Elizabeth Welch, like much of us, invited brand-new dogs home throughout the pandemic. As primary medical director at Stand for Animals Veterinary Clinic, Welch has actually taken care of dogs of all types for more than 15 years. What dogs did she pick for her family with 3 kids? Two rescue pit bulls, Riggs and Eleanor. She’d owned pit bulls in the past, and the majority of her colleagues at Stand for Animals have pitties, too.
“Pit bulls being labelled as aggressive has been sensationalized. Are there dogs that aren’t nice? Absolutely. Are they all pit bulls? No,” Welch says. “Pit bulls are definitely family dogs. They’re active, high-energy, loyal.”
The just animal more devoted than a pit bull is the one holding its leash. Team Pittie is a dedicated team. When we pass each other on strolls, we offer each other pleased head nods (after we welcome the dogs). I confess: I evaluate areas by the number of pit bulls I see (head nod, Plaza Midwood).
It’s a rough summer season to be a pittie. Our homeless animal crisis is mainly a homeless pit bull crisis, and it’s becoming worse. Adoptable dogs at Animal Care and Control are extremely pit bulls, victims of a stereotype. This summer season, these dogs have less locations to wait on houses. Shelter restorations have actually briefly closed 50 dog runs; even in the past, the shelter had no room to accept dog surrenders. Team Pittie has work to do.
Animal rescue has 3 objectives: Find houses for animals; assistance owners so they can keep animals at home, healthy and happy; and make sterile and sterilize animals to avoid undesirable litters. A collaboration in between Artemis Cares, Stand for Animals, and AC&C is a master class in dog rescue. Artemis Cares is a half-million-dollar fund that supports pit bulls and their individuals. To motivate adoptions this summer season at ACC, the fund offers individuals who adopt “Extended Stay Guests” (hard-to-adopt shelter citizens, normally pitties) $50 present cards to Stand for Animals. Next, it uses pit bull owners coupons that cover numerous dollars of veterinarian take care of $25: spay/neutering, vaccines, heartworm screening, and preventative treatment. AC&C field officers disperse these coupons in the neighborhood too.
“We want to make it affordable for all populations, every demographic to own a pet,” Welch says. “Just because someone has money doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who get to have that love of a pet.”
Another devoted Team Pittie member (and finest rescue name ever) is Pits & Giggles. This regional group cultivates homeless pregnant pit bulls, looking after mom and puppies till they’re prepared for adoption. Founder Amanda Forsythe’s relationship with pitties started with suspicion. Forsythe matured with toy poodles, and she went to the Humane Society of Charlotte 8 years ago with 3 requirements for a family dog: low upkeep, snuggler, good with kids. They presented her to a pit bull called Coriander.
“This dog would lay next to my son while he did his reading in the evenings,” she says. “When he had trouble sleeping, she’d be his big spoon.”
Since she began her rescue, Forsythe has actually had more than 100 adult pit bulls in her home—and numerous puppies.
“They’re absolute doll babies,” she says. “I’m sitting with them in their kennel, helping them deliver their babies, touching the puppies they should be guarding. And they’re so happy! They’ve got the best temperament.”
Phoebe McGivney
I, too, concerned pit bulls unwillingly. I spontaneously promoted a pit bull mix whose spirits had actually broken in the shelter. I almost returned her prior to she made it to my house. Here was a pit bull gave up by its previous owner and passed over for weeks at the shelter— what was incorrect with it? Was my foster dog a hellhound waiting to assault? Time revealed 2 mistakes. First, this “hellhound” was a shy lapdog terrified of her own farts. Second, she wasn’t my foster. She was home. Realizing what my bias almost cost my dog Phoebe—and what they cost dogs like her everyday—is why I’m Team Pittie.
This summer season, AC&C and rescue groups require help. They require adopters and fosters. They require contributions: money, products, even old towels and papers. They require individuals to share dog posts on social networks.
And they require individuals to remedy stereotypes that cost the lives of innocent dogs. This summer season, Team Pittie requires you (head nod).
