Our Wish List

Dont Bully My Breed is always looking for the following items for the Adopt-a-Bulls (and kitties!):

- Gift cards to: Petco, Farm & Fleet, Menards, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Meijer, and similar stores
- Medium to XL sized harnesses (new or gently used)
- Leashes (new or gently used)
- Collars (please, buckles only) (new or gently used)
- Flea and Heartworm prevention (Advantage, Revolution, Frontline, Ivermectin, Heartgard, etc - No Hartz products please)
- Dog crates/kennels (new or gently used) - Medium, Large, Extra-Large
- Kongs (new or gently used) or similar sturdy toys
- Sheets, towels, and dog beds (new or gently used)
- Cat litter (non-scented or gravel)
- Dry dog and cat food

Items can be dropped off in-person at our vet in Normal, IL or shipped to us.  We can also try to arrange pick-up if you live in the greater Chicagoland area (rather than central IL).  If you can donate any of the above, please contact us at info@dontbullymybreed.org for our address/our vet's address. Thank you!

Donated items like Kong balls make Jenkins a happy fellow!

Dog parks...just say no!

Dog parks...Just say no!

With Breed-Specific Legislation looming over the head of every Pit Bull owner, it is OUR duty and responsibility to make sure that our dogs stay out of trouble - and there's a whole lot of trouble to be had at the dog park. We are not a fan of dog parks for any breed - however, with Pit Bulls, there is much more at stake if something goes wrong. Oftentimes, a Pit Bull won't start a fight, but if pushed past his limits, he is unlikely to back down. And the general public has little-to-zero knowledge of dog or human aggression - how many times have we heard "This time it was a dog - but what if it were a child?" The Pit Bull who fights back is seen as vicious, even if the other dog was the instigator. The Pit Bull is nearly ALWAYS blamed. Is it fair? No. But it is reality. And we as Pit Bull owners need to make sure that our dogs NEVER make the evening news. Because the story of the Pit Bull attacking the "innocent" dog at the dog park will be one of the first stories brought up at the townhall meeting to discuss potential BSL. And you can bet that the owner of that "innocent" dog will be telling all her family, friends and neighbors about the vicious Pit Bull at the dog park. And even if your dog is one of those "special" Pit Bulls who would NEVER defend itself from another dog - why would you put your dog in a situation where he can be bullied, picked on, or attacked? It is our job as responsible DOG owners to keep our dogs out of harms way. Going to dog parks is like playing Russian Roulette. You never know what other dogs will be there on any given day, you don't know what their temperaments will be like, or if any of them are harboring a disease or parasite. Pit Bull owners need to have the big-picture approach. Any negative incidents don't only look badly upon the individual dog, but Bully breeds as a whole. The risk simply isn't worth it. Our Top 7 Least Favorite Excuses for Going to a Dog Park 1. Excuse: "He always submits if attacked by other dogs!" Response: Why are you willingly putting your dog in a situation where he can be attacked? Part of being a responsible owner is keeping your dog safe and out of trouble. Attacks are no laughing matter! If a dog is repeatedly exposed to negative interactions with other dogs, he will likely develop fear because he will associate seeing another dog running up to him with the pain of being bitten/attacked. This fear could manifest into true dog aggression (if we were to humanize the dog's thoughts, he would be thinking, "I better bite that other dog before he bites me!"). 2. Excuse: "Pit Bulls need to be socialized!" Response: Of course Pit Bulls need to be socialized, however, socialization does not mean letting your dog run loose with other dogs. There are many ways to socialize your Pit Bull, and one is in controlled, monitored settings, with a small handfull of well-mannered dogs, always under the watchful eye of owners who are well-versed in canine body language. At dog parks, anyone can enter/join. Everyone thinks their dog is perfect and would never hurt a fly - until they actually do. The average pet owner generally has no knowledge of dog body language. A wagging tail means the dog is happy, right? Wrong - dogs wag their tail for many reasons. Depending how the dog is wagging the tail, it could mean he is extremely excited (and might cause a redirected fight over a toy), or could even mean the dog is nervous! Some people even bring their dogs to the dog park, KNOWING their dog is dog aggressive - they think that the dog will "get over" the DA by playing with other dogs! Some people also use the dog park as a place for their dog to get all their energy out at once - the dog is never exercised or walked during the week, and the owner thinks that a weekend visit to the dog park would be a great place for him to "blow off steam". That dog, at the dog park, is so overexcited and full of pent-up, unreleased energy that he often has rude or pushy behavior towards other dogs, and could inadvertently cause a fight. These are just some of the examples of the types of dogs/owners you can come across at the dog park. And as we said before, every time your dog has a negative interaction with another dog ("Oh, he just wants to play!" as the dog jumps on top of your dog and pins him down by the neck!), the likelihood of your dog becoming dog-reactive increases. BADRAP has some great socialization tips, here. 3. Excuse: "It's a private dog park - all dogs have to be checked by a vet before they can join!" Response: We often hear this excuse in response to the fact that dog parks are a breeding ground for parasites and disease. Just because dogs need to be updated on shots and negative for parasites before owners get a key to the park, it doesn't mean that the dog is still healthy every time he enters it. Also, many private parks still allow intact dogs to enter. Unneutered males (who have a higher testosterone level), and females who are in heat can easily trigger a dog fight. 4. Excuse: "My Pit Bull isn't like one of -those- Pit Bulls - my dog would never fight!" Response: Everyone loves to think that their Pit Bull is unique, that their Pit Bull is the rare unicorn of Pit Bulls who doesn't have any ounce of dog aggression, at all. Unfortunately, the reality is that because of their history, Pit Bulls are predispositioned to having genetic dog aggression. There are varying levels - some Pit Bulls get along with most polite dogs, some Pit Bulls get along with the opposite sex only, and some Pit Bulls just don't care for other dogs. Dog tolerance levels are generally not "concrete" until a Pit Bull hits maturity - usually around 8-12 months of age, sometimes as late as 4 years old. Just because a Pit Bull gets along with dogs at a young age, doesn't mean he always will. And while socializing can help, no amount of treats, training or 'tssts' can override a genetic trait. To turn a blind eye to the temperament traits of this breed is to set your dog up for failure. 5. Excuse: "Dogs are pack animals!" Response: The "pack theory" in wolves has been greatly debated, but recent findings has shown that wolves stay in packs with their families, and do not interact with other packs. A dog park in the "wolf world" would be like plucking one wolf out of several different packs, placing them in a fenced-in area together, and forcing them to get along. The comparison between "pack" and dog park just doesn't work. Furthermore, Pit Bulls were historically bred to fight against other dogs - forcing a Pit Bull to get along with other dogs goes against its' nature. Some breeds were developed to get along with other dogs - such as Foxhounds, who need to work together to hunt foxes - but Pit Bulls are not one of these breeds, by any stretch of the imagination. And when dogs are forced into this unnatural pack setting, they often develop an artificial "pack mentality" - and dogs acting as a pack act very differently than when acting individually. 6. Excuse: "He's MY Pit Bull, and you have no business telling him where he can and can't go!" Response: If only that were the case. As mentioned before, Breed Specific Legislation affects EVERY responsible owner of bully breeds (and dogs who look like bully breeds!). One negative incident at the dog park is all it takes for BSL to be proposed in a city. Suddenly, everyone starts fearing the "vicious" Pit Bull. They think that because the Pit Bull went after another dog, that children and humans are next (which is false - human aggression and dog aggression are two completely different (usually) genetic traits). People start comparing owning a Pit Bull to owning a wild animal, as if Pit Bulls are crocodiles at the end of a leash. And there is a Domino Effect - once one municipality bans Pit Bulls, other nearby towns will follow suit. This is not being paranoid - this is reality. Because ONE person thinks their Pit Bull is special, that their Pit Bull deserves to go to a dog park, that THEIR Pit Bull would -never- scuffle with another dog - all of OUR dogs suffer as a result. Don't be selfish - your actions as a Pit Bull owner don't affect just yourself and your dog, they reflect on Pit Bulls and Pit Bull owners as a whole. 7. Excuse: "If I don't take him to a dog park, people won't see how wonderful Pit Bulls are!" Response: It's not about proving the non-Pit Bull supporter's wrong, it's about NOT giving them a chance to be right. Meaning - your dog can be wonderful around other dogs...but all it takes is ONE incident for a stranger's mind to be made up. IF your dog happens to be involved in a scuffle, what will people think? Will they think "Oh, he's just reacting to the other dog" or, "That Pit Bull used to be friendly, but he "snapped" out of nowhere!"? There are MANY ways to show how wonderful your dog is...taking him to farmer's/flea markets, walks (onleash) through the park, certifying him as a therapy dog, and more. These are all SAFE, positive things that don't involve your dog running loose with strange dogs. (Note: While I normally solely use the term "Pit Bull" to refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier, "Pit Bull" in this article refers to APBTs and pit bull mixes alike.) © Karla Bentcover 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Fostering 101!

Every day, we have to turn down dozens of dogs, because we simply don't have the room.  Foster homes allow us to say YES to that pleading face.
Many people are hesitant about fostering a dog.  They think, "I'll be too sad if I have to care for an animal, only to give him/her up!".  While it's true that yes, seeing your foster animal off to a forever home is a bittersweet moment - what is the alternative?  It is likely death, on the cold, hard floor of animal control.  When you open up your home to a foster animal, you are literally saving a life and giving that dog a second chance.

Sari was rescued out of a horrific situation where 22 dogs and 15 cats were shot at a rural animal control. She is now in a foster home and doing wonderfully!

Fostering is a commitment that you make to the dog.  It is a selfless act, and there may be challenges, but fostering comes with the greatest reward of all - seeing that dog that you've cared for through thick-and-thin finally finding a permanent home.

Interested in fostering? Great!  Here are some Frequently Asked Questions.

"Do you require foster homes to live in a certain area?"
Yes.  Although we exist as a world-wide resource for fighting BSL and pit bull education, our rescue efforts are local.  We require foster homes to live in the central Illinois or greater Chicagoland areas.

"Where do the dogs come from?"
Many are strays that are brought into our vet.  Others come from "death row" - shelters that euthanize for space.

"Do I get to pick the dog that I foster?"
Yes and no.  It is easy to fall in love with a handsome face, but all foster placements are done in the best interest of the animal.  We will work with you to find a dog that matches your lifestyle and household.  We want your experience fostering to be as stress-free and pleasant as possible!

"What is required of me?"
The foster home is responsible for food and (most) supplies (we may be able to provide certain things like crates).  And of course, a loving, stable environment until the dog is adopted! 

We also require the adopter to send pictures and updates on the animal, to make sure things are going smoothly, and so we can be constantly updating the adoption listings.  Good pictures and biographies make all the difference in attracting adopters!

Shelter pictures like this are not effective in attracting potential adopters. Foster parents take personable and unique shots of their foster pup that increase their chances of being adopted!

"What do you provide?"
DBMB covers approved medical costs should they be needed.  We also provide round-the-clock support, and have connections with several trainers should any issues arise (or if you want to work with your foster animal to make him more adoptable!).

"How long of a commitment is fostering?"
It can be very difficult to find responsible homes for bully breeds.  Typical turn-around time can be anywhere from a month, to over a year for some "special needs" cases (like elderly, ongoing medical issues, etc).  Let us know beforehand as to what time commitment you are able to provide.

"What if I want to adopt my foster animal?"
Great!  If you decide to make your foster animal a permanent member of your family, please let us know immediately so we can mark them adopted and have you sign the adoption contract.

"How do you help get the animal adopted?"
We advertise the animals on several different websites for maximum exposure.  They are listed on Petfinder, AdoptaPet.com, PBRC.net, here on our website, Facebook, and on other organizations' websites.  We network the dogs heavily - every dog adopted out, is another that we can save! 

With that being said, just as we select foster homes that are the best match for the dog, the same is done for adopters.  Each adoption is in the best interest of the animal.  Potential adopters are required to fill out an application, have their references checked, a home visit performed, etc (see our "how to adopt" page).  DBMB is responsible for screening and approving all potential adopters, but of course, as the foster home, you do get a say in the final outcome as well.

"Ok, so how do I become a foster home?"
The first step is to fill out an application at www.dontbullymybreed.org/guardianship_application.htm.  Please be patient in waiting for a response.  We are a small organization, consisting of volunteers who do this in our spare time.  We may get back to you the same day, sometimes it may take a few days.  However, feel free to email us to make sure that we have received your application, as sometimes technical errors may occur.

Once we have received your application, we will contact you for a brief interview, as well as contact your references.  If everything checks out fine, we will proceed with a home visit.  We simply want to make sure that your home is safe for an animal - we don't care if your bed is made or how expensive of a car you drive!  Once the home visit is completed we will let you know if you have been approved to foster.  if you have, then yay!  We will work with you to find a foster dog that is an appropriate match.  After we find a suitable dog, we will discuss with you one-on-one how to acclimate the dog to your home, and any other specific issues or concerns that may arise.

Note: Please, before contacting us and filling out an application, check with all the people in the home - family members, significant others, roommates, etc - to make sure that they are all on board to foster a bully breed.We get very excited when people say that they want to foster, only to suffer huge disappointment when told "Sorry, I checked with my husband and he doesn't want to add another dog right now". And don't forget to check with your landlord!

And please, before offering to foster, think things through!  It is easy to have your heartstrings pulled by the pleading eyes of a dog who is going to be euthanized, but make sure that you are in a position to foster.  These dogs have already been failed by their original "owners".  Our resources are extremely limited, and when potential foster homes fall through, it places a large strain on our organization.

A sweet little red pit bull named Mandy....

will be euthanized at animal control if no rescue steps up for her.

From a plea we received:

"Mandy was out at the East Moline (IL) Dump. She was very thin and has had MANY litters of pups. It looks like she has been chained most of her life. It also looks like she has been trying to squeeze into a very small area for shelter. She has calluses on her back and no fur down her tail and on top of her feet. She is missing fur around her eyes also. This may be due to a lack of nutrition. She does have some broken teeth, but eats hard treats and food just fine.

THE GOOD NEWS......Mandy has passed 2 different temp tests, by two different people. She is good with other dogs, but may chase cats. Mandy has been so neglected all of her life, she is only about 2, and I would really like to see her feel true love."

DBMB receives pleas like this every day, and while we're trying to focus on the dogs currently under our umbrella, something about this little girl resonated with us. With her skin condition, the chances of any other organization rescuing her is slim to none. Mandy is a dog who has likely suffered months of neglect. She was found at a trash dump - did someone consider this girl to be "trash" and abandon her there? Or had she been wandering for days, and upon stumbling across the dump, stay there to try to scavenge for food?

We can't change her past, but we need YOUR help to change her future. Can't you imagine her all filled out, lounging outside on a warm summers day? Or curled up inside, on a doggy bed, without a care in the world?

This little girl needs a chance at a better life. And for that, we need a foster home. Dont Bully My Breed will cover all approved medical bills. We'll screen adopters, and provide round-the-clock advice and support. We have been told that her condition is NOT from any type of mange, but rather, malnutrition, and laying on concrete. This is great news, as it means that simply with a high-quality diet, and stable home environment, Mandy will likely make a fantastic recovery. However, if no one offers to foster her, she will never get this chance, and her life will be ended on a metal table.

Please note that while DBMB exists as a world-wide resource for pit bull literature and anti-BSL efforts, our hands-on work with the animals is local, meaning central Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area.

So if you live in either of these areas, and are serious about your offer to foster, email us at dontbullymybreed (at) aol.com. Let's save this girl's life!

-KB

Featured Adopt-a-Bull: Jenkins

"Can't a boy like me catch a break?"

For our first featured Adopt-a-Bull, we are highlighting Jenkins! This handsome fella just can't catch a break lately - at least three separate people have been set to foster or adopt him, but every single offer has fallen through, through no fault of his own.

Jenkins was rescued from a high-kill animal control facility on the date he was scheduled to be euthanized.  With his black coat and (then) scarred body, he was a dead dog walking until we stepped up to help him.

I had the pleasure of having an "overnighter" with Jenkins when I visited the president of Dont Bully My Breed, Catherine, who is currently fostering him.  I don't understand why this lovable, well-behaved guy hasn't found his forever home yet!  He is a true "ready made" dog.  He is already crate trained, housebroken, and non-destructive. He is also very dog friendly (although he likes to chase small critters, so homes with cats are a no-go).

Jenks is 2 1/2 years old, and we think a Boxer/Lab mix.  He really doesn't have any features of an American Pit Bull Terrier (in temperament or looks), but to the general population, would likely be considered a "pit bull".

The ideal home for Jenkins: A family with older kids (we haven't evaluated him with little kids yet), and maybe a well-behaved female who doesn't mind "throwing down" and playing once in a while.  He isn't overly energetic, but would love going for daily strolls through the neighborhood.

Jenkins is looking for a foster or forever home. The adoption/fostering process is highlighted on our website, here.  Interested?  Contact us at dontbullymybreed@aol.com.

-KB

Welcome!

Welcome to the official blog of Dont Bully My Breed!  Bookmark us for updates on breed-specific legislation, news about our organization, adoptable dogs, educational articles, and more!

Behind the Scenes:
There will be two main contributors to the DBMB blog.
Catherine Hedges (CH), the founder and president of DBMB, will be posting on occasion.  Catherine has been involved with rescue for 12 years, having previously ran a Chicago no-kill shelter that truly blazed the trail for responsible pit bull adoptions, not to mention evaluating and placing dog fighting victims before other groups made it "trendy" to do so.

Karla Bentcover (KB), myself, is the webmaster for DBMB. I have been volunteering with DBMB for almost 2 years come this spring.  I was not new to rescue when I first started became involved with DBMB. My initial contact with DBMB came when I was trying to find rescue for a handful of pit bulls at my local kill shelter.  Catherine helped me find rescue for these dogs, and beyond.  I started off with updating Petfinder.com, and am now the main "behind-the-scenes" person in the organization.  I update several pet adoption sites, update our general website, and run the Facebook page. 

Catherine and I disagree on a few things, agree on many, and together (along with many other volunteers), we make DBMB a unique collaborative effort.  We hope this blog will increase awareness of our organization, exist as an educational resource for pit bull related literature, provide alerts and resources for those fighting breed specific legislation, and become a catalyst in our efforts to find homes for sound, homeless pit bulls and bully dogs.