| American Pit Bull Terriers are difficult dogs to | | | | Bulls from people who may wish to abandon their |
| raise-they want a lot of care and attention. Neglected | | | | dogs for whatever reason, treat them and then |
| Pit Bulls may become aggressive and enter into fights | | | | scout for proper homes to relocate them. Most of |
| with other dogs and even humans. Since the 1980s | | | | these organizations screen the applicants of people |
| there have been many incidences of scrapes, even | | | | who wish to adopt Pit Bulls, even visit their homes |
| mauling cases, involving Pit Bulls. Though the culprits | | | | and cross-check with their veterinarians. |
| of these violent attacks were a handful, there has | | | | In today's fad-driven world, people are opting for |
| been enough bad publicity for the episodes and it has | | | | dogs that may be bred for their looks or certain |
| created a phobia for Pit Bulls among the people. The | | | | other traits. However, Pit Bull rescue teams cannot |
| last twenty years have been very difficult for Pit | | | | emphasize enough how much better it is to take in a |
| Bulls, what with governments banning them from | | | | rescued dog than a bred dog. For starters, it is |
| their cities (Manitoba, Ontario being examples), people | | | | morally better to give a home to a dog that has |
| turning them loose in the streets or abandoning them | | | | been rescued from some unfortunate circumstances |
| at rescue shelters. | | | | in the past. Rescue dogs are already spayed or |
| This is where Pit Bull rescue shelters come in. These | | | | neutered and treated for vaccines. Most of the |
| are voluntary organizations, which take in stray and | | | | rescue dogs are already trained under previous |
| abandoned Pit Bulls, nourish them, care for them and | | | | owners. And needless to say, rescue dogs look upon |
| even train them until they find an equally loving and | | | | their new owners like a messiah and will be totally |
| caring owner to adopt these pets. Pit Bulls taken up | | | | loyal to them. To add icing on the cake, rescue dogs |
| by shelters are spayed and neutered, vaccinated for | | | | are very cheap, less than $150, while the costs of |
| heartworm and given other vaccinations as may be | | | | purchasing a bred dog could go up to $5000. |
| required. | | | | But there are some strings attached. As most of the |
| Pit Bull rescue shelters operate widely on the | | | | dogs picked up by rescue shelters are stray or |
| Internet. There are various organizations like the Pit | | | | abandoned, there may not be documentation on |
| Bull Rescue Central, Bay Area Dog-lovers Responsible | | | | them. Rescue homes would not know the lineages |
| About Pit Bulls (BADRAP), among many others who | | | | and past histories of most of their dogs. However, |
| have their hearts in the right places when relocating | | | | these are minor things when you consider the bigger |
| Pit Bulls is concerned. These organizations accept Pit | | | | picture of giving a homeless dog a home. |