•The pit bull (over)population problem
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Where to Get a Pit Bull
Love pit bulls? Want to save them? Do not buy a pit bull.
The pit bull is the most over-populated breed-type in the U.S. They are available for sale everywhere - in the newspaper, on the side of the road, and on the Internet. Breeders turn out puppy after puppy by the truckload. At the same time, fewer and fewer quality households are interested in obtaining a pit bull due to the breed-type's undeserved bad reputation. Additionally, because of the risk of dog aggression, many pit bulls need to be an only dog. These factors severely limit the number of households a pit bull can go to.
You can read more about the overpopulation problem here.
THE #1 BEST WAY TO SAVE PIT BULLS IS ADOPTION.
Quality shelters and rescue groups are not hard to come by, and they are always eager to help you pick the best dog or puppy for your household.
Reasons to adopt:
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You are saving a dog's life.
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The low adoption fee usually includes spaying/neutering, shots and health check, and temperament test. It's a bargain!
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You are saving a dog's life.
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Reputable shelters and rescue groups will not make available any dog with severe temperament problems. They will inform you of any issues you need to be aware of in order to make the best possible decision for your household.
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You are saving a dog's life.
There is NO difference between the dogs available for adoption at a shelter and the average breeder's dogs. Most of the dogs in shelters come from breeders in the first place! The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 25% of all dogs in shelters are purebred.
Sometimes I hear the excuse, "I'd rather buy a puppy from a breeder so I can see the parents. That way I'll know what the puppy is going to be like when he's older." Sorry, but there aren't any guarantees like that! Genetics is a tricky beast and there are always variations. Two very nice parents can still produce a "dud". If you're concerned about what the dog is going to be like when it's older, I highly recommend adopting an adult (over two years of age) dog.
Before you go out and get a pit bull, make sure the breed is right for you. You should never get a dog if you are not prepared to keep it for the rest of its life! Dogs require more than food, water, and shelter. They bond very strongly with their family. They need to be loved, socialized, trained, and given quality veterinary care. They may have unforeseen behavioral or medical problems. They are expensive and time consuming. But most of all - they are a "for better or worse" long term commitment.
Long list of pit bull rescues
Nothing for your state? Try your local animal shelter or Petfinder
National/Regional
Pit Bull Rescue Central
Pit Bull Rescue and Adoption (search engine)
Ethical Bull Breed Rescue and Referral
Midwest Rescue (Midwest) - I need an updated link, if this rescue still exists
Alabama
Turtle Moon Rescue (Lineville)
Alaska
Arizona
Adopt-A-Bull (Tucson)
Valley of the Sun Dog Rescue
California
BADRAP (San Francisco)
Chako Rescue Association
It's The Pits K-9 Rescue (San Diego)
K9 Rescue Ltd (Woodlake)
Paw Printz Pit Bull Rescue (Modesto)
Pit Bull Rescue San Diego (San Diego)
Reunion Rescue (San Francisco)
Villalobos Rescue Center (Canyon Country)
Colorado
Mariah's Promise (Divide) - while not breed-specific, they have taken in a lot of pits due to the reinstatement of Denver's ban
Connecticut
Connecticut Pit Bull Rescue (Plainville)
Florida
Pit Bull Rescue of South Florida
Mike's Dog House (Palatka)
Georgia
Pit Prints Rescue and Rehabilitation (Atlanta)
Idaho
Illinois
A&S Rescue
Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue
Indiana
Casa del Toro Pit Bull Rescue
Halfway House Pit Bull Rescue
Kansas
Kentucky
Kentucky Pit Bull Rescue - I need a new link if this rescue still exists
Louisiana
American Pit Bull Terrier Rescue (Baton Rouge)
Maryland
Ethical Bull Breed Rescue and Referral, Inc.
Massachusetts
PittieLove Rescue (Framingham)
Braveheart Pit Bull Rescue (Lakeville)
German Shepherd and American Staffordshire Protection League
Staffordshire Farm Rescue - I need a new link if this rescue still exists
Michigan
The Buster Foundation
Hug-A-Bull Rescue - I need a new link if this rescue still exists
The Last Resort
Michigan Pit Bull Rescue (Ypsilanti)
A Better Place (not breed-specific, but they have lots of pits and are pit bull advocates and educators)
Minnesota
A Rotta Love (pits and Rotties)
Sanctuary Plus
Missouri
Broken Hearts, Mended Souls
Missouri Pit Bull Rescue
Nevada
Blade's Safe Haven Pit Bull Rescue - I need a new link if this rescue still exists
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Animal Farm Foundation, Inc
Educateabull (West Seneca) - I need a new link if this rescue still exists
Finger Lakes American Bulldog Haven (Romulus)
Out of the Pits (Albany)
North Carolina
American Pit Bull Terrier Rescue and Referral (Linwood)
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Pawsitively Pit Bulls of Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach) - I need a new link if this rescue still exists
Low Country Pit Bull Rescue (Charleston)
South Dakota
Pit Rescue of the Great Plains (Sioux Falls)
Tennessee
Bless the Bullys: Pit Bull and AmStaff Haven
Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue
Texas
Spindletop American Pit Bull & Staffordshire Terrier Rescue (Houston)
Spindletop Refuge / Pit Girls (Austin)
Virginia
Washington
BullsEye Dog Rescue (Seattle)
Pit Bull Project (Seattle)
Recycle-A-Bull Rescue (Snohomish)
Wisconsin
Eastern Wisconsin Independent Pit Bull Rescue
NOTE: Links on this page are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute an endorsement. Always check out a shelter or rescue group thoroughly, ask them plenty of questions, get references, request credentials, etc. Do your homework!
List of pit bull-specific rescue groups.
No puppy should ever leave its litter before eight weeks of age!
I have received far too many emails from people who have purchased their puppy from a breeder at the tender age of six weeks. Not only can this lead to serious behavior problems (esp. excessive mouthiness, aggression), but it is also a testament to the ignorance and irresponsibility of the breeder.
There are over 7,000 adoptable pit bulls waiting for a new home on Petfinder. Most of these dogs will die unless they find a home quickly.
STOP! Are you sure a pit bull is right for you?
Copyright 2000-2007 by Jennifer
Thomas. Please read the disclaimer.
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