News
A Team Effort to Rescue Gustav Dogs
November 08, 2008, 11:48AM MT
By Patty Meehan
Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Best Friends Working Together for Some Southern Bullies
Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Best Friends Working Together for Some Southern Bullies
By Kristina deLaune, BFAS Volunteer News Writer
Edited by Patty Meehan, BFAS Network Volunteer
As we all know, finding homes for animals in a shelter can be a hard thing to do. Mix in some American pit bull breeds and you have a real challenge! Recently, Jen Huber, Animal Care Specialist at Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter (JPAS) was faced with the task of re-homing 30 American Pit Bull Terriers who had come into the shelter following Hurricane Gustav. “It would have been easier to be elected President of the US,” Jen told us. But she was able to do the seemingly impossible, with a little help from some “friends.”
She began trying to accomplish this daunting task by first emailing 200 different rescues that specialize in placing American pit bull terriers. As Jen knows, these rescues are often full year round, so it was not a surprise when only three shelters were able to respond and offer space for these dogs. These three shelters, AdoraBulls Rescue, Country Kennel Bully Rescue, and Villalobos Rescue Center, “helped far more than could have been expected in a true hour of need.”
Best Friends then joined in the rescue team effort and helped transport the thirty dogs to their destinations. Best Friends also provided a generous grant to Villalobos Rescue Center in order to help pay for the construction of kennels needed for the incoming pit bulls. “The Great Pit Rescue 2008” as Jen likes to call it, was made possible by Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Best Friends Network, AdoraBulls, Country Kennel Bully Rescue, and Villalobos joining forces. What a great team effort! I’m sure these dogs very much appreciate it!
It was not only pit bulls that needed homes in Jefferson Parish and Best Friends was there once again to offer a helping hand. Jen was able to find homes in Ohio, New York, and New Jersey for twenty more dogs. Best Friends was kind enough to transport this troop of German shepherds, rottweilers, and smaller mixed breed dogs to their new homes. Again, what a team!
When asked how she decides what makes a good home for the animals at her shelter, Jen explained her detailed process. She checks into employment, residency, pet history, and history of animal care. She also checks with the potential adopter’s current veterinarian to make sure their companion animals are taken care of. Jen stated that, for American pit bull terriers, she usually requires a bit more detailed inspection, including personal references and a home visit, to rule out any possibility of the dog being adopted for any other reason than to be a loving family member.
If all is well, and there are no indications of past neglect or former shelter relinquishment, the adoption can be approved, and the animal is ready to go on to his/her new home.
One final thing Jen shared is that she pays attention to her instinct. Years of experience doing animal welfare work count for quite a lot. Meeting many people over the years and placing many animals into new homes has helped her develop a “feel” for people and their companion animal adoptees. Matching the right dog with the right person or family is essential. And sometimes, you just know.
Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter is a busy place and is very involved with the local community. Upcoming events to look out for if you live near or in the Jefferson Parrish area are Christmas with the Critters and Easter Eggstravaganza. JPAS also plans to have a Valentine event and is in the process of creating a summer camp for 2009. Jen will also be making appearances at schools within the community to give educational talks.
JPAS is open for adoptions Monday through Friday at 9:00- 5:00 and Saturday 10:00 - 3:00.
If you would like to help support the American Pit Bull breed, here are some tips:
• Visit and join the Best Friends Network ‘Stop Breed Specific Legislation’ interest group. Lots of great information!
• Spay or neuter your companion pit bull terrier.
• Adopt your next companion pit bull terrier from a shelter or pit bull terrier rescue group.
• Become informed about dog fighting, learning what to look for in your community and how to report incidents to your animal protection agency
• Become informed about the breed itself (great with children, great with other animals, all-around great companions).
• Donate to American pit bull terrier rescues (most rescues hold a non-profit status, and your donations are tax deductible). Pit bull terrier rescues, like most rescues, are operated primarily or solely on private funds/donations by caring individuals. The costs of caring for so many animals can be staggering. For example, a rescue that we spoke to has a monthly operating budget of $20,000, which breaks down to $600 a day.
Thank you to Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and Best Friends, and all the American pit bull rescues who are working so hard to help and promote this wonderful breed.
Photo of “Ava,” a Gustav dog, courtesy of Country Kennel Bully Rescue