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Focus On: Pit Bulls
October 2024
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October Co-Founder's Note:
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Focus On: Pit Bulls
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So much has been written, challenged, debated, assumed, and misrepresented about Pit Bulls, that I’m hesitant to throw my two cents in the ring. Before I write another word, I’ll first offer the disclaimer that I have adopted and adored two Pit Bulls in my life. One ended in a tragedy that haunts me every day, and the other is a complicated, darling girl who loves me beyond measure. Gratitude for her presence in my life doesn’t begin to cover it.
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Cara with her Pit Bull, Fanny.
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So, I understand the depth of love and heartbreak that surrounds this amazing breed. (And when I say ‘breed’ I’m well aware that Pit Bull is an umbrella term for a mishmash of multiple breeds.) On our travels to shelters, we meet more Pit Bulls than any other kind of dog. Shelter life is hard on any dog, but for Pit Bulls, who, in my experience, are sensitive, intelligent, and have strong emotions and impulses, it is especially hard. I believe we need to continue to find ways to make shelter life more bearable and help pit bulls (and all dogs) find the homes they deserve.
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Here are five ways we’ve seen shelters tip the odds in their dogs’ favor:
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- They don’t allow interested adopters to walk through the kennels to meet the dogs. Pitties often don’t show well in these situations – the intensity and volume of their greetings can be intimidating. A new human entering the kennel area arouses all the dogs, but pitties, in particular, can allow their stress/emotions to go over the top. A better way for them to meet potential adopters is in a calm setting like a meet and greet room, a play yard, taking them for a walk, or even out at an event.
- Providing plenty of exercise for their dogs, including playgroups, gives the dogs a chance to be a dog every day, which leads to calmer, better rested dogs. For the shelters that don’t have the space to have playgroups, getting the dogs out for multiple walks with volunteers every day really helps.
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- Shelters that provide enrichment activities – especially chewing activities — have calmer, happier pitties. You can find lots of ideas in the enrichment section of our Resource Guide.
- Shelters that give their pitties opportunities to learn — in class settings or one-on-one — will also increase their dogs’ chances of finding a home. Pitties need mental stimulation and make excellent students. I’ve done obedience, agility, and frisbee with my pitties, and they excelled in classes and loved their time there. I was amazed at their focus, and they always came home exhausted afterward. Check with local trainers/schools and see if they would offer discounts to shelter staff or volunteers who bring a shelter animal for training. It can build a wonderful partnership.
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- Pitties are often natural hams and have expressive faces, so they are perfect for creating videos and graphics. Shelters that make their pitties into celebrities in this manner will move them along faster.
- I have no proof of this, but I think names are powerful, and giving your pitties clever, timely, or funny names will help get them attention and potentially an adopter. I’ve been unofficially testing this idea when I get to name the puppies I foster. I give the best names to the puppies I think will be less likely to be picked first – and, at least in my unofficial study, that does seem to work!
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Until Each One Has A Home,
Cara Achterberg
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Kentucky is different. Now that we’ve been to over twenty Kentucky shelters, at least when it comes to animal shelter, that much is clear. Municipal animal control shelters usually fall under the realm of the sheriff’s department, the agriculture department, or exist as their own department reporting directly to municipal leadership. Generally, the person who ultimately makes policy decisions and …
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From the Resource Guide
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HELPING HOMELESS BULLY BREEDS
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The first initiative in the action kit is for shelters to establish a Pit Crew, a group of volunteers who focus on educating the public about bully breeds and work to dispel the myths about these dogs and promote responsible dog ownership. Pit Crew volunteers also work to increase the adoption of homeless pit bulls and organize events and programs to promote spaying and neutering in the community.
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The second initiative in the Best Friends action kit is the creation of a Neighborhood Pit Bull Day to celebrate the wonderful qualities of these dogs, encourage responsible dog ownership, and provide accessible and affordable services to pit bull terriers. In addition, this one-day event is focused on providing free resources, products, education, and services to people who have pit bulls. This gathering of family members and their pit bulls can also help break through the stereotypes and myths about bully breeds.
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OTHER WAYS TO PROMOTE BULLY BREEDS
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Seek Help from Local Rescues
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Some shelters reach out to local rescue groups for help in finding homes for their longest residents. Unfortunately, bully breeds often spend longer in shelters than other dogs. At the Tazewell County Animal Shelter, VA the Pit Bull Second Chance rescue group works with bully breeds to help get them ready for their forever homes. In addition to working on enrichment activities volunteers who work with the longest residents can help promote these dogs on social media. Maury County Animal Services, TN launched "Take A Chance On Me", a trial adoption program focusing on the shelter’s longest residents showing signs of distress. Interested potential adopters take these dogs home for a trial run before fully committing to adopting. Supporters are asked to share the new program online in the hopes of finding loving homes where struggling shelter pets have the opportunity to relax and become their best selves.
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Highlight dogs in a fun way
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Animal lovers appreciate cute dog pics and these images are also a great way to find new homes for shelter dogs. Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project group, FL had the wonderful idea of featuring a Silly Dog Sunday collage of their dogs being goofy, funny, and playful. Other shelters feature Funny Dog Fridays or Tongue-out Tuesdays as a fun way to highlight adoptable dogs. Enlisting the help of a local photographer or a volunteer who is good with a camera helps show dogs in the best light. Be sure the images are clickable and link potential adopters to information about each dog.
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Cute videos of dogs interacting with staff and volunteers can be another great way to get them adopted. This is especially true for hard-to-place dogs as the videos help demonstrate the dogs’ personalities and can tug at the heartstrings of potential adopters.
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Local Leaders Can Help Promote Adoptions
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Schedule photo shoots of bully breeds with firefighters, police officers, or local elected officials. The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office is helping to promote dog adoption by featuring photos of officers posing with dogs from the Onslow County Animal Shelter, NC on social media. The posts include a description of the dogs. This is a great way to highlight shelter dogs while also engaging the community. This also offers a wonderful opportunity to get newspaper or TV coverage and may lead to more potential adopters visiting the shelter.
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Take Shelter Dogs Out into the Community
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Taking bully breeds out into the community is a great way to educate the public about the wonderful personalities of these dogs. Following are some off-site ideas for shelter volunteers:
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Take a dog to lunch or take one along when on a break or running an errand. The goal is to get them out and about, seeing and experiencing new things, and interacting with the public.
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Give a couple of dogs some social time by asking a co-worker to walk dogs with you off- site. The first step to providing this type of enrichment is to introduce the dogs carefully and safely, with the awareness that dogs often lack social skills when meeting each other. For more details on how to introduce dogs, read “Helping Shelter Dogs to Meet Each Other Successfully”. Besides providing social opportunities, encouraging dogs to interact politely also helps them become more adoptable.
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Host Wednesday walkabouts and dress adoptable bully breeds in “Adopt Me” vests or colorful bandanas. The walkabouts can take place in shopping centers or local parks. Handlers can put the dogs through short/fun training routines to show off their skills. These excursions are great for enrichment and make the dogs more visible to the public, increasing their chances of adoption. Dog handlers can hand out the dogs’ “business cards” to people interested in contacting the shelter for more information.
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Through the Roanoke Adventure Dogs program, the Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection Center, VA invites members of the community to take dogs out for day-long field trips. The program is a great alternative for those who are unable to adopt, but still want to make a difference in a shelter dog’s life. The shelter removes any barriers by making it easy for participants to get involved. They simply show up at the shelter after 9.30 a.m. and ask to take a dog out on an adventure. At that point the shelter staff or a volunteer:
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- Discusses the adventure plans and the person’s experience level
- Matches the person with a dog that would enjoy the planned adventure
- Makes sure the walking volunteer can handle the dog on a leash
- Goes over the basic rules when spending the day off-site with a shelter dog
- Asks the volunteer to fill out volunteer paperwork
The whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes and then the volunteer and dog can head off for a day of fun.
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Each week a staff member from the Caldwell County Animal Shelter, KY takes a dog to visit the local radio station to be featured on the Pet of the Week segment. Afterward, the dog visits with a local elected official or a business that supports the shelter to say thanks. Choosing bully breeds as the shelter’s Pet of the Week and taking these dogs out into the community to visit local businesses is a great way to demonstrate the loving personalities of these dogs.
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College campus visits offer shelter dogs a welcome break from the shelter while exposing them to a variety of people. Campus visits also provide a great opportunity to educate students about the work the shelter does and the struggles bully breeds specifically face overcoming negative stereotypes. Students can make wonderful ambassadors for these dogs. Visiting college campuses may also lead to the recruitment of new volunteers. For example, students from the University of the South enjoy taking dogs on group walks at the Animal Harbor shelter, TN.
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WWLDO Volunteer Corner
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Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
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WWLDO is looking for a new Volunteer Coordinator! This role is responsible for responding to volunteer applications and onboarding new volunteers. This includes assigning shelter liaisons and connecting new volunteers in other areas with the people and information they'll need. The Volunteer Coordinator is also a point of contact for questions and suggestions, and may serve on the Advisory Board.
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If interested, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator Laura May at laura@wwldo.org.
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Would you like to help raise awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who champion their cause? As a Shelter Liaison you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Shelter Liaisons play a crucial role in virtually supporting our shelter partners. As a Shelter Liaison, you will be monitoring our shelter partners' posts on social media and sharing their news, ideas, and needs.
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If interested, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator Laura May at laura@wwldo.org.
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Tips for Shelter Partners
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Grant Assistance
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The American Pit Bull Foundation
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The mission of the American Pit Bull Foundation (APBF) is to promote responsible dog ownership through education, programming, and assistance in North and South Carolina. The organization offers Giving Tuesday Grants to help local rescues and shelters helping pit bull-type dogs. The APBF also offers medical assistance for responsible bully breed owners facing financial difficulties in North and South Carolina through its Helping Hands Fund. Assistance offered through the APBF Helping Hands Fund is targeted towards, though not limited to:
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- Spay/Neuter, vaccinations, Heartworm testing, parasite screening, deworming
- Gastrointestinal surgery: intussusceptions, GDV, foreign body surgery
- Orthopedic surgeries: amputations, fracture repairs, cruciate repairs
- Skin and ear infections
- Ophthalmologic issues
As the foundation’s resources grow, assistance will be provided in other states.
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Bama Bully Rescue-Medical and Spay and Neuter Assistance Programs
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Bama Bully Rescue is a volunteer-run organization with members located across the state of Alabama. The rescue works with many different Alabama shelters to give bully breed dogs who face medical challenges or discrimination based on appearance a chance at finding a home. The rescue also offers assistance to Alabama residents who are struggling to pay for veterinary care or spay and neuter surgeries for their pit bull dogs.
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Pit Bull Rescue Center Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Program
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Stand Up for Pits Foundation
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The Stand Up for Pits Foundation offers Angel Grants that provide funds to rescues, facilities, individuals, and organizations to help with front-line rescue efforts. Front-line rescue efforts include shelter dogs in need of medical care, vet bills paid on behalf of individuals in need, providing supplies, AC units, pools, sail shades, enrichment items, etc. to large and rural shelters alike. Angel Grants are provided to dogfighting survivors and the organizations that save and rehabilitate them.
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to WWLDO grants advisor Nicole Sandler (nicolemiasandler@gmail.com), if you’d like to chat about the many grants opportunities listed in the WWLDO Resource Guide or simply how to apply for grants.
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"Many bully breeds are not for the first-time dog owner unless the person is willing to educate themselves and fully understands what to expect. People get these highly intelligent dogs and fail to give them the breed specific outlets they need. Because they can be 'quick to fire,' keeping his mind engaged and in thinking mode will keep his excitement levels on an even keel. Ensuring his environment is calm will ensure he can be too."
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Further Reading/Watching
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This powerful video by professional trainer Robert Cabral about why our shelters are full of pit bulls and why so many are killed there (pardon his language!).
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