BAD RAPBreaking the hyped-up media stereotypes of Pit Bulls "¦"bullies" want you to know they make great pets, love kids and love to play!
The American Dog reports Q: What year was BAD RAP established? Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible about Pit Bulls (BADRAP) was founded on April Fool's Day 1999! Q: Who runs the organization? Donna Reynolds is the co-founder and Executive Director. Q: What is the mission of your organization? Securing the future of the American Pit Bull Terrier as a cherished family companion. Q: What are the biggest obstacles to still overcome? We're constantly challenged to find better ways to beat back the media hype and help the public access balanced, accurate information about pit bulls. Unfortunately, the media has positioned itself as an "expert" on dogs and dog issues, including and especially on pit bulls "“ and they've created quite a werewolf throughout the last 20 years. The good news is that people really are starting to gain a healthy skepticism of the media, but we need to replace the fear they've been taught to wear with honest reality and good old-fashioned common sense. We have a long way to go, but the dogs are good at reminding us that life is more fun when you have a good challenge in front of you. Q: What are BAD RAP'S greatest accomplishments so far? Everyone in BAD RAP has a few heart-tugger rescue cases that stand out as personal favorites, but it goes without saying that working collaboratively with the various agencies to bring the Vick dogs home will be our lifetime "walk on the moon." Nobody's been able to break stereotypes like those 49 dogs from the backwoods of Virginia have. Q: What are your ongoing and current campaigns? We're busy partnering with progressive shelters to help them help the pit bulls inside their kennels and out in their communities. Currently, we're fine tuning an adoption program inside open-admission Oakland Animal Services. There are just too many homeless dogs or nearlyhomeless dogs competing for too few homes, so we're learning how to better utilize our resources so more can be saved and, ultimately, so fewer end up in crisis. Four times a year, we host shelter workers in week-long "˜Pit Ed Camps' that come to Oakland to focus on pit bulls and learn about shelter-based solutions. It's been a great way to meet and brainstorm with some of the most dedicated animal care workers in the country. Q: What would you like to tell the readers of The American Dog magazine? Pit Bulls are such patient teachers. I'm convinced that Jonny Justice and many of the other Vick dogs would wag their tails at Michael Vick if they ever saw him again "“ that's how forgiving they are. If we can just get out of our own way and let these dogs remind us about the importance of the human-animal bond and personal responsibility, we'll have evolved into a smarter, kinder more-civilized people. Q: Is there anything else you would like to say about your organization? Readers that may be interested in getting the inside scoop on Pit Bull rescue should check out our blog"”it's hoppin'! http://badrap-blog.blogspot.com
|
GREAT OPPORTUNITY
Special Promotion
Subscribe
START A MAGAZINE
New Product
