By Amanda St. John
The Saving of
Los Angelino’s dog of choice, the Pit Bull.
Most
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.
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 an inescapable dog ID’ and micro-chipping
campaign," says the MuttShack organization.
Shelter dogs are in a life and death competition with Breeders and
Pet Stores for potential homes. Shelter dogs need a LifeLine to get
their profiles out there. Pounds are filled with purebreds and
gorgeous pit mixes, puppies and trained older dogs.
To promote the adoption of at risk pit bulls from Los Angeles Animal
Services, MuttShack has put together a slide show that may easily be
forwarded to friends by e-mail. It is a grassroots effort and the
Pound Pit Bulls' only hope in this competitive pet market.
A viewer 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.
MuttShack's Lifeline for LA Pit bulls can be found at
LIFELINE
MuttShacks asks "Please copy the LifeLine link and forward it to
your friends, looking to adopt, or bail one out of the shelter. If
you know someone who has a pit bull, or mix, forward the link so
that they can get free sterilization and microchipping information!"
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.)
> The Pasadena
Humane Society, are offering spay and neuter through their SNiP
program. (Telephone 626-792-7151 x106 or )
Most dogs forever loose the families they love, because they lack a
cheap six-dollar ID tag. A simple ID tag on every dog could save
hundreds of dogs' lives. However, since collars can get pulled off
during a rescue attempt, the soundest identification is a microchip.
When a dog is micro-chipped and registered to a family, it reduces
his chances of being lost. Most shelters and Vets provide
micro-chipping services.
Microchipping also protects dogs from "bad guys". When owners are
identifiable on a database, the dog is secure against being abused
or used in pit bull fighting.
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 Los Angelinos to print up copies of the poster,
and to put them up at Pet Stores, Vets Offices, and animal related
facilities, local office bulletin boards and coffee shops. Think it
is a waste of time? - Consider this: Every poster put up and broadly
circulated so far has resulted in an adoption!
When
you find your dog at LAAS, adoption is easy. There is no need for a
home-check. 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. The Microchip is the new dog's security
blanket. It will keep track of the owners if he ever turns up at the
pound.
Pit Bull in Training
at Los Angeles Animal Services.
There is a fee of course, but it is a fraction of what a pet store
or breeder charges, and essentially covers the medical bills.
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!
About MuttShack:
MuttShack Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit charity, 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 that are in danger of
being put to sleep
HERE. Join us in preventing animals from entering shelters
that kill.
Support MuttShack Animal Rescue come to our secure site to
DONATE.
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