Basset Hound Rescue Gives Assets to SpokAnimal
Washington Basset Rescue is ending its 38‑year run by transferring more than $50,000 in assets to Spokane‑based animal welfare group SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., a move intended to keep its mission alive after the rescue closed its doors.
Closure and asset transfer
The all‑volunteer rescue announced it would cease operations on June 1, having completed its final adoptions and cleared all debts. Rather than split remaining funds among several charities, co‑director Judy Brown and fundraising director Mary Charbonneau chose to donate $50,700, plus in‑kind items and fundraising supplies, to SpokAnimal, which operates from 710 N. Napa in Spokane.
“We wanted our legacy to continue through the animals this donation will help,” Charbonneau said. “We have complete confidence in SpokAnimal. They have the leadership, the mission, and the stewardship to make sure every dollar continues saving lives.”
She noted that careful financial management allowed the rescue to operate debt‑free and build reserves for this final contribution.
SpokAnimal’s response
SpokAnimal executive director Dori Peck described the gift as both “emotional and humbling.” “I was shocked to get the check… I wasn’t really shocked there was that much money because Mary is incredible with finances,” she added.
Peck highlighted the long‑standing partnership between the two groups, noting that Washington Basset Rescue had previously helped promote the adoption of a dog named Haley through SpokAnimal.
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“I was amazed that they chose us,” she said. “They could have given it to anyone or split it up lots of different ways. I know they spent time thinking about where it would make the biggest impact, and I was honored because they believed we would use that money well. That donation is going to save thousands of lives.”
History of Washington Basset Rescue
Founded in 1988 by Pat Benstine, known locally as “Auntie Pat,” the rescue began in the basement of her home near Whitworth University after she noticed a rise in abandoned basset hounds in the area.
The organization incorporated as a nonprofit in the 1990s and later moved to a dedicated property in Spokane’s Hillyard neighborhood.
After Benstine’s death 13 years ago, Brown and Charbonneau assumed leadership. They kept the group running despite losing its facility, ensuring that donations were funneled directly to animal care.
Over nearly four decades, the rescue coordinated puppy‑mill rescues, hosted community fundraisers, and partnered with shelters across Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Canada.
Charbonneau and her husband Paul have also become familiar faces in Spokane, famously dressing as “Spokane Santa and Mrs. C.”
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From a practical standpoint, the transfer means SpokAnimal can expand its existing programs without seeking new donors for the short term.
The funds are likely to be allocated toward veterinary care, shelter upgrades, and outreach initiatives that directly affect the animals currently in the system, rather than being tied up in administrative overhead.
Legacy and future outlook
The closure marks the end of an era for a group that built a network of adopters and volunteers spanning multiple states and even Canada.
Although Washington Basset Rescue has dissolved, its impact persists through the thousands of dogs it helped place in homes and the ongoing work funded by the recent donation.
That partnership, begun nearly 30 years ago, now continues under SpokAnimal’s stewardship, ensuring rescued animals receive care and find permanent families.
