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What Can I Do?
You’ve seen something that just doesn’t seem right….As a witness of cruelty and/or neglect YOU can be the voice for a dog who cannot speak for themselves. Cruelty and neglect towards animals is often unreported. So what can you do?
While laws vary by state, if you witness the inflicting of physical pain, suffering, emotional abuse, abandonment or death, you can report it. If you witness neglect such as, lack of food, water, adequate shelter or veterinary care, you can report it.
In recent years, a strong connection has been documented linking domestic violence abuse and animal abuse. Animal abuse can often signal a lethal domestic situation and is one of the risk factors authorities use to determine whether a domestic violence situation is high risk. Reporting cruelty to animals may save the animal being abused as well as a human who is at the mercy of the abuser!
Who Do I Contact? 
Many times individuals do not know whom to contact or what constitutes cruelty. While local rescues may be able to provide phone numbers to take action, the rescues themselves typically do not have the authority to confiscate animals from the situation. Contacting local authorities such as humane agents or local law enforcement is the most efficient way to take action. Documenting calls and incidents may also prove to be useful.
The Humane Society of the United States provides more information: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/tips/cruelty_action.html
The ASPCA also provides information:
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/report-animal-cruelty.aspx
Your action CAN make a difference!
On March 5, Core Power Yoga hosted a donation class to benefit Pit Bull Rescue Central. Lead by yogi and PBRC representative, Greta Glimm and prominent yoga instructor, Kristin Marie Breheim, the event raised over $700. Pictured is Harlow, a six month old Pit Bull being fostered by Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue, who greeted participates with love at the CorePower yoga studio front door.Breheim’s mission is Karma yoga; making yoga approachable and accessible to everyone while helping out a great cause, specifically Pit Bulls. Breheim has two Pit Bulls; Ruby, a six year old American Pit Bull Terrier, saved from the South Side of Chicago and Obie, an adopted, two year old Pit Bull, Boxer, Corgi mix. For more information and other donation classes, see Breheim's website kristinmariebliss.netbiz.com. Look for next year's PBRC donation yoga class March, 2011!
All this month, PBRC will be sharing stories that highlight rescue, and advocates for our dogs. Some of these stories will be from PBRC volunteers, other articles will highlight rescues and organizations striving to help animals in need.
The dog was walking down the middle of the Texas highway, head hanging down trying not to get hit by the 18 wheelers that were zooming by...
Of the many people who saw this mama pit bull wandering down this busy highway on this hot July day, one woman decided to stop. She pulled over and called to the dog. But the frightened dog took off in the opposite direction and headed into a creek bed. This special woman was determined to rescue her, so she went into the creek after her. The dog seemed surprised, but it was so hot (Texas in July is HOT) and she was so heavy with pups she didn't have the energy to protest. It just so happens that the rescuer was a volunteer with the Humane Society of North Texas SW Adoption Center, so she headed there with her.
While on her three day stray hold at the shelter, the dog delivered her pups... eleven in all! Although she so wanted to, due the many other foster dogs at her home, the rescuer was not able to take in this girl and her pups. However, she aptly named the dog Little Miss Sunshine. Then this rescuer, as hard as it was, said her goodbyes. LMS and her four surviving pups (sadly the rough start in life took its toll on the young family) began their journey to Massachusetts to find their forever homes.
One of the pups, Brady, was fostered by PBRC volunteer Sarah Roies and her husband. Brady was a 3 month old pup who had 
spent his entire short life up to that point in a kennel. The world of being in a home, was new and scary to him. He didn't know how to walk on carpet. So unfamiliar was this surface, he would lift his feet up really high, like a prance. Brady was very unsure of the world away from his siblings and the shelter, and was shy for weeks. With lots of training, love and reassurance, he quickly bonded with his people and blossomed.
When a potential adopter came along Sarah couldn't imagine him living with anyone else. And then, she joined the club of foster failures. Those of you who are also members, know what a special club this is!
All this month, PBRC will be sharing stories that highlight rescue, and advocates for our dogs. Some of these stories will be from PBRC volunteers, other articles will highlight rescues and organizations striving to help animals in need.
One afternoon I was headed to animal control to take photos of adoptable dogs. As I was driving by the dog park, I swore I saw a dog in the corner but no people. I decided to turn around and check it out. I walked through and didn’t see any cars or people. As I got to the very end of the park I spotted a pit bull type dog. I called to her 
and she cautiously headed my way. As she got closer, I realized she was in horrible condition. She was emaciated, her ears were so infected they looked like cauliflower, she had recently had puppies, she had a horrible embedded collar scar, she was covered in blood from fresh wounds, and she was covered in infections from old wounds. She came right to me with a tiny tail wag and fell in my lap. I called animal control to come get her so her condition would be properly recorded in hopes we could find the owners and seek animal cruelty charges. Animal control released her to Atlanta Bully Rescue and we named her Sadie.
Sadie recovered quickly and her sweet disposition amazes everyone considering the condition she was found in. The vet said she had been in many dog fights over the past few years judging by the scars. There’s no way to know if she was intentionally fought or if they were just random dog fights. She loves everyone she meets and does a little happy tap dance for them. It’s amazing to see how happy and forgiving these dogs can be after being so neglected. Sadly, in the year we’ve had Sadie, she hasn’t gotten a single application, but we are still hopeful her forever home will turn up. 
Until then she will remain with us. She would make an amazing companion for a lucky adopter. She is such a great dog with an inspiring spirit. Here is a video of Sadie taken a week after she was in ICU at the vet's office, so some of her infections had healed: http://www.vimeo.com/14619286
~ Atlanta Bully Rescue
PBRC and Doggone Good! are hosting an online fundraiser and you are invited!
We are teaming up to hold an online fundraiser to aid this organization. Shop through the link below during the event dates and 10-20% of sales will be donated to the organization. The more you shop, the more you help animals!
Friday April 7 through Saturday April 16
You must use this special link to have your sales count!CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING
Fundraisers are held concurrent with normal store business. Because we can't predict demand or stock at any given time, we offer some features for fundraisers to help maximize your shopping experience.
Special Order items: Our store normally sells only what is in stock, but for fundraisers some products will be offered as Special Order. You can order any quantity you wish as we place the order after the event is finished. These orders take 3-4 weeks to ship.
Rainchecks: Regular store merchandise that is out of stock will allow a Raincheck request. If the item is re-stocked within 60 days, the store will email you a link to order. Your entire return shopping trip will count towards the fundraiser total.
If you have any questions please contact office@doggonegood.com
Your organization contact is: Cyn Polite at cynmae@gmail.com
Your friends at Doggone Good!www.doggonegood.com
All this month, PBRC will be sharing stories that highlight rescue, and advocates for our dogs. Some of these stories will be from PBRC volunteers, other articles will highlight rescues and organizations striving to help animals in need.
Ernie’s story is yet to be complete. He was rescued by Atlanta Underdog Initiative in December 2009. He had been tethered behind an abandoned house for some time with no food or water. Due to the scars he bears, he was either attacked by other dogs or intentionally fought. A kind lady in the neighborhood had heard about him and when she went to look for him, he had already broken loose. Fortunately, upon returning home, she found that he had discovered HER and had made his way to her home.
This lady already had multiple dogs and they did not want him coming inside, so she tried to make him as comfortable on her porch as possible and looked for help. Ami and I went over there to temperament test him and and see how he does with other dogs. We took Lenox, Ami's dog, to see how Ernie reacted. It didn't go over so well, but it wasn't horrible, either. We could see that he needed some work and decided to take him with us to try to find someone to work with him.
We took him to the dog wash, killed the fleas and I took him home to await neutering. When he was neutered we learned that he was heartworm positive. Because of his dog-aggression, and it being just before Christmas, it was difficult finding a foster home. Ernie went to a temporary foster for a month before beginning heartworm treatment. He came back to live in my basement to recover from the treatment, and although it was nice and heated, he had to be isolated from the rest of the family.
In March 2010 he went to a rescue in Florida. After a year there without any adoption leads, we decided to bring him back to Atlanta. He was evaluated by a highly respected trainer who determined that he has had so little meaningful interaction with people, that to he has not had an opportunity to bond with anyone. Since pit bulls crave and need human interaction he has not had the chance to learn what is appropriate behavior. We are going to put him through a training program, but after completion he needs a foster home that will give him positive social interaction with people on a daily basis without forcing him to interact with other dogs. Maybe once he has the chance to bond with someone he will eventually be able to be desensitized to other dogs, but we don't expect him to necessarily be friends with other dogs.~
Atlanta Underdog Initiative
Ernie’s video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyvQ_LpRVbY
What Can I Do? 
