Twenty thirteen was big year for both action and reflection for pit bull lovers everywhere. We're in heavy reflection mode in our own circles because BADRAP is about to celebrate its fifteenth birthday. And in that 15 year period - the lifespan of our founding dog Sally - we've watched a stunning shift from public disdain to positive acceptance for pit bulls across the country. Because that acceptance has been so widespread in recent years especially, we find ourselves ready to chart a new course for our organization to help meet a broader set of challenges. 

As our hero Nelson Mandela reminds: "After climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more to climb." So true! Yes, pit bulls are America's darlings again and some of the most popular dogs in the country. But a stubborn housing crisis, lack of training resources and other vexing problems facing dog owners is nipping at our heels. Please join us in enjoying the current warm and lovely vista before the new year calls us to pull on those hiking shoes and embark on the hills that are waiting for us.

We've all come so far together. Thank you for being such an integral partner in the work to secure the future for these lovely dogs and the people who call them family. 

Warm Regards,

Donna Reynolds, Director BADRAP 

We offer three ways to donate. Please consider giving a tax 

deductible gift to help us push this boulder up the hill in 2013 

for pit bulls and the people who call them family. Thank you!

EIN Number - 94-3397172

Rhonda meets a new friend at an Open House

So exciting ... In the past year, we enjoyed the strongest interest and quickest turn around on our Available dogs in the history of our group. We can credit some of this luck to more Open Houses and focused Facebook postings, but our bigger hunch is that the SF bay area has hit a new level of familiarity with the blockheads. We weren't surprised with Banfield Pet Hospitals called pit bulls out as the third most popular dog in CA. They're everywhere! Finally accepted as everyday, common place dogs, our conversations can simply stay focused on helping families identify the best personality for their lifestyle...As it should be! 

Where are the dogs coming from?

We spread our rescue net far and wide this year. Two dogs came to us from South Carolina 2013, one from Idaho, three from South Los Angeles County Animal Services, seven from Kern County, CA, three from Napa County, one from Shasta County, three from Santa Barbara AS, four from Yolo County AS, one from Sacramento County AS, one from Sacramento SPCA, two from Hayward AS, one from Fremont AS, two from Contra Costa AS and four from Berkeley Animal Care Services. 

Elton: A history maker from South Carolina!

Special dogs who made lasting impressions.

 

 Medical focus in 2013: 

Idaho cruelty survivor Loredo was very ill from a life of neglect when he came to us and needed extensive care including exploratory surgery to remove obstructions. Senior dogs Sassy and Corndog came from a hoarding case in Southern CA and needed TLC including a mouthful of dental work. Mosey had an old foxtail deep in her ear. Former Vick dog Zippy blew out her knee and needed a TPLO surgery. Senior hoarding case survivors Alma and Jimmy needed steady care including a mass removal for Jimmy. Harpo needed some patching up after a life of neglect. In addition to these bigger medical cases, we spent close to $22,000 for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries for out outreach clients. All dogs are doing well thanks to the kindness of our donors who keep our vet bills in check. Thank you!

 

Improvements at our home base: 

In 2013, after three years of steady improvements, we enjoyed housing the dogs in a now-completed Rescue Barn - no major upgrades needed. Hooray! Instead, we used a generous grant from Lush Cosmetics

to build an obstacle course for the dogs. Called 'Dog Mountain,' this addition has been especially helpful to improving weakened dogs' balance,  focus and physical confidence. And besides, it's just plain fun for everyone.

 

Right: Farnam on the left came to us from a hoarding case with horribly atrophied legs after living in a dog crate for an untold number of difficult months. Good nutrition and daily exercise including climbs on 'Dog Mountain' brought his muscles right back into working order. Loni (right) was not comfortable with dogs when she first arrived, and used the equipment to play 'keep away' and hold an advantage over dogs until she felt comfortable with them.

Sharing our best tricks and tips for helping the dogs with like minded animal welfare workers is a favorite part of our work. Pit Ed Camps kept us busy this year, as well as presentations at both the CA Animal Care Conference and the oh-so-inspiring New Mexico Humane Conference. We've also started updating our website to include our most popular materials specifically designed for animal shelters who are looking to improve their policies and programs that benefit all dogs, including the block heads.

The biggest mind meld happened at our first annual Rescue Jam in May, where sixty five rescue and shelter workers gathered at the Rescue Barn to discuss the future of rescuing and placing dogs identified as pit bulls. Two days of presentations, demonstrations and round table discussions had everybody asking for more. We look forward to a repeat in 2014.  

  A Special Project in Idaho

We were called out to Idaho to give initial behavior evals of 65 dogs swept up in a dog fighting case. 

Info Link.  It was an emotional experience, captured in this VIDEO slideshow created by photographer Lori Fusaro. We're deeply indebted to the Idaho Humane Society for agreeing to house the dogs and for committing to their placements through to the end. They are our heroes.

A New Day in Toledo 

Our work brought us back to Toledo, Ohio this year to help with six very special history making dogs - the first group of pit bulls from a fighting situation to be evaluated for rescue placement in this county. Lucas County saw phenomenal change for the better thanks to the work of compassionate new Dog Warden Julie Lyle and her staff at Lucas County Animal Care and Control, rescue/advocacy group Lucas County Pit Crew and the help of a new, non-discriminatory behavior-based state law. It was an honor and a privilege to return to the chilly Toledo temps to help out where we were able. News Link 

We then left for a location in the southeast with a team of ten Badrappers to help a large group of pit bulls who've been swept up in a multi-state federal dog fighting raid that saved 367 dogs from a life of misery. News Link Our evaluations will help with placement decisions for the dogs as they are able to be released to rescues in upcoming weeks and months. 

Generous Partners

Many thanks to Dr. Noe, Beth Garland and the staff of Well Pet Vet Clinic, for helping us chip away at our spay/neuter goals in 2013 and beyond. We look forward to a busy new year together.

We offer three ways to donate. Please consider making a tax 

deductible gift to help us push this boulder up the hill in 2013 

for pit bulls and the people who call them family. Thank you!

EIN Number - 94-3397172