Did you know that pit bulls are one of the most at-risk breeds to end up in shelters in large numbers due to the myths and negative perceptions about them?
I will be honest and say that sometimes pit bulls scare me, ONLY BECAUSE of the scary stories you hear about on the news. However I personally know about a half dozen pit bulls and they are the sweetest, most loving dogs.
I do agree that pit bulls are seen as “bad dogs”. Some might be, but NOT ALL ARE. The same would apply towards Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Corgis, Chihuahuas and just about any other breed of dog.
At our local animal shelter a Girl Scout volunteer was bitten by a small, mixed breed dog (he was frightened and bit her). Our local shelter has dozens of pit bulls that pass through their doors every month and NOT ONE has ever attacked a volunteer.
I am a huge animal lover, that is why I am happy to support any charity that will help provide for animals in need.
I don’t normally share press releases but in this case I feel it’s important.
Nonprofit PetSmart Charities is helping to reduce the number of pit bulls born into unplanned litters through its “Primp Your Pit” promotion – an awareness and grant program that will provide more than 6,000 spay/neuter surgeries to pit bulls in 24 states through 49 non-profit spay/neuter clinics.
Thirty-five percent of dogs and cats in U.S. households are not spayed or neutered, yet the procedure is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population. Pit bulls are more at-risk to end up in shelters in large numbers due to myths and negative publicity, which impact public perceptions of the breed.
To reduce the number of pit bulls born into unplanned litters, PetSmart Charities®, the country’s largest funder of spay/neuter efforts, is launching “Primp Your Pit” – a public awareness campaign and grant program that will provide more than $394,000 to fund affordable, high-quality spay and neuter surgeries for 6,248 pit bulls in 24 states.
From August 1-31, the grants will support 49 non-profit spay/neuter clinics nationwide to provide $20 spay and neuter surgeries for pit bull terriers and pit bull terrier mixes which includes a free nail trim. PetSmart Charities also provides clinics with marketing materials and funding to advertise and promote the campaigns in their communities.
“The ‘Primp You Pit’ campaign helps reduce the homeless pet population by spaying/neutering thousands of at-risk pit bulls that would otherwise wind up in shelters because of unplanned litters,” said Aaron Asmus, program manager, PetSmart Charities, Inc. “We want to educate pet parents on the benefits of spay/neuter and provide affordable, high-quality surgery options nationwide.”
Follow PetSmart Charities’ pet-saving endeavors through Facebook (www.facebook.com/PetSmartCharities ) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PetSmartChariTs).
If you have a pit bull that is not fixed yet, or know anyone who owns an unneutered or unsprayed pit bull, PLEASE let them know about “Primp Your Pit” and how they can get a spay/neutering for as little as $20.00.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post. I am posting this for the benefit of pets in need.
Richard Hicks says
What a great program. Petsmart does a lot of good things like this and now making it more affordable
Rosie says
It is good to know about this! I’ll keep it in mind in case I encounter anyone who could use it.
Elisabeth says
This is so great! I will definitely spread the word!
courtney b says
i love pets mart! what a great program !:) although i’m still scared of pit bulls….!
Rust says
This is a program I can get behind too. Pits, imo, reflect their owner’s care and raising. I don’t believe they are inherently vicious, despite the way they’re portrayed in the media
Anne says
Thanks for sharing the info about Primp Your Pit. I agree that they can be very sweet (although I’m afraid to walk past our neighbor’s house because they have an aggressive pit bull who barks and lunges at the fence–eek!).
Wendy T says
I love the markings on the dog in the first picture. He is sooooo cool looking!
Tammy S says
I think it is so sad that pit bulls are stereotyped as “bad” dogs. I think a lot of it goes to the care and training the dog receives. I think it’s great what PetSmart is doing. I still find it hard to believe that as many as 35% of dogs and cats in homes are not spayed or neutered. Wow!
Diana Ward says
Our “pit bull mix” is a big (spayed) sweetie, but I have to agree with those who are afraid of aggressive pits. Even though more people are bitten by Chihuahuas, if a Chihuahua goes bad it isn’t likely to kill anyone. That said, dogs almost never “go bad.” Bad dogs are that way because they are, at the least, untrained. An untrained dog – or child, for that matter – is dangerous. Pitbulls were bred to fight bulls and dogs and to be meek with their owners, and most of them are very human submissive, especially if neutered or spayed.