| Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los | | | | microchip. When a dog is micro-chipped and |
| Angeles Animal Services shelters are "Pit Bulls". | | | | registered to a family, it reduces his chances of being |
| American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire | | | | lost. Most shelters and Vets provide micro-chipping |
| Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull are various names used | | | | services. |
| to describe the breed and any mix thereof. | | | | Microchipping also protects dogs from "bad guys". |
| Whatever name they go by, they refer to a breed | | | | When owners are identifiable on a database, the dog |
| that has been labeled ounce-for-ounce, the strongest | | | | is secure against being abused or used in pit bull |
| dog in dogdom. These dogs have very adoptable | | | | fighting. |
| traits like a good disposition, stability, and superior | | | | Spay and neuter posters in Spanish and in English can |
| physical attributes but often these very | | | | also be printed from the website at http:/ |
| characteristics are presented to provide justification | | | | MuttShack is asking everyone to print up copies of |
| for fighting them. | | | | the poster, and to put them up at Pet Stores, Vets |
| Owning a "Pit Bull" gives their guardians a badge of | | | | Offices, and animal related facilities, and put them |
| bravado. These dogs are considered to be "macho" | | | | local bulletin boards and coffee shops. Think it is a |
| and therefore many owners don't want to neuter | | | | waste of time? - Consider this: Every poster put up |
| and spay them resulting in many unplanned and | | | | and broadly circulated so far has resulted in an |
| accidental litters. Consequently, they are also the | | | | adoption! |
| leading breed and breed mix in Los Angeles shelters. | | | | When you find the dog of your choice and want to |
| According to the Villalobos Pit Bull Rescue, the fallout | | | | adopt a LAAS Pit Bull, there is no need for a |
| is devastating. According to them the pit bull | | | | home-check. According to Heidi Heubner, the LAAS |
| population in the combined twelve shelters (six city | | | | Volunteer Coordinator, all the applicant’s |
| shelters and six county shelters in Los Angeles) has | | | | information is collected and processed. Then the pet |
| now risen to 40% of all the dogs in shelters. | | | | gets micro-chipped and sterilized before going to his |
| They say, "Approximately 10 pit bulls are brought in | | | | new home. The Microchip is the new dog's security |
| each day to each shelter. That's 120 pit bulls a day. | | | | blanket. It will keep track of the owners if he ever |
| Most are strays, tossed out like dirty laundry." They | | | | turns up at the shelter. |
| calculate, "At the end of a week the total comes to | | | | There is a fee of course, but it is a fraction of what |
| 840 pit bulls. Then, according to Animal Control | | | | a pet store or breeder charges, and essentially |
| records, only about 2 pit bulls a week get adopted. | | | | covers the medical bills. |
| That means 838 pit bulls a week, die in local shelters." | | | | See LAAS' recent program in pit bull handling at [ |
| [Villabos Pit Bull Rescue: | | | | According to Pia Salk of 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com, |
| The MuttShack Animal Foster and Rescue | | | | adopting an adult Pit Bull is an instant friend for life. |
| Foundation, is dedicated to change this tragic statistic. | | | | "Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog, and |
| "We need massive adoptions from shelters, a very | | | | they'll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as |
| aggressive spay and neuter program, and an | | | | deep as they come. When you open your heart and |
| inescapable dog ID’ and micro-chipping | | | | your home to a dog that needs help, they really do |
| campaign," says the founder, Amanda St. John. | | | | show their appreciation for the rest of their life! No |
| Shelter dogs are in a life and death competition with | | | | matter what circumstances brought them to the |
| Breeders and Pet Stores for potential homes. Shelter | | | | shelter or rescue group, most dogs for adoption are |
| dogs need a LifeLine to get their profiles out there. | | | | exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and |
| Pounds are filled with purebreds and gorgeous pit | | | | extremely loyal companions. But first you have to |
| mixes, puppies and trained older dogs. | | | | adopt one!" she says. |
| To promote the adoption of at risk pit bulls from Los | | | | MuttShack sees abandoned dogs daily. A recent |
| Angeles Animal Services, MuttShack has put together | | | | E-mail sent on behalf of the Linda Blair World Heart |
| a slide show that may easily be forwarded to friends | | | | Foundation read. "Attached you will find a picture of |
| by e-mail. It is a grassroots effort and the Pound Pit | | | | Peetie. Peetie is a 9-month-old pit/boxer/dalmation |
| Bulls' only hope in this competitive pet market. | | | | mix that was rescued by Linda Blair. He had been |
| A viewer can pause the slideshow at any time, read | | | | used as "bait" in Pit bull fights. His ears had been cut |
| information about the particular dog and find out | | | | half way off. You would think that this would make |
| where to visit him. | | | | Peetie an unapproachable dog and aggressive. |
| The link is updated daily with new dogs, and fresh | | | | However it is quite the opposite. He is friendly, |
| information. MuttShack's Lifeline for LA Pit bulls can | | | | playful, trusting and loves to be petted even on the |
| be found at [ | | | | ears. He has all his shots and has been neutered, is |
| "Please copy the LifeLine link and forward it to your | | | | house trained and is the best little boy!!! He loves |
| friends, looking to adopt, or bail one out of the | | | | dogs and people. He wants to be loved and he gives |
| shelter. If you know someone who has a pit bull, or | | | | love. (He is not great around cats however.) We |
| mix, forward the link so that they can get free | | | | really need someone to foster him until he finds his |
| sterilization and microchipping information!" said Ms. St. | | | | new incredible family." Looking at his picture was just |
| John. | | | | a validation of everything they said! Link to Peetie's |
| [ | | | | photo at [ |
| Several organizations have come forward to offer | | | | About Muttshack: |
| FREE spay and neuter of any domesticated Pit Bull or | | | | Muttshack Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit, a |
| pit-mix. | | | | project of the National Heritage Foundation, |
| > In Los Angeles, Actors and Others For Animals | | | | established in 1968. MuttShack Foster and Animal |
| have declared their mission to curb the problem by | | | | Rescue promotes the education and creation of |
| offering free Pit Bull spay/neuter surgeries. | | | | foster homes for abandoned and abused animals. |
| (Telephone 818-755-6045, or 818-755-6323. Visit | | | | Muttshackers rescue animals from shelters, and from |
| > The Pasadena Humane Society, are offering | | | | the streets, rehabilitate and nurture them to health in |
| spay and neuter through their SNiP program. | | | | homes (MuttShacks) and find them quality, |
| (Telephone 626-792-7151 x106 or | | | | permanent new families. |
| Most dogs forever loose the families they love, | | | | By intervening and rescuing shelter animals about to |
| because they lack a cheap six-dollar ID tag. A simple | | | | be put to sleep, MuttShack fostering stops the |
| ID tag on every dog could save hundreds of dogs' | | | | senseless killing of healthy animals in overcrowded |
| lives. However, since collars can get pulled off during | | | | shelters. |
| a rescue attempt, the soundest identification is a | | | | |