BULL TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.

                   RESCUE NETWORK

How You Can Help

by Marilyn Sibley

The rescuing of Bull Terriers is a multi-faceted process. Most rescue volunteers foster AND do all the things below. For those of you are not able to foster, here are ways to help:

BE A ROLE MODEL AND ACTIVIST!

Reduce the need for Rescue! Encourage the people you come into regular contact with to practice responsible pet ownership. You know the drill. You've overheard all these scenarios and it is time to speak out.

How many times have you have the opportunity to discuss the following:

Want a dog? How long are you away from home during the day? Have ample time for grooming and training? Have funds for vet bills? Where will you be in five years? How will the dog fit in with your life then?

Don't give puppies at Christmas or for surprises.

Don't buy puppies from pet stores or buy from stores that sell dogs.

No, your bitch DOESN'T need to have one litter before you spay her. By just keeping "one of her puppies," you have brought 5 or 6 other dogs into the world. Do the math, what if EVERYBODY who has a dog feels the same way you do?

Kids want to see the "miracle of birth"? Rent the video. Or be sure to complete the life circle. Take them to your local shelter to see the horror of too many dogs.

Neutering your dog will prolong his life by avoiding cancer and roaming/fighting tendencies. Neutering your dog will not affect YOUR sexual prowess in any way.

Take your dog to obedience classes. 90% of dogs in shelters have never been trained. Dogs left outside alone develop problems. They get bored and they dig or chew. They get lonely and jump when you come home. You don't want to be jumped on so you go inside. The dog gets frantic and feels he didn't show you enough attention so jumps more the next time. Sound like a vicious circle? It is. Spend time with your dog.

You can make such a difference in how people perceive their pets by speaking out.

HOME CHECKS AND VISITATIONS

If at all possible, dogs being adopted should go into homes that have had a physical check. It's not hard. You know what Bullies need in the way of a home. Make sure the people have accurately filled out their forms. Do they really have a secure fence? Would you place one of YOUR dogs in this home?

Have prospective families come visit you and your dogs. How do they like the dogs? Are they afraid? Does the whole family seem as if this is a good choice for them? Is one partner much more "into it" than the other?

Talk about past pets. What happened to them? Tell them the downside of Bull Terriers. They should know worse case scenarios and be able to deal with them.

TRANSPORTATION

Can you volunteer to do shelter runs to make certain the dog is a Bull Terrier? Can you transport a dog to the vet? Can you transport a dog to a new home or a foster home? To the airport for shipping?

MENTORING

Can you volunteer to be a mentor to people wanting or just getting a Bull Terrier? Head off problems before they start? We spend hours on the phone with folks wanting basic info on the dogs. If you could help in this area, it would be tremendous.

ADOPT-A-THONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Can you be the point person to organize a table to represent Bull Terriers at local adopt-a-thons? Even if you have no dogs available for adoption, the exposure is great!

Many larger cities have runs that benefit the SPCA. Can you help organize BT owners (friendly dogs only, please!) in your area to participate? If there is not a run, can you organize a Bully Walk for a local park on Saturday or Sunday?

Can you man a table at an all breed show to answer questions about BTs? Volunteer to answer e-mail questions?

People often have a difficult time finding bull terriers to buy or adopt. Give them a chance to find you!

BULL TERRIER THINGS

Foster families need crates, food, biscuits, nylabones, toys, Missing Link, shampoo, vitamins, buckle collars, old towels and blankets. Most often this cost is absorbed by the foster family. A collar here, bottle of shampoo there, may not sound like much but adds up in a year. Can you organize a "rescue shower" at club meetings once or twice a year to provide these items?

CASH

Well, you knew this was coming! All rescue groups need cash. We will get a young BT needing surgery for a broken leg or heartworm treatment. We may need to ship a BT from one foster home to another.

Can you organize a garage sale to provide funds for rescue? Sponsor a raffle at the next meeting where the proceeds go to the vet expense fund? It doesn't need to be a Bully item. How about a gift certificate at a local restaurant, a basket of gourmet goodies and wine or home baked cookies or brownies?

UP TO YOU!

We want to know which idea YOU are going to try! Tell us what happened!

What have we left out? Tell us some ideas you have that will help rescue across the country.