Post by US Pet Pros on Nov 5, 2005 2:03:52 GMT -5
In Colorado we have quite a few communities that have enacted dog breed bans. In my community they have passed a breed ban, but it won't take affect until Jan 31, 2006. That doesn't mean it hasn't already started to affect the dogs. The other day I spotted a large pit bull standing in the middle of a busy road with a 55MPH speed limit. I quickly pulled over and coaxed him over to my car. He was very friendly and happily came over for some attention. Soon he was in my car and my mind was racing to try to figure out what I would do with him. I was on my way to work and didn't want to leave him trapped in my hot car all day, but I had no place to take him. I didn't have room at my house to foster him and after a quick internet check by a friend and a lot of phone calls to local shelters I found that either nobody would accept him based on him being a pit bull, or they would take him and then kill him. Just based on his breed he didn't even get a chance.
I finally located two shelters that not only would accept him, but would be willing to adopt him out. Both of these locations would be an hour round trip from where I was, but I only had one moral choice. I had to give him a chance. I quickly re-arranged my work schedule and headed out across town to drop off my new friend. He was a wonderful dog, gave me no problems, and rode in the car just fine. His worst habit as far as I could tell was his need to give me kisses every few minutes.
Sadly, nobody came to look for this boy. I drove the neighborhood I found him in, looking for lost dog signs, but there was nothing. I even posted found dog reports at our local shelter in case anyone went there to look for him. No luck. Shelter workers said they wouldn't be surprised if he had been dumped by his owners due to the new ban laws. It's a sad state of affairs when a good dog can't find a shelter to protect him in his time of need.
So my reason for posting this...to vent...to open folks eyes to some of the side effects of a dog breed ban and to mention a great rescue group that is not turning away pit bulls in need...if you'd like to donate to a shelter that is taking the most difficult dogs to adopt and giving them a chance, consider the Table Mountain Animal Shelter in Golden Colorado. A link to their site is below...if you know of a home for adoptable pit bulls please visit the Table Mountain Shelter site and check out who needs a home.
www.tablemountainanimals.org/donations.html
Jill www.uspetpros.com
My Favorite Tees - cafepress.com/myfavoritetees
I finally located two shelters that not only would accept him, but would be willing to adopt him out. Both of these locations would be an hour round trip from where I was, but I only had one moral choice. I had to give him a chance. I quickly re-arranged my work schedule and headed out across town to drop off my new friend. He was a wonderful dog, gave me no problems, and rode in the car just fine. His worst habit as far as I could tell was his need to give me kisses every few minutes.
Sadly, nobody came to look for this boy. I drove the neighborhood I found him in, looking for lost dog signs, but there was nothing. I even posted found dog reports at our local shelter in case anyone went there to look for him. No luck. Shelter workers said they wouldn't be surprised if he had been dumped by his owners due to the new ban laws. It's a sad state of affairs when a good dog can't find a shelter to protect him in his time of need.
So my reason for posting this...to vent...to open folks eyes to some of the side effects of a dog breed ban and to mention a great rescue group that is not turning away pit bulls in need...if you'd like to donate to a shelter that is taking the most difficult dogs to adopt and giving them a chance, consider the Table Mountain Animal Shelter in Golden Colorado. A link to their site is below...if you know of a home for adoptable pit bulls please visit the Table Mountain Shelter site and check out who needs a home.
www.tablemountainanimals.org/donations.html
Jill www.uspetpros.com
My Favorite Tees - cafepress.com/myfavoritetees