Marty
06-22-2005, 09:22 PM
Chula Vista, CA -- Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles Animal Services shelters are "Pit Bulls". American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull are various names used to describe the breed and any mix thereof.
Whatever name they go by, they refer to a breed that has been labeled ounce-for-ounce, the strongest dog in dogdom. These dogs have very adoptable traits like a good disposition, stability, and superior physical attributes but often these very characteristics are presented to provide justification for fighting them.
Owning a "Pit Bull" gives their guardians a badge of bravado. These dogs are considered to be "macho" and therefore many owners don’t want to neuter and spay them resulting in many unplanned and accidental litters. Consequently, they are also the leading breed and breed mix in Los Angeles shelters.
According to the Villalobos Pit Bull Rescue, the fallout is devastating. According to them the pit bull population in the combined twelve shelters (six city shelters and six county shelters in Los Angeles) has now risen to 40% of all the dogs in shelters.
They say "Approximately 10 pit bulls are brought in each day to each shelter. That’s 120 pit bulls a day. Most are strays, tossed out like dirty laundry." They calculate, "At the end of a week the total comes to 840 pit bulls. Then, according to Animal Control records, only about 2 pit bulls a week get adopted. That means 838 pit bulls a week, die in local shelters." [Villabos Pit Bull Rescue: http://www.vrcpitbull.com.]
Amanda St. John, Founder of the MuttShack Animal Foster and Rescue Foundation, is dedicated to change this tragic statistic. "We need massive adoptions from shelters, a very aggressive spay and neuter program, and a dog ID’ and micro-chipping campaign," she says.
Shelter dogs are in competition with Breeders and Pet Stores for potential homes. Shelter dogs need a LifeLine to get their photos out there. The Pounds have purebreds and gorgeous pit mixes, puppies and trained dogs. [See: http://www.photochains.com/view/Mut...e_LA_Pit_Bulls]
Most dogs loose their families because they have no ID. When a dog is micro-chipped and registered to a family, it reduces his chances of being lost or abused in pit bull fighting. Shelters and Vets provide micro-chipping services. [To find a vet near you go to: http://www.homeagainid.com/Health/Search/FindVet.cfm]
Several organizations have come forward to offer FREE spay and neuter of any domesticated Pit Bull or pit-mix.
> In Los Angeles, Actors and Others For Animals have declared their mission to curb the problem by offering free Pit Bull spay/neuter surgeries. (Telephone 818-755-6045, or 818-755-6323, or http://www.actorsandothers.com.)
> The Pasadena Humane Society, are offering spay and neuter through their SNiP program. (Telephone 626-792-7151 x106 or http://www.phsspca.org/SNiP/index.htm)
The Pasadena Humane Society also offer free Microchipping to any pets in the SniP program and free microchipping to Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes who reside in Pasadena, South Pasadena, La Canada, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Arcadia or Altadena.
To promote the adoption of at risk pit bulls from Los Angeles Animal Services, MuttShack has put together a slide show that can easily be forwarded to friends by e-mail. It is a grassroots campaign and the Pitt’s only hope in this competitive pet market.
It is a really attractive show! While viewing, you can pause the slideshow at any time, read information about the particular dog and find out where to visit him. The link is updated daily with new dogs, and fresh information.
"I urge everyone to download the LifeLine link and forward it to their friends. A grassroots campaign is our only way to get through to people looking to adopt, sterilize or microchip," said Ms. St. John. The pictures are adorable and there is a lot of fun "Bull" facts!
[See: http://www.photochains.com/view/Mut...e_LA_Pit_Bulls]
Spay and neuter posters in Spanish and in English can also be printed from the website at http:/www.muttshack.org/freespay.html.
MuttShack is asking volunteers to print up these posters, and place them in Pet Stores, Vets Offices, Pet Grooming and Animal Services facilities, and on local bulletin boards and coffeeshops. Think it is a waste of time? - consider this: every poster put up and broadly circulated so far has resulted in an adoption!
To adopt a LAAS Pit Bull, there is no need for a home-check, but according to Heidi Heubner, the LAAS Volunteer Coordinator, all the applicant’s information is collected and processed. Then the pet gets micro-chipped and sterilized before going to his new home.
There is a fee of course, but it is a fracion of what a pet store or breeder charges, and essentially covers the medical bills.
The Micro-chip is the new dog’s security blanket, as it will keep track of the owners if he ever turns up at the shelter or at a dogfight. There are even training programs to teach handling of dogs, including pit bulls. See http://www.muttshack.org/images/muttshack_LAAS.jpeg.
According to Pia Salk of 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com, adopting an adult Pit Bull is an instant friend for life. "Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog, and they’ll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to a dog that needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life! No matter what circumstances brought them to the shelter or rescue group, most dogs for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. But first you have to adopt one!" she says.
MuttShack sees abandoned dogs daily. A recent E-mail sent on behalf of the Linda Blair World Heart Foundation read. "Attached you will find a picture of Peetie. Peetie is a 9-month-old pit/boxer/dalmation mix that was rescued by Linda Blair. He had been used as "bait" in Pit bull fights. His ears had been cut half way off. You would think that this would make Peetie an unapproachable dog and aggressive. However it is quite the opposite. He is friendly, playful, trusting and loves to be petted even on the ears. He has all his shots and has been neutered, is house trained and is the best little boy!!! He loves dogs and people. He wants to be loved and he gives love. (He is not great around cats however.) We really need someone to foster him until he finds his new incredible family." Looking at his picture was just a validation of everything they said! Peetie’s photo at http://www.muttshack.org/images/peetie.jpeg.
About Muttshack:
Muttshack Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit, a project of the National Heritage Foundation, established in 1968. MuttShack Foster and Animal Rescue promotes the education and creation of foster homes for abandoned and abused animals.
Muttshackers rescue animals from shelters, and from the streets, rehabilitate and nurture them to health in homes (MuttShacks) and find them quality, permanent new families.
By intervening and rescuing shelter animals about to be put to sleep, MuttShack fostering stops the senseless killing of healthy animals in overcrowded shelters.
Donations Saves Lives. Visit animals online who are in danger of being put to sleep at http://www.muttshack.org. Join us in preventing animals from entering shelters that kill.
Support Muttshack Animal Rescue at our secure site https://www.registrationfactory.com...ntUUID=B47421FD.
Whatever name they go by, they refer to a breed that has been labeled ounce-for-ounce, the strongest dog in dogdom. These dogs have very adoptable traits like a good disposition, stability, and superior physical attributes but often these very characteristics are presented to provide justification for fighting them.
Owning a "Pit Bull" gives their guardians a badge of bravado. These dogs are considered to be "macho" and therefore many owners don’t want to neuter and spay them resulting in many unplanned and accidental litters. Consequently, they are also the leading breed and breed mix in Los Angeles shelters.
According to the Villalobos Pit Bull Rescue, the fallout is devastating. According to them the pit bull population in the combined twelve shelters (six city shelters and six county shelters in Los Angeles) has now risen to 40% of all the dogs in shelters.
They say "Approximately 10 pit bulls are brought in each day to each shelter. That’s 120 pit bulls a day. Most are strays, tossed out like dirty laundry." They calculate, "At the end of a week the total comes to 840 pit bulls. Then, according to Animal Control records, only about 2 pit bulls a week get adopted. That means 838 pit bulls a week, die in local shelters." [Villabos Pit Bull Rescue: http://www.vrcpitbull.com.]
Amanda St. John, Founder of the MuttShack Animal Foster and Rescue Foundation, is dedicated to change this tragic statistic. "We need massive adoptions from shelters, a very aggressive spay and neuter program, and a dog ID’ and micro-chipping campaign," she says.
Shelter dogs are in competition with Breeders and Pet Stores for potential homes. Shelter dogs need a LifeLine to get their photos out there. The Pounds have purebreds and gorgeous pit mixes, puppies and trained dogs. [See: http://www.photochains.com/view/Mut...e_LA_Pit_Bulls]
Most dogs loose their families because they have no ID. When a dog is micro-chipped and registered to a family, it reduces his chances of being lost or abused in pit bull fighting. Shelters and Vets provide micro-chipping services. [To find a vet near you go to: http://www.homeagainid.com/Health/Search/FindVet.cfm]
Several organizations have come forward to offer FREE spay and neuter of any domesticated Pit Bull or pit-mix.
> In Los Angeles, Actors and Others For Animals have declared their mission to curb the problem by offering free Pit Bull spay/neuter surgeries. (Telephone 818-755-6045, or 818-755-6323, or http://www.actorsandothers.com.)
> The Pasadena Humane Society, are offering spay and neuter through their SNiP program. (Telephone 626-792-7151 x106 or http://www.phsspca.org/SNiP/index.htm)
The Pasadena Humane Society also offer free Microchipping to any pets in the SniP program and free microchipping to Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes who reside in Pasadena, South Pasadena, La Canada, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Arcadia or Altadena.
To promote the adoption of at risk pit bulls from Los Angeles Animal Services, MuttShack has put together a slide show that can easily be forwarded to friends by e-mail. It is a grassroots campaign and the Pitt’s only hope in this competitive pet market.
It is a really attractive show! While viewing, you can pause the slideshow at any time, read information about the particular dog and find out where to visit him. The link is updated daily with new dogs, and fresh information.
"I urge everyone to download the LifeLine link and forward it to their friends. A grassroots campaign is our only way to get through to people looking to adopt, sterilize or microchip," said Ms. St. John. The pictures are adorable and there is a lot of fun "Bull" facts!
[See: http://www.photochains.com/view/Mut...e_LA_Pit_Bulls]
Spay and neuter posters in Spanish and in English can also be printed from the website at http:/www.muttshack.org/freespay.html.
MuttShack is asking volunteers to print up these posters, and place them in Pet Stores, Vets Offices, Pet Grooming and Animal Services facilities, and on local bulletin boards and coffeeshops. Think it is a waste of time? - consider this: every poster put up and broadly circulated so far has resulted in an adoption!
To adopt a LAAS Pit Bull, there is no need for a home-check, but according to Heidi Heubner, the LAAS Volunteer Coordinator, all the applicant’s information is collected and processed. Then the pet gets micro-chipped and sterilized before going to his new home.
There is a fee of course, but it is a fracion of what a pet store or breeder charges, and essentially covers the medical bills.
The Micro-chip is the new dog’s security blanket, as it will keep track of the owners if he ever turns up at the shelter or at a dogfight. There are even training programs to teach handling of dogs, including pit bulls. See http://www.muttshack.org/images/muttshack_LAAS.jpeg.
According to Pia Salk of 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com, adopting an adult Pit Bull is an instant friend for life. "Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog, and they’ll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to a dog that needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life! No matter what circumstances brought them to the shelter or rescue group, most dogs for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. But first you have to adopt one!" she says.
MuttShack sees abandoned dogs daily. A recent E-mail sent on behalf of the Linda Blair World Heart Foundation read. "Attached you will find a picture of Peetie. Peetie is a 9-month-old pit/boxer/dalmation mix that was rescued by Linda Blair. He had been used as "bait" in Pit bull fights. His ears had been cut half way off. You would think that this would make Peetie an unapproachable dog and aggressive. However it is quite the opposite. He is friendly, playful, trusting and loves to be petted even on the ears. He has all his shots and has been neutered, is house trained and is the best little boy!!! He loves dogs and people. He wants to be loved and he gives love. (He is not great around cats however.) We really need someone to foster him until he finds his new incredible family." Looking at his picture was just a validation of everything they said! Peetie’s photo at http://www.muttshack.org/images/peetie.jpeg.
About Muttshack:
Muttshack Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit, a project of the National Heritage Foundation, established in 1968. MuttShack Foster and Animal Rescue promotes the education and creation of foster homes for abandoned and abused animals.
Muttshackers rescue animals from shelters, and from the streets, rehabilitate and nurture them to health in homes (MuttShacks) and find them quality, permanent new families.
By intervening and rescuing shelter animals about to be put to sleep, MuttShack fostering stops the senseless killing of healthy animals in overcrowded shelters.
Donations Saves Lives. Visit animals online who are in danger of being put to sleep at http://www.muttshack.org. Join us in preventing animals from entering shelters that kill.
Support Muttshack Animal Rescue at our secure site https://www.registrationfactory.com...ntUUID=B47421FD.