Why Rescue?
Rescuing a dog is a noble act. It takes a great person to help a dog in need but before you run out and rescue a dog from anywhere there are some things you should know first.
If you would rather rescue a dog than buy a dog from a responsible breeder then you should do the same things you would if you were going to purchase a dog from champion show or working lines.
Research the rescue, are they breed specific? Do they have purebreds or only mixes? Do they have spay/neuter programs? Are they knowledgeble about the breed? Will they help you with your questions or is their main concern getting the dog out the door? All rescues are not created equal and doing your due diligence is of the utmost importance.
Never considered rescue before?
If You Are Considering Rescue here are some benefits you may not know about:
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Image credit: outofthepits.org Cost less – In most cases you can adopt a rescue Pit Bull for under $150.
- Already vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and micro chipped. Again, saving you a great deal of money.
- You know their temperament. Rescue dogs on average are one to six years of age. So you know what you’re getting in the dog as far as its attitude with kids, dogs, cats, etc… No guessing.
- Basic obedience is already started. Many organizations start basic training immediately. You get a dog with some training.
- You’re giving them a second chance at a happy, productive life.
If you are seriously looking to get an American Pit Bull Terrier (AKA Pit Bull), then yes, you should look at rescue very closely and then you can decide for yourself.
The Pit Bull Training Handbook
Recommended Pit Bull Rescue Organizations
Here are a few rescue organizations that have some high caliber Pit Bulls that need a forever home. We know the operators and highly recommend working with them to find your first (or your next) Pit Bull.
- Hug A Bull – HugABull is a registered non-profit organization and a community of pit bull owners, advocates and enthusiasts. Our mission is to rescue dogs, provide public education, and build a community of responsible pit bull owners and supporters. HugABull operates primarily in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan, while serving the entire province of BC (Canada)
- Even Chance: Pit Bull Advocacy, Resources and Rescue – Even Chance strives to rescue temperamentally sound pit bulls from San Diego shelters, animal hospitals, as well as dogs seized form organized dog fighting rings and humane cases.
- Pit Bulls for Life (Canada) – Pit Bulls for Life Foundation of Alberta is a not for profit foundation that is dedicated to rescuing and re-homing unwanted and abandoned Pit Bulls and other pit bull type breeds from shelters and animal controls in and around the Alberta area.
- New Hope Pit Bull Rescue – New Hope Pit Bull Rescue is a small foster home based organization founded by Alicia Domina and Kat Riley. They are dedicated to rehabilitating and re-homing unwanted, stray and abandoned Pit Bulls and Pit Bull type dogs.
- Out of the Pits
Image credit: outofthepits.org - Multnomah County Animal Services of Oregon
- Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness
- Homeward Bound Rescue
- Animal Resource Center Bloomsburg Pennsylvania
- Pit Bull Rescue Central
Is your best friend waiting at a rescue? You never know unless you give it an honest try. Rescue dogs are not mutts. Pit Bulls that end up in rescues are the result, more often than not, of people who did not know what they were getting into when they got the dog in the first place.
Fact is, most people just don’t have the time, money, patience, and fortitude to properly care for a dog. Especially an American Pit Bull Terrier. It’s up to us to make a difference. American Pit Bull Terrier’s as a breed are under siege and it’s up to us, the people who share our lives with them to make a difference.
Helping dogs in need and not adding to the problem of overpopulation is a step in the right direction. Rescuing a Pit Bull or sharing what we know about rescue in my mind is a requirement that comes with the dogs.
If you share your life with an American Pit Bull Terrier then this responsibility falls on you as well, are you ready for it? You better be, because each day you walk out in public with your dog you automatically become an ambassador for the breed and the people who love them.
And you thought it was just walking your dog (smiling). Some people are not ready to take on this responsibility and to that I say, step up to the plate and start working to better the breeds image today. Times are getting harder and many more countries, counties, states, and cities are banning these dogs. This problem will not get fixed if nothing is done. We have the power to make changes and it’s about time we did.
And if you’re like I used to be, thinking it wasn’t your problem, it will become your problem eventually if nothing is done about it.
