Mission & History


Coonhound and Foxhound Companions, Inc., is a Wisconsin-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit canine advocacy organization that operates throughout the U.S.  We are funded solely by donations and fundraisers. We operate with a 100% volunteer staff.

We advocate for the rescue, adoption and responsible guardianship of coonhounds, foxhounds and hound mixes as beloved indoor family companions. We envision a world where all companion animals are treated humanely, free of abuse, neglect, and suffering.

Our Story

Have you heard about the plight of the coonhound?

Widely viewed by hunters as “equipment,” coonhounds and foxhounds are not well-known outside of hunting circles. While they are highly regarded for their talents in tracking and treeing, too many are neglected, abused, and abandoned after the hunting season ends. Stray or surrendered hounds that do end up in shelters and pounds are often overlooked by potential adopters for more popular, familiar breeds.

This troubling scenario prompted the formation of Coonhound and Foxhound Companions in September 2010, when a group of online hound lovers began discussing the number of hounds being euthanized in shelters across the U.S. and Canada. Seeking a novel approach to increase awareness of these dogs as desirable family companions, we created a series of free educational posters in 2011 that have since been distributed to hundreds of shelters, pounds, and rescue organizations from Florida to Alaska.

That same year, we also launched our website, the Coonhound Companions Facebook page, and the Coonhound Rescue Network page on Facebook, now with over 16,000 members. 

We founded our Long Ears Alive! (LEA) Fund and our Project Hound programs in 2012.

Well over a decade later, our fundraising and outreach activities have enabled us to fund veterinary treatment exceeding $93,857 for over 600 dogs and earned media attention in Bark, Dog Fancy, and Modern Dog magazines. These efforts have had considerable influence on adopters. Coonhounds and foxhounds are becoming more popular across our continent!

* As of March 2026.

Our Team

Meet the drivers, doers, and hound lovers that make Coonhound and Foxhound Companions run every single day.

Two people at a table representing Peace Love Dogs, with shirts and a tshirt hanging behind them that have the Peace Love Dogs logo. The table has flyers, drinks, and various items, with a colorful graffiti wall in the background.
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  • Charlotte’s coonhound journey began 32 years ago when an old, stray Bluetick showed up in her backyard howling at 2 a.m. Starving and in rough shape, the local vet helped Flash “get straightened out” and he became an enjoyable companion for many years; subsequently setting the stage for all her future adoptions to be “only hounds.”

    With a desire to help more hounds, Charlotte was integral in transitioning the Howli-day Auction event fundraiser to an online platform (in 2018) and continues to manage this annual event. She joined the CFC Board in 2022 (serving as treasurer) and also researches and posts the “Adoptable Hound of the Week” on the Facebook page.

    Charlotte and her husband reside in Waldo, Ohio, along with Dixie, a Treeing Walker Coonhound (pictured) and a Bluetick named Joe.

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  • Active in dog rescue for over two decades, Jerry founded Tejas Coonhound Rescue, a networking group for scenthound rescue in Texas. He has also trained Great Danes and scenthounds for AKC Obedience and APDT Rally-O competition. Two of his rescued Great Danes were nationally ranked in obedience trials.

    In addition to CFC, Jerry is a former Board member for Etosha Rescue and Adoption Center.

    Jerry and his coonhound Otis live in Southern Williamson County, Texas.

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  • One of the original members of the Yahoo “Coonhound Fanciers” chat group, Anna’s love for hounds began with the adoption of Austin, a Treeing Walker Coonhound, from a local shelter where she volunteered.

    Simply stated, Anna is the backbone of the organization, ensuring CFC remains true to its mission while adapting to a constantly changing animal welfare landscape. In addition to serving as CFC Board President, Anna manages the Project Hound program and the “Life with My Rescued Foxhound” Facebook group.

    Anna and her husband reside in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with Belle (pictured; an American English Coonhound), a Foxhound, Batman, and a Boxer mix, Maddie, all adopted.

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  • Jill met fellow board member and CFC co-founder Anna Nirva in 2008 while adopting her first coonhound, Wanda, from the Driftless Humane Society in Wisconsin. Anna was a volunteer at the shelter and an advocate for allergy-prone Wanda.

    Jill has been serving as the Long Ears Alive! (LEA) coordinator since its inception in 2012, and began her tenure as a board member in 2016. In addition to her LEA responsibilities, Jill manages the Coonhound Rescue Network page.

    Jill and her husband reside in Wyoming, Minnesota, with their hound mix, Lori.

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