, active, happy 12-year-young girl still waiting for her perfect match. She loves snuggling in bed, relaxing on car rides, and being near her person. Fully vetted, spayed and weighing 13 pounds, she’s housetrained and signals when she needs to go. And she’s very special:

- Loyal and affectionate - perfect for a one-dog home!
- Needs a fenced yard and no kids under 12 (reactive to unfamiliar dogs).
- Heart murmur managed and kidney-friendly diet needed
- Past alopecia means less fur for now (and fewer trips to the groomer), but she’s adorable in a sweater!

Ideal for a retired person or couple home often. She’s not perfect - she’ll beg for food and purloin tissues - but that’s part of her charm! Apply now at [https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form] to pamper this heart-capturing girl. DM us for details!

18/03/2025

The girls are still looking for a loving new home. They are currently living near Wi******er, Virginia, and are nearly perfect in their housetraining! Will you open your heart to them?

17/03/2025

URGENT APPEAL FOR BONDED GIRLS WHO DESPERATELY NEED A NEW HOME (currently living near Wi******er, Virginia)

Dear Friends,

This is an urgent appeal for help in finding a loving family for 10-year-old bonded Bichon girls who desperately need a new home. This is no ordinary story and the struggles are unthinkable, so please hear us out and consider giving them a new place to call their own.

Tessa and Dixie spent their first five years in cages as breeder girls in Mississippi. Their only human contact was a person taking them out of their cages to make more puppies. Once they were no longer “useful”, they were turned over to a rescue along with many other unwanted breeder dogs. They were eventually adopted by a compassionate family who is over-the-moon in love with Bichons and who wanted to help the most needy dogs. That was five years ago, and the girls have been living the best possible lives, getting great medical care, healthy food, and as much affection and attention as any dogs, ever. But sadly, the family’s life took a tragic course and their Mom cannot keep her beloved girls.

Tessa and Dixie are 20 pounds and 18 pounds respectively. They could be sisters, but we don’t know for sure, and are extremely bonded. Because of the beyond-horrible puppy mill conditions they endured, Dixie and Tessa learned some coping mechanisms which they continue to use for comfort. Sometimes they lick each other's faces or tummies to soothe each other. This has caused some staining on their hair, especially on Tessa's face. But we must say that is the cutest doggie mask we've ever seen. If they are out of each other’s sight for even a minute they become anxious and extremely distressed.

Thanks to the devotion of their owner, they have slowly begun to enjoy their lives and are sweet and affectionate pets. While they are not lapdogs, they have to sit right next to Mom on the sofa, follow her around wherever she goes and sleep in or near her bed. They can be playful and frequently engage in adorable puppy-like play with their stuffies and happily wrestle with each other. They will not walk on a leash…but get this…they adore being pushed by Mom in their very own “push wagon” to greet the world and enjoy all the sights and sounds it has to offer.

Tessa has never figured out how to navigate a full flight of indoor stairs so a one-level home is a must unless you are willing and able to carry the 20-pound girl from one floor to another. She can handle three or four steps on the outside deck. Likely because of poor nutrition in their early years, both dogs are susceptible to struvite crystals and Tessa had surgery to remove stones last year. They both need to be monitored and are on a special prescription diet and cranberry supplements to keep them healthy. Both are wary of strangers. They show no aggression, but after they learn they are safe, they warm up and are very loving and sweet. They have never been around cats. They are almost perfect in their housetraining. A large fenced-in yard would be fantastic for them to play and run around in. Their vet has recently prescribed trazodone for Tessa to lessen anxiety and so far it seems to be working!

We know what we are asking. Taking in one, much less two breeder girls is not easy. The good news is that they have come a long way in five years. But some of the emotional scars from those miserable days in the puppy mill haunt them and they still have a way to go. Those people who have loved and cared for breeder dogs will tell you that there is an immense sense of satisfaction and joy in helping them experience happy dog lives. We hope you will consider bringing Tessa and Dixie into your life and allowing them to thrive and reap the benefits of unconditional love. If so, please complete an application to adopt form at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

13/03/2025

This girl deserves a wonderful home! Can you help?

13/03/2025

WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL ADOPTER FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRL, LUNA (BEING FOSTERED IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLORIDA)

Luna is a 12-year-old active, happy, energetic girl. Even though she had a rough start in life, she is just the sweetest dog. She is loyal and dedicated to her human companion. A “cuddler extraordinaire”, she loves snuggling next to her foster mom in bed, where she snores quietly and contentedly all night long. She is totally (and we mean TOTALLY) housetrained and will potty every time she goes out and will sit in front of her foster mom to signal her. She is great in the car and finds a long ride a perfect time to relax and catch some zzz’s.

She needs a person or family with some experience with dogs who can continue the training her foster mom has begun. She is not fond of dogs she doesn’t know and can be reactive with dogs on leash so a fenced-in yard is preferred. Luna will do best in a home with no other dogs and no children in the home under the age of 12. Luna always wants to be near her Mom and can get underfoot if you are not careful. This girl still begs for “people food” and loves nothing better than pulling Kleenex tissues out of the box for a quick snack (but nobody’s perfect!).

Luna weighs 13 pounds, is spayed and fully vetted. She does have a heart murmur, not unusual for pups her age, but she had a full dental last week and came through it with flying colors. She needs to eat canned prescription food to keep her kidneys healthy. Sweet Luna is missing some body fur because of alopecia. but it is beginning to grow back, thanks to the loving care of her BFCACT foster. By the way, she looks adorable in her sweater if she gets cold. She would be perfect for a retired person or couple who are home much of the time. Luna is one of those pups who can capture your heart (she certainly did ours!). Beautiful in her own way and wanting to live life to the fullest, Luna needs someone to give her a secure, loving home and to pamper and cherish her. Are you the one? If so, please complete an application to adopt at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

12/03/2025

In case you haven't seen this adorable boy...

CORKY IN HERMISTON, OREGON, NEEDS A FOSTER

How does all this cuteness find its way into one little boy! We can’t answer that, but we sure think he is a little charmer! His name is Corky (fits him, yes?). He is an 11-year-old bundle of love. Corky had been living with his Dad his whole life and they meant the world to each other. Sadly, Dad had to give him up for health reasons and the family stepped in to care for Corky until a new loving home can be found. The family tells us he is a lapdog extraordinaire, spending many happy years giving treasured companionship to his Dad. But he is also an active boy and loves to run and play in the yard. We understand he is good with children and the other dogs he has met. He is not fond of cats, however, and tends to chase them…..a lot.

Corky is neutered and his family is not aware of any medical issues. This adorable boy desperately needs a new lap to warm and a life buddy or family to love. We hope the Bichon Community can step up again to help a dog in need. If you are interested in fostering him or any other rescued Bichon coming into our rescue, please let us know. Our foster application is available at https://www.bichonrescue.org/volunteer. Thank you.

11/03/2025

CORKY IN HERMISTON, OREGON, NEEDS A FOSTER

How does all this cuteness find its way into one little boy! We can’t answer that, but we sure think he is a little charmer! His name is Corky (fits him, yes?). He is an 11-year-old bundle of love. Corky had been living with his Dad his whole life and they meant the world to each other. Sadly, Dad had to give him up for health reasons and the family stepped in to care for Corky until a new loving home can be found. The family tells us he is a lapdog extraordinaire, spending many happy years giving treasured companionship to his Dad. But he is also an active boy and loves to run and play in the yard. We understand he is good with children and the other dogs he has met. He is not fond of cats, however, and tends to chase them…..a lot.

Corky is neutered and his family is not aware of any medical issues. This adorable boy desperately needs a new lap to warm and a life buddy or family to love. We hope the Bichon Community can step up again to help a dog in need. If you are interested in fostering him or any other rescued Bichon coming into our rescue, please let us know. Our foster application is available at https://www.bichonrescue.org/volunteer. Thank you.

11/03/2025

WILL YOU HELP US HELP OUR BICHON RESCUES?

Dear Friends,

BFCACT is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to take in abandoned and surrendered Bichons, provide them with necessary medical care and rehome them to loving families. We pull needy dogs from shelters and accept dogs from owners who can no longer care for them. We are proud that we have given so many Bichons a second lease on life and look forward to helping even more in the future.

Our dedicated team of volunteers and fosters work untold hours every week to make this all happen. But we can’t do it without your help. We rely exclusively on the generosity of our donors to defray the high costs of veterinary care for our rescues. Routine dentals, spay/neuter surgeries and vet exams alone can be costly, but so many of our dogs also need other care including bladder/kidney stone surgery, tumor or growth removal, repair of injuries, or eye surgery in order to thrive in new homes. We patronize vets offering generous rescue discounts, and the team maximizes available resources to help as many dogs as possible.

So far this quarter we have paid out more than $21,000 in vet bills and taken in only a fraction of that amount in adoption and other donations. We rely on our amazing annual fall event, the Bichon Bash, to help fund our work, but it is only a good first step in meeting our yearly veterinary expenses. As you plan your 2025 budget, we hope you will consider including us among your list of groups worthy of your charitable donations. So many Bichons need us – and we, in turn, need your help to give them a better life. Donations are gratefully accepted at https://www.bichonrescue.org/donate. Checks may be sent to our Treasurer:

Karren Snell
Treasurer, BFCACT
20 N Public Square
Angola, IN 46703

Thank you!
The BFCACT Rescue Team