Courts Release Dogs From Raid into Custody of Humane Society of Missouri

Did you hear the great news? The Humane Society of Missouri made a press release announcing that two districts involved in the huge Missouri-based dog fight raid and rescue released the dogs into their custody! Isn't this fabulous! So many people were worried these dogs wouldn't have a chance. Well, here ya go folks; they're getting it!

Now, are you ready for him? Eddie Munster, formerly Eli, was released to Mutts-n-Stuff on behalf of New Hope Pit Bull Rescue Wednesday, October 14, 2009! Mutts-n-Stuff will be caring for Eddie until we're able to make it out there at the end of October.

Doesn't he just make you weak at the knees? Our hopes for Eddie are high, as he will be one of 2 dogs from the MO bust that we will be training to become therapy dogs. A third dog coming to New Hope Pit Bull Rescue already has an adoptive home lined up and will attain her CGC certification prior to her adoption being complete.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate breed that is good with children and adults alike. It should come as no surprise that Pit Bulls make great therapy dogs. Just look at Leo, one of the dogs seized from the property of Michael Vick back in 2007. A former bust dog turned therapy dog and a major contributor to the health and well being of so many people!

Therapy dogs play such a vital role in the lives of many people. They visit hospitals and nursing homes; helping to fulfill the emotional needs of patients, doctors, nurses and every life they touch. My own son and family even enjoyed an entertaining visit from a therapy dog when he spent his first birthday in the hospital at MUSC. Therapy dogs are also used in literacy programs and visit libraries and schools, spending time with children or adults who may have difficulty learning to read. These are only a few of the jobs that therapy dogs do, for there are many many more!

We feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to help with the Missouri dogs, and we are grateful for the relationships we've built over the last few months with groups like HSMO, Mutts n Stuff and Our Pack, as well as people from organizations like the Real Pit Bull. We truly hope that by teaming up with such a wonderful group of organizations and people, and working to bring some of the Missouri dogs home to South Carolina, we'll be given the chance to help save dogs seized in fight busts and abuse cases right here in our own state.

There are still many more dogs at the secret location in Missouri who need our help, as well as dogs right here in our own area shelters. If you are interested in fostering a dog for New Hope Pit Bull Rescue, please visit our web site and fill out a foster application today. These dogs need you to help us help them!

Friendly Advice About Checking Rescue References

This info actually came from a yahoo group (Pit-Bull-Crusaders) that we are a member of, but we thought it was great info to share with with anyone looking to place a dog with a rescue, looking to adopt from a rescue or even those people interested in volunteering a the rescue.

If the rescue hesitates to provide references, ask yourself, "Why?"

What to Ask For?:

1) Vet Reference(s)-----> Is this a new vet for them? If so, ask for the name of the one they used before. Some people move because of bad rescue practices which could indicate substandard veterinarian care for their animals.
2) Have they filed paperwork with their local government to be recognized as a non-profit organization? Verify it.
3) Local Shelter reference and number
4) Local Animal Control and number
5) At least (2) adoptive homes that the rescue has adopted to
6) Local rescue group(s) that they have worked with on any level

There are many more things you can ask about beyond this list. What is important to you? Who might have that answer? How well does the rescue know their chosen breed? Are the animals handled and placed appropriately? We've heard some pretty disheartening stories regarding the outcome of animals who were not managed appropriately and were set up to fail.

Keep in mind too that sometimes a rescue's references may not tell the whole story about who they are as a group. We've heard stories about people who are engaging in unethical treatment of their animals, but they are good friends with Animal Control who overlooks it. We've also heard of another rescue that is notorious for abandoning animals in their foster home. I don't know WHY any rescue would want to treat a foster home that way, but it happens!

You can call a vet to see if they see their animals, but do you have proof that ALL of their animals are being seen there? (I'm of the personal opinion that a dog should at least be seen by the primary vet for a health checkup, even if all the procedures were done at a separate location). I've heard stories from people about adopting a dog only to realize it had NEVER seen a vet while in the rescue's care. That's absolutely frightening! Get those vet records BEFORE you adopt!

The point to all of this is to not settle for one good answer. Get as many answers and opinions as possible!

And yes, we are inviting any of you to check us out :) You can email us at info@nhpbr.org. If you have thing else you think is pertinent to this blog post, let us know that too!

Thank you everyone!

A New Look :)

As you may have noticed, we're in the process of changing things up a bit in the way our site looks. We've chosen a new layout for our website so please feel free to tell us what you think about it. As our group grows, the layout and content of our site will likely grow with us :)

In other news, we have a new event scheduled! Thank you Amie for finding the venue!



Come meet us on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Parson Jack's Cafe in West Ashley! We'll be there from 11-3. We're going to have some goodies for both people and pooches alike so be sure to stop by!

Also, local artist Chris Sullivan will be playing later that evening so be sure to stick around to see him perform. You're sure to like him! Check out his music here!

ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ Launches in Charleston

Community Joins Collaborative Campaign Aimed at Creating A Nation of Humane Communities, One Community at a Time


CHARLESTON, April 22, 2008—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®), in partnership with three animal welfare groups in Charleston County, SC., today launched “ASPCA Mission: Orange™” — a collaborative effort to create a “humane community” by curbing the needless euthanasia of adoptable pets.

Read more about Mission: Orange