FLIGHTS FOR FRANK
Meet the Hounds
Since January 2023, Flights For Frank has helped 15 basset hounds make their journey from China to the U.S. and into the loving arms of their forever families.
Meet our success stories — and the next hounds ready for takeoff.
Einstein
Waiting To Fly
Einstein is a sporty, low-rider sweetheart who looks every bit like a classic “Bagel”—the charming basset hound/beagle mix that inspired his name. We don’t know his full story yet, but when our partners in China asked if we could help him, we didn’t hesitate. What we do know is that he’s a young, playful hound with a big heart, and most importantly, he’s now safe in the care of trusted local rescuers. He is currently at a rescue base near Shanghai, waiting for his turn to fly.
We’ll share more about Einstein as we learn it—stay tuned for updates on this little Bagel boy’s journey.
Zoey
Arrived January 2023
Zoey was our very first Flights For Frank success story. In late 2022, she was dumped by an illegal breeder in China after failing to produce puppies and being deemed “no longer useful." Thankfully, the incredible team at Furry Tales Beijing stepped in just in time, saving her just before she could be slaughtered in the dog meat trade.
With the help of the global basset hound community, we raised the funds for Zoey’s journey home. On January 5, 2023, she landed safely in Los Angeles and began her new life in Santa Barbara, California, with a pack of basset sisters. These days, Zoey enjoys beach strolls, sniffing out gophers, dog park adventures, and wading in the ocean.
Follow Zoey and her pack on Instagram: @thebassetsofhendrysbeach
A "Tail" of Six Hounds
Arrived August 2023
In February 2023, six basset hounds—one male and five females—were rescued from a slaughterhouse in Southeast China. Thanks to the incredible efforts of Hope For China Dogs Rescue, they were brought to safety and received the life-saving medical care they so desperately needed.
With the support of the Flights For Frank community, these six hounds made their long journey home to the United States. On August 17, 2023, they landed safely in Los Angeles, beginning their new lives filled with love and second chances.
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Today, Minnie lives near Sacramento and is the ultimate mommy’s girl. Follow Minnie on IG at @mighty_minnie_basset_hound
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Grace calls San Diego home, where she lives with two basset sisters—and a human sister she absolutely adores.
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Addie (now Gemma) enjoys life in Santa Monica with her scruffy, lovable brother Finn.
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Willow lives in Santa Barbara with two other hound siblings, Tucker and Benny, and she loves her daily dog park adventures.
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Walter is the perfect gentleman, happily settled in San Diego with his “foster fail” basset brother—funny enough, also named Walter. Follow the Walters on IG at @the_walters_woof
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Geneva (renamed Millie Mae) was the big mama of the group, known for her humor and heart of gold. She was deeply loved by her mom and basset brother Fred. After a brave battle with cancer, she passed away in late 2024. Her joyful spirit continues to inspire us all, and we know she’s helping Frank save more hounds from the other side of the rainbow bridge. Follow memories of Millie Mae on IG at @fred_mortimer.millie_mae
Barney & Betty
Arrived November 2023
Our third rescue mission brought us two unforgettable hounds. Barney was discovered at a wet market just outside Beijing, while Betty was found hundreds of miles away in southern China, desperately in need of help. Their rescues were complex and emotional, but thanks to the tireless efforts of our rescue partners and supporters, both hounds were safely pulled to freedom.
Just days before Thanksgiving in 2023, Barney and Betty boarded their flight together to Los Angeles — a journey from fear to freedom, and the start of their new lives. Flights For Frank founder Ashley Parker fostered both hounds upon arrival. When it was determined that the two were not bonded, Betty, now Harper, found her forever home in Scottsdale, Arizona, thanks to the kind-hearted folks at the Truckin’ Basset Rescue Network, who helped arrange her transport. Harper is a spunky yet sweet girl who loves playing with her big dog brother, Scout.
As for Barney, his foster home quickly became his forever home. It didn’t take long to realize he was right where he belonged. Today, he lives in West Hollywood with his mom and basset brother, Ford. Barney is clumsy, goofy, endlessly snuggly, and adores humans with the biggest heart — and an even bigger stomach.
Follow Barney on Instagram: @ford_explores
Rosie & TuTu
Arrived August 2024
Rosie and Tutu were rescued from two different parts of China, but their paths soon intertwined on an incredible journey to freedom. Their rescue was far from easy — filled with roadblocks, delays, and canceled flights — but we never gave up on them. On August 30, 2024, both hounds finally landed safely in Los Angeles.
Today, Rosie lives in Redlands, California, with her basset sister, Violet — together, they make the perfect bouquet of bassets. Rosie has found her true calling as a therapy dog, spreading comfort and love wherever she goes.
Tutu, now Baxter, may be small, but he’s got the biggest personality. Curious, clever, fearless, and impossibly adorable, Baxter is a joyful bundle of energy. He now lives in Temecula, California, where he spends his days playing in his big backyard, though nothing makes him happier than snuggles and toys.
Follow Rosie on Instagram: @vipi_0903
Bebe
Arrived March 2026
Flights for Frank is proud to welcome Bebe as our 12th rescued basset hound. This little lady was originally rescued from an illegal breeder in Northern China in September 2025. At the time, she was incredibly weak and battling a severe lung infection, and it was unclear if she would survive. Bebe may be tiny, but her spirit is mighty. With the help of a dedicated local veterinary team, she fought hard, regained her strength, and made a full recovery.
After months of patiently waiting at a rescue base, we were finally able to arrange her freedom flight. On March 23, 2026, Bebe safely arrived in Los Angeles via Korean Air, accompanied by a flight nanny. She was smaller than we expected (not even 30 pounds!), but it was clear from the get-go that Bebe had a BIG personality!
After a little over two weeks with her fosters, Bebe was adopted into the most wonderful, loving family in the San Francisco Bay area. She has two young human brothers who love to play with her and two golden retriever siblings. She’s spunky, brave, playful, curious, a little sassy… and above all else, incredibly happy and grateful!
Welcome to your new life, Bebe. You deserve it.
Follow Bebe on Instagram at @benjithegolden22
Halloween Heroines
Arrived September 2026
Around Halloween in 2025, Flights For Frank received a call that four Basset hounds had been found headed for a meat market in the Harbin area of northern China.
We immediately said yes—we would help.
Sadly, one of the four Bassets did not survive long enough to receive the medical care she desperately needed. But three brave girls survived, and we were determined to give them the second chance they deserved.
And because it was spooky season, we gave them names worthy of their new beginning: Sally, inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas; Winifred, the powerful witch from Hocus Pocus; and Wednesday, the iconic daughter of The Addams Family.
Sally is a three-year-old, extra-long black-and-white Basset Hound. Winifred and Wednesday are striking all-black basset girls, with facial features that make us wonder if they may have some Shar-Pei in their mix. For nearly a year, the three girls lived at a rural rescue base in China alongside dozens and dozens of other dogs. Resources were incredibly limited. Conditions were difficult, and the dogs were surviving on just one meal of cornmeal porridge a day. Yet somehow, these girls' spirits remained unbroken.
Then, after the rescue base was hit by multiple devastating floods during the summer of 2026, our rescue coordinator with Hope For China Dogs Rescue was able to arrange emergency transportation for the girls. After nearly a year of waiting, their journey home was finally beginning.
Winifred arrived at LAX on September 4, 2026, followed by Sally and Wednesday on September 5.
There were plenty of tears at the airport as their foster families and adopters finally met the brave little heroines they had been waiting for.
And for Sally, there was an especially beautiful beginning. She went straight into her forever home in Northern California, where her new family gave her the Chinese name Méihuā (梅花), meaning “plum blossom,” and the English nickname Amy. From the moment Amy met her new parents, it was clear something special was happening. Their bond was immediate and undeniable. Her family describes her as gentle and sweet, with just a little bit of sass, and incredibly loving and grateful. After everything she endured, she is finally exactly where she belongs.
Winifred and Wednesday also began their new lives in Los Angeles, each going into loving foster homes. Wednesday is a bossy, brave little firecracker: energetic, playful, full of personality, and always ready for an adventure. But underneath that big personality is a very sweet girl who loves to snuggle.
And Winnie is simply adorable. A little more independent than her sister, but every bit as lovable—and already proving to be a big bundle of snoring sweetness. We can't wait to share more updates as Winnie and Wednesday continue settling into life in America and find their forever families.
This was one of the longest rescue missions Flights For Frank has ever worked on. For nearly a year, we fundraised, coordinated, planned, and supported these three girls as they waited for their chance to leave China. And now—just in time for fall—our three Halloween heroines finally got the happily ever after they deserve. No tricks, just treats from here on out.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible supporters who donated, shared their story, opened their homes, and believed in them throughout this long journey. Thank you for helping us bring these girls home.
Follow Amy on Instagram at @ameizing.amy