Instructions
Gain experience in all aspects of animal sheltering before starting a rescue group. Visit and volunteer at an animal shelter or another rescue group. Attend training or workshops offered by animal welfare and advocacy groups. Network or partner with more established groups.
Research legal requirements for a pit bull rescue in your area. Secure all required licenses and permits. Obtain liability insurance, which often means incorporating first. Evaluate and determine if charitable status -- 501c3 nonprofit status -- is best for your organization. It's often both expensive and time-consuming to pursue, but doing so lends credibility to your organization and allows donors to offset gifts against their taxes.
Develop a scope of work. Determine what pit bulls you will and will not take. Many established pit bull rescues have endorsed the "Pit Bull Rescue Code of Ethics" to ensure that they are placing only the best representatives of the breed. Specify where you will get pit bulls. Will you take owner surrenders or limit intake to dogs in animal shelters? Determine where you will house dogs awaiting adoption.
Identify your geographic area. Research area animal shelters, noting pit bull intake and euthanasia statistics. Establish relationships with the leadership of these shelters.
Establish relationships with one or more local veterinarians, preferably those supportive of your mission. Some veterinarians will discount products or services for rescue groups. Determine what routine medical care should be included with adoption. At a minimum, all dogs should be spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
Develop a budget. Identify what it will cost to rescue, feed, vet and rehabilitate rescued pit bulls. It often takes longer to find a home for a pit bull. Factor in this extra time when quantifying costs. Plan for unplanned illnesses or injuries. Many rescuers believe they can cover emergencies with donations or adoption fees, though this is rarely the case. One emergency can deplete all available funds. Establish an adoption fee that covers the basic costs for a typical dog. You might vary the fee for gender or age, but try to be competitive with shelters in your area.
Utilize a range of methods for advertising available dogs. Register with websites such as Petfinder.com and Adoptapet.com. Design flyers for posting at local veterinarians, pet stores and dog parks. Inquire about hosting a dog adoption event at a local pet supply store, book store or other venue. Network with those who may know of people looking to adopt a pit bull.
Develop adoption policies and procedures. Speak with more established groups about adapting their adoption forms -- both application and contract -- for your use. Determine answers that might disqualify a potential adopter. Establish follow-up procedures and a return policy should an adoption fail.
Devise a fundraising strategy. Approach local businesses with an organized request for support. Develop a corporate sponsorship program. Ask local pet supply stores about donating short-dated or damaged bags of dog food. Place donation jars at area businesses. Sell products such as T-shirts. Put together events such as dog washes and holiday photo events.
Recruit volunteers to help in your mission, especially foster homes to house and care for dogs while they await adoptive homes.
How to Open a Rescue for Pitbulls
In 1921, the nation celebrated as General Pershing honored a pit bull hero named Stubby, who saved human lives across 17 World War I battles. Little more than a half a century later, "Sports Illustrated" warned, ̶0;Beware of this Dog̶1; in a 1987 cover featuring a ferocious-looking pit bull. Pit bulls flooded into animal shelters as fear and prejudice took hold. Today, more than half of the dogs euthanized in our nation's shelters are pit bulls, according to Best Friends Animal Society. Shelters are overwhelmed and need assistance from breed rescuers willing to house, rehabilitate and rehome pit bulls.