Michelle Hicks, the founder of Basset Rescue of Central California, has been caring for the hounds with the appealing doleful eyes
for more than five years. Operating out of her home, she has sought good homes with loving people for the hounds who found
their way to her property in Kingsburg.  

Over the years, her rescue has grown and become a nonprofit organization, the local arm of the national Basset Rescue that has 
no-kill shelters around the nation. But this month, Hicks is passing the leadership of Basset Rescue of Central California to 
Susan Nickelson of Fresno, the new president of Basset Rescue of Central California.

Nickelson is already the parent of two bassets, Cholee and Zhoee, whom she adopted from the Kingsburg shelter.
And in passing the presidency to another basset lover, one could be equally accurate in saying Hicks is passing the torch to
Nickelson, because both women "carry a torch" for the hounds with the droopy eyes.

"Basset Rescue of Central California is dedicated to the welfare of basset hounds," said Nickelson. "We work 
with volunteers who find the homes for abandoned or owner-relinquished animals. We find the bassets in pounds, in shelters 
and as strays."  All of the bassets are examined by a veterinarian, given shots and spayed or neutered. The dogs remain in the
shelter or in a foster home until an adoptive home is found. While with a foster home, the basset is evaluated to determine what
kind of permanent home would be best for the dog: with children, with elderly stay-at-homes, at a home with a large backyard or
suitable as a house pet.

"We are very careful in placing our bassets," said Nickelson. "The basset is our first concern. A lot of these bassets
 have been abandoned, abused or totally neglected."

Basset Rescue has guidelines for adoption. After the adopting family completes an application, the basset rescue
volunteers or staff will arrange a home visit so that the new basset parent can meet the basset and the potential for a good match
assessed.

"We do ask for a contribution for adopting a basset. These contributions and fund-raising events supply the money to
keep the Basset Rescue able to continue its work," said Nickelson .

The part that she did not say is that those people who adopt animals out of a shelter may have nefarious 
designs on the animal; for example, turning the dog over to a facility which permits medical testing on the animals. Shelters
around the nation have found that asking for a contribution guarantees that the animal, in this case a basset, will actually be
going to a home where they will be cared for and loved.chance to have a home of their own, like the homes we each already have
for our own bassets."In the new home, "the basset will be your best friend and your buddy," said Nickelson. "He will be ready
to defend you if needed.You become his life, the one he depends on for food and for love. A basset owner owes it to the basset
to be worthy of the devotion these dogs give us."

Nickelson said that in the transition between the rescue in Kingsburg to the one opening in Madera to house the bassets, 
extra volunteer time would be appreciated. "Our bassets come from throughout the Central Valley, Bakersfield to Modesto," 
she said."We need volunteers to transport the bassets, to open their own homes as foster homes, to take the bassets to the
veterinarian appointments and to help in countless other ways throughout the transition."

Additionally, donations of money and or dog food, preferably a brand such as IAMS, would be a help.

And, although the bassets may be moving on from Kingsburg, they will be back for the organization's main fund-raiser, 
the Basset Waddle that is part of the Kingsburg Swedish Festival parade.

To learn more about the organization or to adopt a basset hound, visit the organization's Web site at 
 or contact Nickelson by e-mail at or call (800) 273-2513, ext. 03.