The mission of Plenty of Pit Bulls is to bring people together to make good things happen for the dogs we love. We are a network and a resource for dog lovers who want to work on many levels — from hands-on rescue and care of individual dogs to larger-scale advocacy and education. We are located in Gainesville, Florida and work in Gainesville and surrounding areas, collaborating with groups from Ocala to Jacksonville. Above all, we are a community of dog lovers. We value commitment, conversation, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
Our mission includes rescue, advocacy, education, and above all, community building. Plenty of Pit Bulls started in fall 2010, when a small group of volunteers began supporting existing rescues by recruiting foster homes and paying pull fees for dogs placed on the euthanasia list at Alachua County Animal Services. Our name came from an initiative at ACAS, offering reduced adoption fees for pit bull type dogs, who make up around half the dogs at the shelter at any given time. As we learned about the many different pieces that are necessary to help dogs in need, we expanded and also refocused our efforts. In collaboration with different groups and shelters, we have helped save scores of dogs who would otherwise have been euthanized either at Alachua County Animal Services and other area shelters, including those in Levy, Putnam, Clay, Gilchrist, and Orange counties. We pull some dogs ourselves and also collaborate with other groups, in order to stretch rescue resources and help as many dogs as possible.
We focus on dogs labeled “pit bulls,” a broad category that includes a large proportion of the dogs in our region (and in shelters around the country). We concentrate on pit bulls because breed prejudice makes them less adoptable and subject to high rates of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. We also just love these dogs, for their playful, affectionate natures and generous hearts. Many of us live with pit bulls who are family dogs, agility dogs, therapy dogs, bed warmers, and sources of endless love and fun. We also learn from the many local and national pit bull advocacy groups. We always love to talk about dogs – please ask!
Plenty of Pit Bulls is a registered Florida nonprofit corporation and is authorized to pull dogs from the public shelters in Alachua, Levy, Orange, and Putnam counties. We also cooperate with UF’s Shelter Medicine program, local veterinarians, and individual rescuers to help care for and rehome dogs in need. Most of the dogs we pull ourselves are in need of treatment for heartworm disease, demodex, or injuries.
Nova (left) is being treated for heartworm disease. Her buddy Chelito has been adopted.
All our dogs live in foster homes, where they learn basic manners and we get to know their likes and dislikes, personalities, energy levels, and more, in order to make the perfect match with an adopter. In addition, of course, they get the veterinary care they need. Once dogs are healthy, vaccinated, neutered or spayed, and ready for adoption, we find them permanent homes, most often in collaboration with other rescue groups.
We do not have a kennel or other facility and cannot take in owned dogs, but we do try to help owners to resolve problems so they can keep their dogs or, if that is not possible, to rehome their dogs responsibly and safely. A good place to start is with BAD RAP’s tips for rehoming. If you found a stray, please visit our page on strays and also check out this advice from BAD RAP.
Ella has been adopted, but her mom keeps up her Facebook page.
We always need volunteers and good ideas. Please get in touch! We have an active Facebook community and fan page as well as face-to-face events.