Graphic courtesy of spcaLA
Probably no surprise that pit bulls, pit bull mixes and other bully breeds are among the most common types of dog found in shelters. They’re also the most frequently euthanized.
This weekend, April 14 and 15, Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (spcaLA) will host—what else?—a Pittie Party at P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, with a pick-your-own-price adoption fee for qualified adopters, who can “pick their own price from 1 dollar to 1 million dollars,” according to spcaLA, when adding a participating Pit Bull to their family.
No, the bullies aren’t going to be given away like party favors—adoptive families will go through the same screening that they would if paying full price, filling out applications and meeting the guideline requirements, all available here.
And of course, no bully will leave the premises without a spay or a neuter—the state of being intact is how a lot of them wind up in shelters in the first place.
“Adoptable pit bulls get passed over—breed restrictions, misconception, and size make adoption an uphill battle for these pups,” said spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein. “Lately, we’ve been seeing more and more pit bulls coming in, so we did what anyone would do: we threw ourselves a Pittie Party.”
This Pittie Party is unarguably one of the best uses of “breed specific” there is. Creative ideas for getting pets out of the shelter and into the home have long been practical priorities of ACS, spcaLA and advocacy groups like Long Beach Animal Advocates (LBAA), and this is a good one. There are so many wonderful big guys and girls, with diverse personalities. All good. And some have been in there way too long.
“My hope is that the Pittie Party helps us find homes for some of our long-term residents while at the same time showing what great pets Pit Bulls can be when adopted by responsible pet owners,” said ACS Manager Ted Stevens.
And if you’re charmed enough by one of these goofy characters to take him or her home, well, bully for you!
The P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village comprises both spcaLA and ACS. It’s located at 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park. No parking fees for shelter guests.