Across the U.S. every year, approximately 3.3 million dogs will enter a shelter and over half a million adoptable dogs will be euthanized—with a majority of them being pit-bull-type dogs. Shelters and rescues are left struggling to house, care-for and place as many dogs as they can, often with restricted budgets and resources. This burden can be especially difficult for small and rural shelters that have limited staff and see little foot traffic, resulting in long kennel stays for homeless dogs. With our Pit Stop & Adopt program, Born Again Pit Bull Rescue works across the Pacific Northwest to increase the chances of finding the perfect forever home for these often overlooked dogs.

Through Pit Stop & Adopt, we visit the shelters as often as possible to meet adoptable dogs, gathering information and photos to promote and network them through social media and community events. This work, in addition to outreach on behalf of our community members, has helped more than 23 dogs find homes this year (353 since the organization began in 2007). We focus on those dogs that have been waiting for a home the longest, as the needs are more urgent and the stress of kennel life can be difficult for many dogs.

In 2017, our team was delighted to place three long term shelter dogs into loving forever homes; Max and Jane waited for over two years at the Del Norte County Animal Control shelter, and sweet Franklin, whose life had been far too rough prior to his shelter stay, waited for over two years at the Tillamook Animal Shelter.

BAPBR's Pit Stop & Adopt program also provides food, supplies, pre and post adoption assistance and volunteer help to small and rural shelters in need of additional support. Many rural shelters survive on the work of minimal staff and volunteers—they compete for community funds or small city budgets to cover basic needs, making it difficult for them to provide the animals anything beyond basic care. BAPBR establishes relationships with our partner shelters to better understand their unique needs and priorities and to improve the quality of life for the dogs in their care when possible.

In January, BAPBR volunteers delivered a truck loaded with food, toys and supplies to the Del Norte County Animal Control shelter, who had been experiencing food shortages that month. Earlier this October, our team purchased, assembled and delivered twelve Kuranda beds to Tillamook Animal Shelter, giving the shelter's dogs some extra comfort just in time for winter.

“Del Norte Animal Control LOVES Born Again Pit Bull Rescue! We are a small, county-run facility in Crescent City, CA with very little foot traffic and a limited pool of potential adopters. At any given time, at least half of our dogs are pit bull blends. BAPBR has helped us in so many ways! Not only do they help by networking our dogs to potential adopters in Oregon, they regularly visit our facility, take fantastic photos and videos of our adoptable dogs, and conduct home checks for potential adopters in Oregon. We have had several successful adoptions to Oregon as a direct result of BAPBR's efforts and assistance. They have donated toys, treats, and their time and expertise; shared information, ideas, and educational materials; and offered moral support!” -- Shelly & Liz, Del Norte Animal Control

Thanks to our volunteers, donors and community partners for helping us provide this vital assistance to small and rural shelters in need. BAPBR is looking forward to supporting partner shelters and placing more dogs into loving homes in 2018, but we can't do it without your help.  Whether you're interested in volunteering or donating, your contributions are vital to our mission.