Shelter Assistance

Shelters and caring shelter workers: HHPBR understands your frustration in your attempts to find qualified rescues willing to accept bully breeds. One of our founders is an Animal Control Officer so we are well aware that most public shelters are absolutely overflowing with bully breed and bully breed mix dogs. However, as a small home based rescue our resources are extremely limited.

We have found that without a doubt Pit Bull Rescue Central is probably the best way (bar none) to get web exposure for your bully breeds. A fully 95% of our placements come via our listing on this website. Not only will your shelter dog been seen by prospective adopters nationwide but the site also has excellent tips on responsible bully placement and ownership. As a nationwide listing service PBRC also has links to many other bully friendly rescues.

We at HHPBR can also create a listing for your bully breeds once you have requested and received the link to your PBRC posting. We are also willing to assist you with screening applicants and with home checks in the central Indiana area. However, we will require that the dog be spayed or neutered prior to placement into the adoptive home - NO EXCEPTIONS. If you need assistance in obtaining low cost or no cost spay/neuter options in your area please visit PBRC's spay/neuter assistance page or contact us.

Please be aware that finding a qualified home for any bully breed dog can take several months. Responsible placement for these dogs is not easy and HHPBR is aware that not all shelters have the resources needed in order to ensure the safety of the bully breeds they place. We believe that as an "at risk" breed these dogs require our commitment to place them with the utmost care and concern for their long term well-being. If we cannot do so then it is our responsibility to humanely euthanize them.

You may also want to visit Animal Farm Foundation for more information on how your Bully Breed policies can help you be a part of the solution to the "Pit Bull Problem" in your community. Working to reduce the numbers of homeless and unwanted dogs coming in your shelter doors starts with community education and strict enforcement of local animal control regulations.

Please note that this is not a breed that kennels well on a long term basis. In order to successfully shelter any bully breed on a long term basis you will need to provide both daily exercise sessions and plenty of social interactions with your staff or volunteers. Even then you should be aware that behavioral problems may arise the longer the dog is kenneled.

As a last note please be sure that your bully breed placement policies include a thorough temperament assessment of any bully breed made available to the public. These breeds simply cannot stand any more bad press. Each bully you make available for adoption is a dog with the chance to make either a good or a bad impression on the members of your community. With the increasing popularity of Breed Specific Legislation placing quality dogs in quality homes is the only way to ensure that those of us who enjoy the breed will be allowed the privilege of bully ownership in the years to come.