Pit Bull Advocacy

Women’s Animal Center offers an equal opportunity adoption center, with no restriction on the breeds of domestic dogs we will offer for placement. All breeds are equal in our eyes, and each dog is given a chance at finding a new home, provided they pass the behavior tests administered by our specially trained behavior staff.

Pit Bulls, Pit Bull mixes and other dogs in the mastiff group are not always easy to distinguish from one another, leading to much misidentification in shelter environments and with the public at large. Rather then punish a wonderfully behaved dog with a misidentification; we test them all, allowing their actions to speak for them.

There was a time when almost all news coverage about Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes was negative. We know the stereotypical characterization of a chained fighting dog, or the poorly socialized, untrained pet that bites someone. Those animals are not responsible for the situations they were placed in; their owners are. Thankfully, it seems these bully breeds have once again come full circle and reclaimed their place as household pets and now assist mankind in various ways.

Search the media and find there are numerous positive examples of how these energetic, athletic dogs are assisting humankind. There are rescue groups dedicated to retraining bully breeds specifically to help our military with PTSD. Some are being trained for narcotics detection and have been enlisted by various police departments around the country. Others have found placement in the Search and Rescue field where their athleticism and energy help find lost hikers, children and dementia patients alike. Some help students struggling with reading by providing a kind, non-judgmental set of ears that enjoy the sound of young voices.

There are many activities you can enjoy with your dog, and also many different rolls your dog may perform. The basis for them all is a foundation of understanding built through training with positive reinforcement. Whatever breed of dog you decide to adopt, be a responsible pet owner. Have your dog spayed or neutered and work with them. Take a training class where the two of you will learn how to better communicate with each other. From there, who knows where you’ll go.

To learn more about Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, there are many advocacy groups throughout the country. Our friends at Your Pit Bull and You are a good source of information, training and behavior advice.