Tag: Pit Bull Rescue

TGIF! FOWYMTWOTBBSB! (We don't assume you know what that second one means!) Find Out What You Missed This Week On The BBS Blog! Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Dog Training/Dog Rescuing/Food Making/Hungarian Dog Royalty  fun, catch up before Monday with all of this week's great BBS Blogs!

So snuggle up to your favorite pooch (or pooches) and read the BBS Healthy Dog Blog! Happy Weekend Reading! Click the links below to find out more about:

Tip #198: Choosing A Dog Trainer • Rescue Spotlight: Fresno Bully Rescue •  Grain-Free PuppyPoppers via FoodBaby Blog • Breed Spotlight on the Lhasa Apso

SUPER HOWL 2013 is here! A Charity Photo Contest, Super Howl 2013 can win your Animal Rescue or Animal Shelter a 1.7k monetary donation! In each Round, Animal Organizations will be winning donations! Find out more here: http://bit.ly/Xk6OnG

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It’s a lot to take in. But they do it every day. Fresno Bully Rescue dedicates themselves to rescuing, rehabilitating and homing dogs but that’s only a part of their operation. As one of two bully-breed specific rescues in the state, FBR works to demystify this misunderstood breed. Fresno Bully Rescue has had successes and not just every time they find a bully breed a new, loving home, but each time they change someone’s mind about this great breed. BestBullySticks.com had the chance to talk to Bridgette Boothe, the director of FBR about the rescue, their stories and how you can help.

When & Why did you start?
Since it’s founding in May 1, 2008, FBR has rescued over 500 dogs. At our shelter, we house over 40 resident dogs at all times. Some rescued from the community, from abusive homes, and county shelters where they were designated to be euthanized. Because of foreclosures in California, an overwhelming amount of dogs are being surrendered to shelters. Bully breeds are the first to be euthanized if no one adopts or rescues them. The service provided by FBR is critical for the Central Valley, which has one of the highest rates of euthanization in the whole of California.

What's different about your rescue?
FBR is one of the only breed-specific rescues with an actual shelter facility in California. We take in dogs from all over the state and also adopt out to the entire state of CA. Besides rescuing and adopting, FBR is also committed to providing educational services in the community, micro-chipping, and promoting spaying and neutering and responsible ownership of the bully breeds. In addition, FBR is committed to advocating for the bully breeds by doing educational outreach to the high-risk communities about the illegal practice of dog fighting, as well as providing mental & physical rehabilitation and training to our bully residents while in our care.

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had?
We've had some pretty amazing rescues come through our shelter. There are too many to count! Just seeing a dog go from being on the brink of death and despair to seeing it happy, healthy and in a loving family is the greatest reward. Bully breeds are the most abused and neglected breed out there so we have seen some pretty sad cases. It makes it all worth it when you reach the final goal of seeing that dog sleeping on the foot of a bed with its new owner.

What's the most rewarding thing about working at your rescue?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a part of FBR is being able to go out into the community and help change the negative perception of the breed. We go to schools, businesses and community events where we get to educate and advocate. We are changing minds and hearts and we can really see a difference.

What can people do to help your rescue?
We are 100% run by community support and donations. We have many donation and sponsorship programs and volunteer opportunities!

Thanks to Bridgette Boothe and all the hard working volunteers of Fresno Bully Rescue who help save the lives of bully breeds and find them in loving homes! Find out more about Fresno Bully Rescue on FBR’s Facebook or FBR’s website. 

One vote can make all the difference—in a life or in a contest. Such is the case with Best Bully Sticks most recent 1-Day Animal Rescue/Shelter Giveaway. We seem to always have very close races, but this time around it was particularly close with only 1 vote difference separating the winning group.

In a way, BBS thinks that’s reminiscent of the nature of rescuing animals: it only takes 1 “vote” of confidence, care and courage by a willing participant to make a difference. In the case of our winners, Carolina Care Bullies, taking a chance on the “bully” breeds in North Carolina was all it took to make a difference. In today’s Rescue Spotlight we’ll take a look at CCB—their story and their successes—through the eyes of the organization’s president, Amanda Liston.

When & Why did you start?

We started in August 2009 after Terry [King] and I rescued and adopted our third pit bull, Spiderman. There was so much public support when we rescued him, and we noticed what a huge difference we could make in the lives of other pit bulls. There just wasn't a lot of activity geared towards getting pit bulls out of shelters and into good homes in our local area.

What's different about your rescue?

We are different because of the prejudice we face everyday due to the breed we fell in love with. Our foster parents need to work so much harder to present a great image of their dog because of the negative image the media presents. We have to really form a tight support system so we don't become discouraged or burnt out from the stereotypes we are constantly fighting.

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had?

My favorite success story happened during our first year. We got a call about a dog abandoned in a house when the owner was incarcerated. We were very naive and at the time did not know what we had agreed to. Another volunteer and I went to the house and realized we were in a very unsafe part of town. But we were already there, and the dog was locked inside the house, alone, and it was a hot May afternoon. We found an open window and built a makeshift stool, lassoed the dog through the window, and pulled him out. So many things could have gone wrong, but we were very lucky. Once we got the dog out of the house, he didn't bark at all and was actually very friendly. He was also extremely underweight, missing fur, and covered in ticks. This was a dog that had been neglected long before his owner had left. Read more