WhO IS PAWSITIVELY PIT BULL INC. SERVICEs?

We are an advocacy group that believes the pit bull needs our support due to negative stereotypes. As supporters of the pit bull, we have worked to regain their positive reputation since 2000. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation based in Portland, Oregon, and are 100% run by volunteers. Another division of the organization will be created in 2010 in the Midwest.  The focus of this branch will be providing options for low-cost pit bull spay/neuter, fighting BSL and youth education. We want to re-establish the pit bull as a beloved family pet and America's number one dog.

WHY PIT BULLS?

We decided to focus solely on helping pit bulls and their owners after noting the neglect and abuse regularly done to this breed and the fear people have of them.

It is our experience that pit bulls are very loving, intelligent, communicative, trainable, and loyal dogs. Due to their high trainability in combination with an eagerness to please, pit bulls are preyed upon by people with ill intent. These people can teach the pit bull to be aggressive and will even use them in illegal dog fights. The media frequently exposes and often exaggerates that pit bulls and their owners are inherently aggressive and the delinquents of society.

As on over-represented breed at shelters, pit bulls are regularly euthanized. Reasons for this are: misinterpreted behaviors, the false belief that they are "too aggressive", biased temperament testing, irresponsible breeding, and not enough homes.

THE NO-KILL SANCTUARY

There are pit bulls who have endured many obstacles, abuse, or trauma in their lives. For these animals, we have established a place for them to call home. These pit bulls can live out their natural life without abuse or the threat of euthanasia. When our facility was deemed unhabitable from the river flooding, Executive Director, Amanda Gribben, took the pit bulls in the organization's care to her own home.  Because of the economic times, a new sanctuary has not been re-established.  Since we do not have a traditional 'shelter', we do not take personal relinquishments. We coordinate with community partners to save special needs pit bulls. During a pit bull's stay with us, we rehabilitate them in hopes of a future adoption and a forever loving home.

EDUCATION

It is our goal to educate the public about the positive attributes of the pit bull, and to dispel the many myths about them. We accomplish this with our informational web site, and attending many community events to share our knowledge and provide handouts. We secure positive press for pit bulls by sharing our beliefs, program, and experiences. We provide individual, private advice on training, nutrition, and other resources to the guardians of pit bulls. Pawsitively Pit Bull hopes to provide people with the knowledge to make informed decisions and combat the negative stereotypes that the media perpetuates.

We work with agencies and individuals to provide resources to increase the adoptability of pit bulls to the general public. By sharing our knowledge and processes for adoption, education, training, and rehabilitation, we assist shelters to incorporate pit bulls on the adoptable floor, as well as educate the public on how to acquire or re-home a pit bull.

THE FUTURE   Letter to supporters

We are committed to making every pit bull we work with an ambassador of the breed. We will continue to encourage owners to spay/neuter their pit bulls as this will help reduce the amount of unwanted pets and promote your dog's longevity and overall good health. We will change the negative perception of this breed and challenge any proposed action to restrict or ban pit bulls. We will increase awareness of illegal dog fighting and propose higher penalties for those engaged in this behavior. We will work with schools to educate our youth on responsible pet ownership and general dog behavior, and also work with law enforcement agencies to react better in crisis situations involving pit bulls. We will open the door for others advocating the pit bull and work towards making the pit bull the number one pet in America again.