Penny needs a home.. ETA Good News!

[barbara]

I'm in search of a good home for my son's American Staffordshire Terrier Penny. He raised her from a puppy- she's 21/2 yrs old, has dark brown fur & weighs about 55 or 60 lbs. She has a great personality, very loving & playful. My son had to relocate to a place that doesn't allow pets.

I made arrangements to keep her for a month, but am not able to take her permanently. If I could I would!

Any suggestions or contact names anyone can give would be totally appreciated, we're desperate to find Penny a loving home. She's here with me in central NJ, but I'm open to delivering her to a different area.

This sux. : ( : (

[michele5611]

Hi Barbara,
I am sorry that you are faced with this predicament of trying to find Penny a home. The reality of it is that the breed is in dire straits. Pit Bulls are being put down in large numbers. Rescues and shelters are inundated with Pit Bulls at the present time. Simply put there are not enough responsible homes for all the dogs.

I know you mentioned that you are not able to keep Penny permanently. I am not sure what your current situation is but is there any way you would be able or willing to keep her longer than a month in order to try and find her the right home?

I have attached the Real Pit Bull information on owner surrenders.
www.realpitbull.com/surrenders.html

I am sorry that at the present time I can not be of more help or offer you any suggestions or contact names. If you have any additional questions please let me know.

[maryellen]

all the rescues are overfull and have a waiting list.. is there any way your son can find a bully friendly apt? or rent a private house from someone who is bully friendly? he can check on www.craigslist.com for apts.

or, if he can move more north there are bully friendly apts where i live

[barbara]

Thanks for moving this to the proper place & for the replies.

I read thru the link about surrenders, thx for posting it..

My son's situation with Penny was tipped over the edge when his relationship broke up & he had to find a new living situation immediately, but even before that he struggled with the issue of time. He worked several jobs & was also taking classes. Starting August he'll be in pharmacy school full time & also working.

He simply didn't comprehend the level of time needed to care for an active young dog when he got Penny. With the help of his now ex g/f he did his very best for her, and it shows in Penny's sweet & loving spirit. Now I'll do my best to find her a place, but what I read in the link was pretty discouraging. : (

Thanks again for the replies.

[RealPitBull]

Hi Barbara, did Penny come from a breeder?

[barbara]

Hi, Mary. : )

No, she didn't. My son's friend 'bred' his 2 pits & Penny was one of the litter. Grrrrr on the topic of amateurs doing things that should be left to professionals.

I've been looking into Penny's clear, beautiful eyes today & wondering what the future holds for her. : (

[maryellen]

try www.outofthepits.org and www.animalfarmfoundation.org they are the only 2 reputable rescues around

[michele5611]

Barbara,
Def. contact the two orgs. that Maryellen mentioned above. If you do find a potential adopter for Penny RBP would be more than happy to help you with the screening process. Keep us posted!

[maryellen]

also please note, it takes longer then a month to find a responsible breed savvy home, some dogs sit in foster care for more then a month to ensure that they find the best home possible. also, if the dog is not spayed, get her spayed before adopting her out, as if you adopt her out intact she will become a breeding machine and treated very poorly. you can also list her on petfinder.com , www.pbrc.net and see if that helps, however pbrc dogs must be spayed and proof is required .

[sugar]

I fully agree with Maryellen, get her spayed ASAP if she isn't already (local ASPCA's usually do it for free or low cost). Its sad how many female pits are taken in and used as breeding machines (pits are profitable for the most unethical, horrible people in most cases). I would try to hold on her her if you could for more than a month (and in the time you have her try to train her in basic manners and socialize her because it will help her chances of finding a good home).
Please let us know how things are going with Penny

[barbara]

Thanks you so much everyone, the info & support really helps. : ): )

Penny is good to go--up to date on innoculations, and she was spayed when she was a pup.

She has another strike against her in terms of adoption tho, a heart murmur she didn't outgrow. She shows no symptoms, but needs to take a beta blocker called atenol 2x a day. A 3 month supply only costs $10 at WalMart.

I asked my son to get copies of her records so they can be passed on, and I have a 3 month supply of medicine for her here.

Poor Penny. Poor Pitties in general.


I was so disappointed this morning--I ran into someone at my doctor's office who just lost a pit & for a moment was hopeful she might consider taking in Penny. But she said she wasn't interested in being a multiple dog household anymore...

Is there a way to get a temperament assessment done by RPB? Seems like it would be a really good thing to be able to mention that was done when contacting rescue groups or placing ads. Dunno if there's a formal charge, or I could make a donation?

[barbara]

ETA- Penny knows basic commands like sit, down, roll over, come....


altho knowing them & being cooperative in doing them are 2 separate things as we know lolll. one on one with no distractions & a food reward handy she is a model canine haha. her friendliness & exuberant nature make listening a challenge when there are distractions...

[barbara]

I've been reading thru the rescue links, thx again for posting them. I took some pictures of Penny, here's one that captures that pit personality. I've been talking to every Tom, Richard & Harriet I've run into, if I could just connect with the right person I know Penny's lovable ways will do the rest!

[barbara]

...this one shows her dark brown color a bit better. : )

[michele5611]

Barbara,
She is adorable....I love love her ears!!

The important thing is to try and not get discouraged. I know others have mentioned it but the thing to remember is it may take longer than a month to find Penny the right responsible home. It often takes longer to find a pit bull the right home than say another breed. Penny is lucky to have you!

[barbara]

Thanks, Michele. : ): )


I'm used to a wimpy bag 12 yr old ShihTzu named Molly so being around Penny has been an eye opener lol. We had a thunder storm the other nite & it didn't phase her in the least. Molly is such a wreck when there's thunder she needs to be tranked since she's gotten older, poor thing. She's staying with my cousin while Penny is here because she's petrified of other dogs, any dogs. She's just a mass of phobias lol.

I feel a responsibility toward my dog, just wouldn't feel right about giving her up, this is her home. We did try having Molly & Penny in the same place for a week on my son's last trip up & it was a disaster-- not because Penny was doing anything wrong but because Molly is such a wimp. She was so stressed out she got herself sick. I knew better than to even try it this time around.

I can't keep Penny indefinitely, but I intend to hang in there & work with the recommended rescue groups. In addition to the Molly issue a young, active dog is just too much dog for me. Penny needs to be somewhere people can give her the activity she needs. She loves to play!

[barbara]

I sent e-mails to 3 rescue organizations & have not had even a reply. Only 1 had a telephone number--it went into voice mail & the message said they do not accept owner surrendered dogs.

No responses from all the people I've asked to ask around, either.

I put her up on Petfinder today, but I see what you guys are saying, there are a gazillion pits on there...

[catstina]

It can be very difficult and frustrating trying to rehome a dog, especially a pit. I'm not sure where you are located, but The Simon Foundation ( simonfoundation.cmcconnell.com/ ) is a very good No Kill shelter in Connecticut. They do ask a donation with owner surrenders, though. I hope you can find some place for Penny!

[barbara]

I appreciate the link, Catstina. It looks like a place with a good heart. : )


It may come down to a shelter placement for Penny. I'm in NJ but if it does I'd certainly travel to get her to one like that. Thanks.

[barbara]

Yay, it looks like Penny has a new home!!

One of my sister's co-worker's & her friend were looking for a pit. When they heard about Penny's plight they wanted to meet her. I brought Penny to their place on Saturday & they really liked her. They are experienced pet owners & know about the breed. After talking with them for awhile I felt good about leaving Penny with them for a day so they could interact with her in the daily routine & get a feel for how it would work.

I heard from them today & they'd love to keep her! I'm soooo happy & relieved for Penny. The new owners are young & active, have a big piece of property & spend a lot of time outdoors. Penny is able to release her energy with them & they're enjoying her a lot. Sometimes there really are happy endings!!

Thx so much for the support & good advice, it meant a lot. You guys are a great bunch. : ): )