Monday, December 28, 2009

Ed Block Courage Award??

As a huge fan of Pit Bull Rescue Central and a life long American Pit Bull Terrier owner, please inform all of your followers about Mike Vick receiving the Ed Block Courage Award and implore them to begin a letter writing campaign to express how distasteful and disgusting it is that Mike Vick could receive an award for courage and be compared to athletes like Dawan Landry (who came back from being almost paralyzed to play football once again).

It is an insult to the other 31 players who won this award and it is a slap in the face to the fans and dog owners (especially pit bull owners) everywhere.


Ed Block Courage Award Board Contacts:
http://www.edblock.org/content/contact-us

Article where I got the info from:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Eagles-players-honor-Michael-Vick-with-award-for?urn=nfl,210601 Thank You, Ramon in FL

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Congratulations Kibble Challenge Winners!

Actual number of kibble: 2261

  • 1st Place: Stephanie L. in Shell Lake, WI, guessed 2351
  • 2nd Place: Maureen M. in Almeda, CA, guessed 2591
  • 3rd Place: Karen M. in Manchester, CT, guessed 2640
Thanks to all who participated!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Gunny Wins Hearts and Contests

Congratulations to Gunny and Amy for winning
the Natural Balance World's Most Amazing Dog Contest.


We all know Pit Bulls are amazing,
hopefully now more people will know!



Sunday, December 13, 2009

NEW FROM ARTIST CHRISTINE J HEAD...

2009 Bully Reserve Vineyards

Critical acclaim: Silver hue with a velvety texture.
Gentle, elegant finish with expressive smoky oak.
Showcases purity, balance, and structure.
This special reserve, lay in wait, for your consideration.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol 14.5% by Vol. California

Measures 24" x 36" with white border - Limited to 1000
Each poster is hand signed and numbered by the artist

ONE DAY ONLY SPECIAL!
Price: $85.50 includes shipping
(limited to US orders only)




Monday, December 7, 2009

The Great Kibble Challenge!

Do you have uncanny powers of deduction? Are you extraordinarily lucky? Does your dog eat a lot of kibble? Then this contest is for you!
http://www.pbrc.net/misc/kibblechallenge.html

Pit Bull Rescue Central, whose clever volunteers have brought you the ever popular Howl-o-ween costume contest, the Pittie the Fool contest, Poppymart and so many other fun and exciting ventures, have conspired once again to bring you yet another opportunity to show your support for those dogs we love while participating in a game of luck and skill!

The Challenge:
Guess the amount of Kibble contained in the pictured canister.


The Reward:
The honor, the glory and a really cool selection of priz
es!
  • First Prize - a Sapphire Blue Acer® Aspire One Netbook Computer With Intel® Atom™ Processor N270 (valued at $329.99)
  • Second Prize - One Holiday Snowflake Poppy T-shirt (size L) and one box of Blue Dog Bakery Treats
  • Third Prize - Two boxes of Blue Dog Bakery Treats
The Odds: Each entry will have a 1 in 200 chance to be the winning number! The winner is the submitted number that comes closest to the actual number of kibble pieces in the container.

The Cost:
$10 per entry. You may enter more than once but, each entry must be separately submitted through Pay Pal.


Act quickly, contest entries limited to 200! Good luck and happy guessing!
Contest ends December 13!

As always, all the proceeds from this contest will go directly to support PBRC’s vision: Pit Bull Rescue Central envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.

Official rules and regulations posted here: http://www.pbrc.net/misc/kibblechallenge.html.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Cyber Monday! Gift Ideas for Holiday Shopping - Support PBRC!

Do you want to make a difference this holiday season? Would you like to give your friends and family beautiful, unique handcrafted gifts? Well, you can do all of this and more by participating in our new fundraiser with NOVICA. Not only will your purchase help pit bulls, but you will also support artists and artisans around the world. By partnering with NOVICA, a fair trade company, we have the opportunity to impact lives across the globe by purchasing handcrafted treasures directly from the artists and artisans who make them. In return NOVICA will donate 30% of all items purchased through our Gift Collection and 10% from any of the thousands of other items throughout their site to Pit Bull Rescue Central.

This fundraiser will o
nly run for a limited time - from now through Sunday, January 3, 2010.

We encourage you to click the Novica image below to start shopping and make a difference:

For purely pit bull related gift ideas, visit our CafePress PBRC Store! From coffee mugs to BBQ aprons to kids' t-shirts... as well as holiday ornaments and cards, there's a pit bull related design and gift idea for every dog lover on your gift list.
Also, remember PBRC's 2010 Happy Endings Calendar is now on sale! It's a 12-month calendar brimming with pictures of beautiful rescued pitbulls of all shapes, sizes, and colors! You can order your copy of the 2010 calendar by clicking on the link just above or the image below: All of the proceeds from the sale of the calendars (and any products from CafePress) are used to help pitbulls in need. Please don't miss out on this great opportunity to fill your 2010 with beautiful rescued dogs while helping pitbulls still waiting for their happy endings at the same time!

Thanks for your continued support,

~The Volunteers of PBRC


P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

SPECIAL ONE-DAY-ONLY OFFER!

Christine J. Head’s limited edition, highly stylized vintage/Art Nouveau-style prints and posters have helped numerous rescues raise much needed funds. Notable animal lovers and celebrities who collect her work include actresses Jorja Fox and Mary Steenburgen, and Comedienne Elayne Boosler.

Now, you can BUY ONE, GET ONE 1/2 PRICE through midnight Monday 11/30!


Available breeds include Boxer, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Pug, Greyhound, Pit Bull and introducing...Cat & Kitten Rescue.

For details and to view available prints, please visit: http://www.pbrc.net/shop/posters_cjh.html


PBRC receives 50% of proceeds. Order now to insure holiday delivery.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Thank you!

Yesterday was a day for everyone to spend time with their loved ones and give thanks. For many of the dogs from nation's largest multi-state federal dog fighting raid in history there's a lot to be thankful for. They will no longer be forced to live their lives out on heavy chains, they will not need to fight for their lives, produce puppies for someone's personal gain or live in pain, with untreated wounds. For the first time in their lives they are being shown the compassion every living creature deserves.

So it seems fitting that today, PBRC was able to make a donation to Mutts-N-Stuff, through the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund to assist with the cost of Fay’s first surgery. Fay arrived at the St. Louis temporary shelter missing her lips, most likely torn off in a dog fight. Seeing Fay for the first time was tough, she is the true face of dog fighting and living proof that our society has a long way to go. The hardest part of meeting Fay was how sweet she was. Seeing a dog who’s face has been mutilated for someone’s personal gain wiggling around in her crate, sticking her tongue out to try to lick your hand. It’s enough to make your heart break in two.

Fay has been under the care of her veterinarian, recovering at the clinic so they can keep an eye on her skin grafts and stitches but today she is in the loving care of her rescuer, Gale, for the holidays. This is the start of a new life for her and for so many others and we’re thankful to every person involved in helping the victims of dog fighting.

We are also thankful to our supportive donors who made the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund
possible. It has been a true gift to have the opportunity to support the rescues who have come forward to help these dogs. We hope there comes a day soon, when we can sit down and be thankful that dog fighting is a thing of the past.

(Fay's mouth has been bandaged to prevent her from opening her mouth too wide and tearing her stitches.)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Limited Edition St. Louis Second Chance Fund T-Shirt!

Meet Shark Boy and Lava Girl. They are two of the many faces of dog fighting. They were seized along with Junior and hundreds of other dogs in the nation's largest multi-state federal dog fighting raid in history. Shark Boy and Lava Girl are some of the lucky ones who get a second chance. Several organizations, including PBRC, have assisted the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) in caring for these dogs in a temporary emergency shelter.

Now that some of the dogs have been released by the courts, the time has finally come for them to be placed with rescue groups for further evaluation and adoption. As you know, Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC) has established the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund.

This fund will help the approved organizations and individuals with some of the financial costs related to the rehoming of these dogs. Rehoming any dog at any time can be a costly matter. Many of these dogs may require treatment for various medical conditions. PBRC wants to help these dogs get their second chance.

We need your support. Please help us help all the "Shark Boys" and "Lava Girls" get their second chance, too. PBRC has created a special edition PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund T-shirt that is now available. Proceeds from this t-shirt will go to the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund.

To order a t-shirt visit:
http://www.pbrc.net/scf.html

Organizations seeking financial aid related to the care of these dogs can complete an application here:
http://www.pbrc.us/fcapps/StLouisfund.html

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

New Beginnings

For many of the Missouri dogs going to foster or adoptive homes the future is about new beginnings. For the first time in their lives they can be a cherished member of someone's family and have a warm safe place to sleep at night.

Over time, they will adapt to their new lives but for now there are many firsts to be experienced. Having the opportunity to watch a dog make the transformation from living on a chain to having a real life can be rewarding but it’s heartbreaking as well. With every new experience comes the realization that they have never had the opportunity, until now, to experience it.



Playing with a toy, walking up a flight of stairs, going for a walk on a leash, living inside (and going to the bathroom outside) these are all new things to these dogs. They are incredible animals and they learn but it’s the hard work of the caring people that take them in that allows them to learn all of experience all these new things.

It takes patience to teach a dog that the table is not a look out and isn’t for standing on, that if they sit still the collar will go on faster and they can get outside and that they have the rest of their lives to give love and be thankful--they don’t need to do it all at once.

Thank you to every person that opened your home and hearts to these dogs who desperately needed a second chance. To the groups and individuals who drove long hours to get them to their foster homes and to the Humane Society of Missouri who made this all possible.

It takes a village.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Vintage Style Posters by Christine J. Head

Introducing...

2009 Orange Kittini
Cheers to Kitty Rescue

  • Limited to 1000
  • Posters measure 24"x36"
  • ALL posters have a 1" white border.
  • Each poster is hand signed and numbered by the artist!

Price: $95 + shipping
Comes rolled in tube.
50% of proceeds go to PBRC!

Click here to order online!

To order by mail, send check or money order to:

Pit Bull Rescue Central
PO Box 335
Fulton, MO 65251

Include a note identifying which poster(s) you're ordering and what quantity. Posters are USD $95 each. Add $5 shipping per poster for U.S. orders; $11 shipping per poster for Canadian orders; $20 shipping per poster for all other international orders.

Note that mail orders can take several weeks as checks need to clear first. For faster service, we recommend using the credit card option.

More Christine Head posters available. Click here!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Gift Ideas for Holiday Shopping - Support PBRC!

Do you want to make a difference this holiday season? Would you like to give your friends and family beautiful, unique handcrafted gifts? Well, you can do all of this and more by participating in our new fundraiser with NOVICA. Not only will your purchase help pit bulls, but you will also support artists and artisans around the world. By partnering with NOVICA, a fair trade company, we have the opportunity to impact lives across the globe by purchasing handcrafted treasures directly from the artists and artisans who make them. In return NOVICA will donate 30% of all items purchased through our Gift Collection and 10% from any of the thousands of other items throughout their site to Pit Bull Rescue Central.

This fundraiser will o
nly run for a limited time - from Wednesday, November 25, 2009 through Sunday, January 3, 2010.

We encourage you to click the Novica image below to start shopping and make a difference:

For purely pit bull related gift ideas, visit our CafePress PBRC Store! From coffee mugs to BBQ aprons to kids' t-shirts... as well as holiday ornaments and cards, there's a pit bull related design and gift idea for every dog lover on your gift list.
Also, remember PBRC's 2010 Happy Endings Calendar is now on sale! It's a 12-month calendar brimming with pictures of beautiful rescued pitbulls of all shapes, sizes, and colors! You can order your copy of the 2010 calendar by clicking on the link just above or the image below: All of the proceeds from the sale of the calendars (and any products from CafePress) are used to help pitbulls in need. Please don't miss out on this great opportunity to fill your 2010 with beautiful rescued dogs while helping pitbulls still waiting for their happy endings at the same time!

Thanks for your continued support,

~The Volunteers of PBRC


P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pauline's Road to Recovery

When Kelly first saw Pauline in the distance while out walking her dogs, she wasn't sure it was a dog she was seeing. Pauline was malnourished, hairless, had a heavy chain attached to her neck and was barely moving. Kelly brought her dogs home and returned to give Pauline some food and water and then brought her to the vet.

The plan was to locate a responsible rescue to take Pauline once she was healthy. The problem was, all the rescues in and around Kelly's area were either full or did not rescue pitbulls. Kelly was committed to finding Pauline the best possible home since she'd had such a rough start. It was clear from the beginning that Kelly was attached to Pauline, so as many foster stories go, Pauline has found her forever home..with Kelly.

She has made a full recovery and is doing great. Pauline inspired Kelly to help more pitbulls in need and has been happy to share her new home with the rescue dogs who have co
me to stay for a while. Pauline may not have had the best beginning but that's one of the amazing things about dogs, they don't live in the past-they live in the present.

And right now things are pretty darn good:
Thank you Kelly!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Almost Every Weekend...

Almost every weekend a group of 6 Pit Bulls and their owners gather at the Western Pa Humane Society.

These responsible owners and their dogs attend the Bully Ambassador Class. This 7 week long program is designed to help strengthen the bond between owners and their dogs, keep Pit Bulls out of the shelter system due to behavior problems, teach the dogs obedience work using positive training methods and help to change the negative perceptions about Pit Bulls from the general public and media.


The classes are filled quickly showing how dedicated Pit Bull owners can be. Dogs in the class learn new things such as looking at other dogs and then checking back in with their owners. They also fine tune old skills, like loose leash walking, sit, down, stay, etc.

No choke or prong collars are allowed in class. Owners may use training tools such as no pull harnesses and gentle leaders. Many owners simply use flat buckle collars or martingale collars.


The class was developed a year ago and has continued on, due to such a high rate of enrollment. Upon graduation, each dog and owner receive a diploma stating that their dog is a breed ambassador.


~Amy D

Monday, November 9, 2009

One Volunteer's Favorite Part

Being a volunteer for a pit bull rescue organization can be tough. There are days when you feel discouraged, frustrated or helpless. You remind yourself "you can't help them all" and you try to look to the positive. Then when you see the positive you realize how lucky you are to be a part of something so special. Without question my favorite part of volunteering for PBRC is the updates. It reminds us all just how important the small difference we make can mean to one person, or one dog. Thanks for reminding us Kelly:
I wanted to give you an update on Zeus, a pit that PBRC sponsored. He never found a new adoptive home, but we did end up keeping him. He weighed 34 pounds when we found him last November, and he weighed 97 healthy pounds last week at the vet. He is a massive dog. He is heartworm free, and lives peacefully with his 2 new sisters. We just got back from a Dallas vacation with all 3 dogs. He had a blast. Here are a couple of pictures of him at the lake and one of him at their birthday party on October 4th. We decided that his birthday would be the same day as his sister's. Thank you so much for saving this guy, he's doing great, and has a great personality.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Update on Kiva, one of the Missouri 500

Kiva has been in her new home for about three weeks now. It has truly been a learning experience for both of us. She has so many ‘firsts’ I can’t even count them. Her first time in a house, first soft pillow to sleep on, first couch to sleep on, first snuggle with a person, first kitty friends, first dog friends, first yard to run in with no chains, first bath, first toys and the experiences go on and on.

For me it’s been a learning experience to see that absolutely everything is new to her! Simple things such as opening doors or cabinets in the house leave her in awe. Opening the dishwasher door really freaked her out and forget the washer and dryer!

Her resilience is a constant surprise to me as well. She bears a few scars on her jaw,
chest, shoulders and front legs that suggest that she’s been in at least one fight before she started pumping out the puppies, yet when she plays with my dogs she has such a gentle mouth and great bite inhibition. She loves to wrestle and play rough as most pit bulls do, but she never gets too aroused and will stop the moment the boys do or I call them for a break.

Lots of things still startle her, but she recovers very quickly and is always curious to check things out; a true testament to a solid pit bull temperament.

She’s started clicker training w
ith me, another first, and is catching on quickly. Whoever gets to be her forever home is going to get one heck of a good girl!

~ Amanda C.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Kolby’s Progress- An update on one of the Missouri 500

Kolby is beginning to adjust to his new world. It has been about 2 weeks since Hello Bully brought him back to Pittsburgh after volunteering with the Missouri dogs.

To a dog that had probably never lived inside of a home, there are many new things to experience. Kolby is learning crucial information such as: ceiling fans are not the devil, couches are not chew toys, and computer desks are not meant to be jumped upon and used as look out areas (even if they are close to the window!)

One of the wonderful things about watching Kolby come out of his shell is his curiosity about EVERYTHING! He is fascinated while on walks by little things, such as a bag of garbage. Allowing him to sniff and check things out proves to him that the world is not such a scary place after all!

Kolby is having a blast playing with toys and exercising. He loves to play with balls. He definitely is still getting the hang of the whole physical coordination thing.

Kolby also has some learning to do regarding “doggie etiquette”! He is learning that even though dogs communicate with their mouths, it is not how to get attention from us humans. Even though Kolby has a lot to learn, he has come very far in such a short period of time.

~ AmyD, Hello Bully

Thursday, October 29, 2009

IT'S TIME TO VOTE! 4th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest!

Ghosts and goblins gather 'round, The spookiest bully will soon be found.
Enter the costume contest and you may be crowned...
PBRC's 2009 Howl-o-ween Hound!

Over 100 festooned fidos await your vote. To see all entrants and make your selection, visit the Halloween Hound Gallery.
Click on the arrow to start the slideshow.

Send the corresponding number of your favorite photo to
pbrccontest@pbrc.net


Voting begins on Thursday, October 29th at midnight (EST). NOTE: Votes received prior to that will not be included in the count.
You have until 9pm (EST) on Friday, October 30th to cast your vote. Only 1 vote per person/email address will be accepted.

The three photos with the most votes will be announced and posted on Halloween.
Prize winners will be contacted by email.

Thank you for your participation!
See last year's winners and contestants here.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

From the ASPCA - Halloween Safety Tips

No Scaredy Cats This Halloween: Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents

Halloween Pumpkin
Attention, companion animal caretakers! The ASPCA would like to point out these common-sense cautions that’ll help keep your pets safe and stress-free this time of year. If you do suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy.

  • Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate—and even seizures.

  • Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.

  • Ingesting tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are swallowed.

3. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you

Saturday, October 24, 2009

National Pit Bull Awareness Day!

In celebration of National Pitbull Awareness Day, PBRC has created a special page to share some positive pitbull stories.

Please visit the link below
to meet some of the dogs PBRC has helped over the last year, breed ambassadors that are showing people in their community just how wonderful pitbulls are, some lucky dogs who recently found their forever homes and plenty of great links!

http://www.pbrc.net/npad.html

We're also introducing two special designs created for National Pitbull Awareness Day:


Great for T-shirts, water bottles, bags, mugs and much much more! Help support PBRC buy purchasing your National Pitbull Awareness Day items at our store:

http://www.cafepress.com/pbrcstore/6910133

Thank you for your continued support!

The Volunteer
s of PBRC

P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

PBRC's 4th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest!

On Halloween, it is believed that spirits and ghosts come back to roam the earth. People wear masks and dress up in an outfit to look like one of the spirits. Who can dress up better than a pit bull? In the spirit of goblin fun, we’re thrilled to present PBRC's 4th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest.

Please submit your photos no later than October 28, 2009.

One photo per dog only, please, and don't forget to include your name, your dog's name and your email address. Contest entries limited to pit bull dogs.

Send your ghosts and goblins to pbrccontest@gmail.com

Once all pictures are received they will be put into a gallery Halloween Hound Gallery for all to see and vote on. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners on Halloween!

Good luck and may the best bully costume win!

See last year's winners and contestants here.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Limited Edition St. Louis Second Chance Fund T-Shirt!

Meet Fanny. She is another face of dog fighting. Fanny was seized along with Junior and hundreds of other dogs in the nation's largest multi-state federal dog fighting raid in history. Fanny is one of the lucky ones who gets a second chance. Several organizations, including PBRC, have assisted the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) in caring for these dogs in a temporary emergency shelter.

Now that some of the dogs have been released by the courts, the time has finally come for them to be placed with rescue groups for further evaluation and adoption. As you know, Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC) has established the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund.

This fund will help the approved organizations and individuals with some of the financial costs related to the rehoming of these dogs. Rehoming any dog at any time can be a costly matter. Many of these dogs may require treatment for various medical conditions. PBRC wants to help these dogs get their second chance.

We need your support. Please help us help all the "Fannys" get their second chance, too. PBRC has created a special edition PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund T-shirt that is now available. Proceeds from this t-shirt will go to the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund.

To order a t-shirt visit:
http://www.pbrc.net/scf.html

Organizations seeking financial aid related to the care of these dogs can complete an application here:
http://www.pbrc.us/fcapps/StLouisfund.html

Thursday, October 15, 2009

PBRC Special Request

Please help the victims of dog fighting – today!

Meet Junior. He is the face of dog fighting-- one of the lucky ones, that is. Junior was seized, along with hundreds of other dogs, in the nation's largest multi-state federal dog fighting raid in history. Junior gets a second chance.


Over the last few months, several organizations, including PBRC, have assisted the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) in caring for these dogs in a temporary emergency shelter. Now that some of the dogs have been released by the courts, the time has finally come for them to be placed with rescue groups for further evaluation and adoption. The HSMO has worked diligently to locate responsible, knowledgeable, established animal welfare organizations to help find loving homes for these dogs-- all the "Juniors" who very much deserve a place in someone's heart and home.

To assist in their endeavor, Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC) has established the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund. This fund will help the approved organizations and individuals with some of the financial costs related to the rehoming of these dogs. Rehoming any dog at any time can be a costly matter. Many of these dogs may require treatment for various medical conditions. PBRC wants to help these dogs get their second chance.


For us to do that, we will need your support. Please help us help all the "Juniors" get their second chance, too.


To make a donation please click on the link below:
http://www.pbrc.net/donate.html

When donating please be sure to indicate in the note field that your donation is specifically for the PBRC St. Louis Second Chance Fund.


Organizations seeking financial aid related to the care of these dogs can complete an application here: http://www.pbrc.us/fcapps/fcapplication03.html


Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC, founded in 1996) is an online virtual shelter and educational resource for owners, rescuers, and shelters dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier and pit bull mixes. PBRC works tirelessly to promote spaying and neutering, to educate the public, to present positive pit bull images, and encourage responsible pit bull ownership.


We also provide a free listing directory of adoptable pit bulls, adoption application and review process to help find these great dogs’ responsible permanent homes. For caregivers who don’t have experience with placing pit bulls our application review process is invaluable. We extend our expert knowledge of the bully breeds to assist them in placing the dogs in a safe environment with responsible owners.
P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

So why do you still go back? He is why...

So it has been three months now since the largest dog fighting bust in history happened essentially right in my back yard. More then 450 Pit Bulls have been housed by the Humane Society of Missouri for 90 days. 90 days, can you imagine having to care for 450 Pit Bulls for 90 days ?? Let me tell you, it has been no easy task.

Volunteers and staff have poured their hearts and souls into these dogs giving them what they could, making their time the best with what they have been dealt.
Hundreds of peanut butter filled kongs handed out daily, hundreds of milk bones passed out amongst the crowds and thousands of Pit Bull kisses dealt out to anyone who has time to stop and get em, always a wiggle butt to be seen. Many have a story to tell with their eyes, many just want to know the love that they have forever longed for.

This has been a trial of the heart and body. Day after day you go in and spend as much time as physically possible only to say goodbye to your favorites not knowing what tomorrow will bring, when their fate will finally be decided. Your friends, family and coworkers tell you to take a break, you need to take it easy, but they are forever on our mind. You try and do the best you can while balancing your life but they are always in your thoughts, you can see them even when you are not there, you can see their eyes.

Many tears have been shed, many promises have been made if only our favorite fourleggeds could be allowed to come home. Waiting and more waiting, just waiting to hear something that says our dogs are safe, you can take them home, you can give them the life they SO deserve. You can take them home to decompress and start to heal from everything life has thrown at them... just waiting to hear something.


Finally, something...
Sweet Baby James was released to come home. James has been a favorite from the beginning, a kind old soul that is very deserving of a couch to lay on and someone to love him til the day he dies. Well, he finally has that. James has become Junior as there will only be one James in our lives, but I think my RJ would approve.

This boy is lucky, he has two families fighting to love him, not very many dogs can say that and definitely not many Pit Bulls.


So here he is, JR in all his glory... able to live life as a loved family companion, not a gladiator on the end of a chain.


He is why I kept going, and the many others are why I will continue. Some day this will be over, many tears will be shed and many lives will be changed, but JR's will be for the better.

~ Teal