We have two pit bulls. When we retire, we are traveling in an rv & pits, and several other breeds are not allowed, no matter how sweet they are. We've been trying to find homes for them, but it looks pretty bleak.
I have consulted our veterinarian, who put me in touch with someone. She said that she's had 3 friendly pits on the pit adoption website for 2 years. She advised me to put them down.
I've found a pit adoption website myself who have so many who weren't abused as mine were before I got them. They aren't being adopted because either your home owner's insurance will skyrocket or be cancelled. The people who want pits want them for all the wrong reasons. One wanted one for a warehouse guard dog. From my experience people who have guard dogs starve & abuse them to make them mean, as they do for fighting dogs. Someone else wanted one to hunt hogs. She has all of her dogs in cages outside & only brings them out to hunt. If I can't find someone who will treat them as pets, I'd rather put them down.
Footnote: we can't afford to stay in this house after we retire. The rv is not really a choice.
Retirement is not an option, either. I'm already out on disability & he will be soon.
We have been trying to turn public opinion of pits. We take one of them out to public functions in parks. Little kids play with both of them!
The news only shows the bad ones, which had bad owners. Dogs aren't bad by nature. They are trained to attack & kill & they can be rehabilitated. Dogs respond to love.
We've already explored all of the options. People who answer the ads want them for breeding (they're both 'fixed') or fighting, etc. We've been at this for almost 2 years.
nikko- Apparently you didn't read everything. Sometimes the plans you make do not work out. We did not plan to become disabled.The pits are rescues. sSmeone else was irresponsible. How old are you?
One more thing. I have been responsible my entire life. Not only for me, but for other people as well as animals. We can't anticipate what life will throw at us. Of the people I've taken in over the years only one has turned their life around.
well header, I'd rather be dead. I am going to list every option I can think of to get these dogs "seen" and hopefully adopted to wonderful homes. The problem is, the list isn't going to help if you don't take action. So put ads in newspapers even in newspapers that isn't in your own town, there are online classifieds like hoobly.com and oodle.com, put them on there. There is a website called petfinder.com you can put them on their classifieds and you can also do a search for shelters in your area. call these shelters and see if they know any one that is looking to adopt a pit or two. Some shelters may even be willing to put your dogs information on their own list of animals on petfinder - so if any one searches that shelter your animal will also pop up with your information. If they offer to do this, give them a picture!! People will fall in love quicker with a picture than just worlds describing how sweet a dog is. Call local vets and see if they have any clients that are looking for another dog. Put an ad on craigslist and up at super stores. If you have anyone interested in one of your dogs, ask if you can do a vet check on them. what that is, is them calling their vet and releasing their records for you to then call the vet and see if their previous animals (or current) have been to the vet and are up todate on vaccines and fixed (if you choose to have your dogs go to a home that fixes their animals) You can also "use" an application from any shelter as a base to make your own application so you know where your dogs are going. Also, usually if people say its ok to do the vet check, they have nothing to hid, its the ones that laugh at the idea that you need to stay away from. I really hope this helps. But remember you need to put in the extra effort if you want to find a great home for these guys. I wish you the best of luck!!
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January 28, 2009 at 01:46 am
If retirement meant I had to kill my dogs, I wouldn't retire. Easy.
You don't agree with the breed bans of many places? Then get involved to change it. And I find it hard to believe there isn't one place you could afford to live that won't allow your dogs.
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January 28, 2009 at 01:58 am
I was abused when I was young, dead is much better if it is never ending.
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life -
January 28, 2009 at 02:23 am
well header, I'd rather be dead. I am going to list every option I can think of to get these dogs "seen" and hopefully adopted to wonderful homes. The problem is, the list isn't going to help if you don't take action. So put ads in newspapers even in newspapers that isn't in your own town, there are online classifieds like hoobly.com and oodle.com, put them on there. There is a website called petfinder.com you can put them on their classifieds and you can also do a search for shelters in your area. call these shelters and see if they know any one that is looking to adopt a pit or two. Some shelters may even be willing to put your dogs information on their own list of animals on petfinder - so if any one searches that shelter your animal will also pop up with your information. If they offer to do this, give them a picture!! People will fall in love quicker with a picture than just worlds describing how sweet a dog is. Call local vets and see if they have any clients that are looking for another dog. Put an ad on craigslist and up at super stores. If you have anyone interested in one of your dogs, ask if you can do a vet check on them. what that is, is them calling their vet and releasing their records for you to then call the vet and see if their previous animals (or current) have been to the vet and are up todate on vaccines and fixed (if you choose to have your dogs go to a home that fixes their animals) You can also "use" an application from any shelter as a base to make your own application so you know where your dogs are going. Also, usually if people say its ok to do the vet check, they have nothing to hid, its the ones that laugh at the idea that you need to stay away from. I really hope this helps. But remember you need to put in the extra effort if you want to find a great home for these guys. I wish you the best of luck!!
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January 28, 2009 at 02:58 am
Keep trying until the last minute, then if you have to put them down at least you will have done the most you can. That is a sad story, hope you find someone to love them as you do.
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January 28, 2009 at 03:45 am
You don't say how old your dogs are and if they will be around when you do retire..The fact you knew this and got Pitts anyway shows you are irresponsible..Why just because you need an RV lifestyle must the dogs suffer?? I would stay in the house as you are now till they are no longer around..I am selling my motorhome because I cannot travel with so many so I choose to stay with them..My life with them is more important that traveling..Sell the house now and get one you can afford so that when you do retire you can afford a smaller home..RV life is'nt cheap
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January 28, 2009 at 04:21 am
Breed bans don't apply to those who are just "passing through"-they are for residents. You shouldn't have any problems traveling with your dogs.
If anyone asks about your dogs' breeds, tell them the dogs are terriers, or terrier mixes or lab/terrier mixes-no one can tell the difference anyway-or just mention a breed that resembles the pits-who can prove they are not what you say?
The advice you've been given is correct, though, it's hard to adopt these dogs out-if you can't find a rescue group that will place them into a foster situation, euthanasia probably would be the kindest thing (other than, obviously, just taking them with you).
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January 28, 2009 at 04:57 am
Do what you feel is the best for everyone - including the dogs. It honestly comes down to how much you're willing to give up for these creatures and what you're inclined in doing. If you feel that everyone would be better off if they were put down then put them down. If not, then you might want to rearrange you're retirement ideas. Things seemed bundled up at the moment, but that's because we live in world where people want to have their foot in ever matter which therefore complicates everything else around it.
I just want to let you know that if you put these dogs down it will not affect what I think about you. I won't think that you're an awful and heartless person because you would be doing it because you couldn't find any other alternatives. I know you'd rather know that they are in a "better place" than in some shit hole who knows where.
I personally don't agree with fixing or putting down animals in general because birth is all apart of the circle of life and death comes to all eventually. I still think that you should research a bit more and push on. I really do believe that if you truly want what's best for these dogs you will find it. Don't loose heart and Good Luck~~~
Remember: Wherever there's a will there's a way.
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January 28, 2009 at 05:43 am
this is a sad problem,….because you love them both and like-wise,
to be honest' I adore dogs, and to have them put down, hunts you for the rest of your life, [I know]
advertise in your local newspaper and stores,
believe me, someone will have them.
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January 28, 2009 at 06:33 am
I would make the drive to vandalia ohio if I really loved them the have a wonderful animal shelter and they find homes for 99 percent of their dogs they have. they will find a good home. even If It is a very long drive.
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January 28, 2009 at 07:15 am
dead NO.Life is a chance to struggle until death, to collect experiences and make good use of them-so fascinating to know how to live when others who do not wish to learn are falling rigt and left!
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