Last month I did an informal survey where I asked for your ideas on how to get pitbulls adopted. thank you so much for everyone who participated. feel totally free to add additional ideas in the comments.

10 ways to get pitbulls adopted

1. encourage people to view the documentary “Beyond the Myth,” suggested Dana.

I also found this documentary very informative, and I recommend it to all canine lovers. Those of us in the animal sheltering world already know pitbulls are just regular dogs, but community members as a whole may not know this. possibly shelters and rescue groups around the world could encourage people to view “Beyond the Myth” by mentioning it through fliers or on their Facebook pages. organizing an event to invite community members to view the film at the shelter or elsewhere would also be a terrific idea. It’s available on Netflix.

Another documentary is coming out called “Guilty ’til Proven Innocent.” It appears to be about breed discrimination, but I don’t have much info about it. You can view the trailer here. Thanks, Brent, for the link.

2. Great pictures are worth their weight in gold, said Rachel. “I think good descriptions of personality, needs and energy levels are a good idea too,” she said. “People can really picture a canine fitting into their lifestyle that way.”

Some of the tough-looking dogs might appear intimidating to adopters, but you can soften them up in pictures by dressing them in bow ties or pink bandannas. Also, take pictures of the dogs playing with other dogs and interacting with people of all ages or even cats. including a toy in the pictures is terrific too, even if the canine isn’t actually playing with the toy.

Need an easy way to help shelter dogs? Donate some colorful bandannas, bow ties or ribbons.

3. show landlords that pitbulls are good dogs.

“My house complex doesn’t allow ‘aggressive’ canine breeds, including pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans,” said Michelle. “Since this lowers the potential adoption pool for these dogs, they’re much more likely to remain in shelters for longer.”

Michelle makes a good point. numerous of us want to adopt pitbulls, but we can’t because of breed restrictions. Does anybody have any good ideas for politely working with landlords to change these restrictions? I’d like to start a campaign on this issue, and I know insurance companies are an even larger obstacle. I think those of us who love pitbulls but don’t actually own one can be a strong voice here as well.

4. much more public events with the dogs! 

To get pitbulls adopted, rescues ought to hold much more fundraising days that involve getting the dogs out in public, suggested Eleanor. The pitbulls ought to attend these events and not be tucked away in the back kennels.

These types of events out in public are so important, because some people would never check out the shelter. They might find shelters too depressing or they might be unaware the shelter exists. So bring the dogs to them!

“When there is a adoption at a store, festival, etc., shelters need to make sure that pits are there and that people are interacting with them and learning what fantastic pals they can be,” said Kelleigh.

5. Adopt-Me vests walks, said Melissa.

This is such a easy way to get pitbulls adopted. each time you have a shelter canine or a foster canine out in public, he ought to be wearing a vest, a collar or a bandanna that says “Adopt Me!” This encourages people to method and meet the dog. Make sure to have the shelter’s contact information printed out on company cards or fliers.

Want to help get pitbulls adopted? purchase an Adopt-Me t-shirt or vest for a shelter in your area.

6. good leash manners, Melissa also suggested.

Meget sandt. people want to adopt dogs with good leash manners, not maniacs! even if the canine you’re dealing with doesn’t have ideal leash manners, it’s your job to set him up for success. avoid him from showing obnoxious behavior such as barking, lunging or making those terrible “choking” sounds. use treats to encourage him to sit, make eye contact or walk nicely.

7. post videos of the dogs, suggested Dana.

“Maybe have much more videos of them interacting with humans, other animals, etc., to show how sweet and gentle they are.”

Shannon added that she went to meet (and adopt!) her pitbull after seeing a video of him playing with another dog.

Check out this video of adoptable canine Nemo with Angel City Pit Bulls in Los Angeles. Makes you want to adopt him, doesn’t it? Or at least kiss him on the nose?

8. allow people to view the dogs playing, said Amanda.

“Get them in a room with playful, pleased dogs – it’s hard to say no toat.” (Som i videoen af ​​Nemo ovenfor!)

9. Arm dig selv med information, foreslog hun også.

Giv folk info om, hvordan pitbulls kan gøre fantastiske dyr såvel som info om lokale hunde -love. Derefter “Lad hundene selv fremsætte det følelsesmæssige argument, og de frivillige gør sagen for at bringe en hunde hjem.”

Du burde også være klar til høfligt at diskutere, hvorfor alle disse Pitbull -myter er falske, men ikke tale med folk, mens du gør det.

10. Helt gratis træningskurser for adopterede hunde.

”Folk, der adopterer pitbulls og pitbull-blandinger fra Humane Society i mit område, får et otte-ugers træningspas til brug med deres adopterede pooch,” sagde Ashlee.

Ashlee delte en fantastisk idé, men jeg håber, at dette husly giver den samme aftale for alle hunde og ikke kun Pitbulls.

Hvad er nogle yderligere ideer for at få meget flere pitbulls vedtaget?

Hunde afbildet:

Skye (øverst) er klar til adoption i Fargo, N.D., med Humane Society Fargo-Moorhead.

Barbie Jo (med den lyserøde bandanna) er klar til adoption med Marshmellow Foundation i Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Frankie (med adopt-me vest) er klar til vedtagelse i Virginia gennem Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

Nemo (i videoen) er til adoption med Angel City Pit Bulls i Los Angeles.