They’re on the journey of a lifetime.

Twenty-seven of the canine victims rescued in the largest dogfighting bust in U.S. history are on their way to new lives.

The transport was arranged by Best Friends Animal Society. The dogs are on the road from St. Louis, Missouri, to Sacramento Animal Care Services in California where they will be met by folks from Butte Humane Society of Chico, California;  Family Dogs New Life Shelter of Portland, Oregon; and A New Hope Animal Foundation of Auburn, California, who are providing safe haven for 24 of the dogs. (See a video featuring the dogs who are being transported.)

Three of the dogs – Haus, Layla and Joy – will continue their journey with Best Friends staffers to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where they will receive the state-of-the-art care that Best Friends is known for, to get them ready for loving, forever homes. Keep an eye on the Best Friends website at www.bestfriends.org for future stories about Haus, Layla and Joy.

Since July, the dogs, along with some 500 other rescued dogs and puppies, have been cared for by the Humane Society of Missouri and volunteers from various rescue groups at an emergency shelter in St. Louis.

“They’re great dogs,” says Ed Fritz, campaign specialist for Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dog, one of four Best Friends campaigns aimed at reaching the goal of No More Homeless Pets. “What these dogs need more than anything else is safety, security and compassion. These dogs deserve the opportunity to live their lives as part of a family.”

By nature, pit bulls are gentle, loving and loyal.

“Dogs are companion animals and pit bulls are dogs,” Fritz says. “Therefore, pit bulls are companion animals.”

Ethan Gurney, a Best Friends’ animal care specialist who’s also traveling with the dogs, agrees.

“They’re very good-natured and very sweet,” Gurney says. (Ethan and Joy pictured on right.)

Fritz said seeing the dogs leave was bittersweet for Humane Society of Missouri staff and volunteers who’d been caring for them for the past four months. They’re going to miss them, but they’re happy to see them going on to new lives.

“They really did a great job taking care of these dogs,” Fritz says.

How you can help

Here’s some information from Humane Society of Missouri’s website on how you can help the dogs still in their care at the emergency shelter.

Donations

Donate to the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Fund.

Donate toys suitable for puppies and large dogs, peanut butter, newspaper and towels for use at the emergency shelter. Donations may be dropped off at Humane Society of Missouri Headquarters, 1201 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 | phone: (314) 647-8800
 
Placement of dogs

Qualified rescue groups or experienced individuals who are interested in providing permanent homes for the dogs should contact the Humane Society of Missouri by e-mailing pwhitcraft@hsmo.org or calling 314-802-5712.

For more information, click here. 

Best Friends Animal Society is working throughout the country to help pit bulls, who are battling everything from a media-driven bad reputation to legislation designed to bring about their extinction. Best Friends hopes to end discrimination against all dogs. Dogs are individuals and should be treated as individuals. Find out how you can help these wonderful dogs by visiting Pit Bulls: Saving Americ'as Dog.

Photos by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer.