October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month — hooray! It’s a month to celebrate Pit Bull type dogs, bust myths about these breeds, and promote adoption of Pit Bulls.
Pit Bulls are often left at shelters and looked over by adopters because of harmful stereotypes. These dogs are loving and affectionate, and they deserve forever homes. Help spread the word!
Can’t figure out the best way to celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Month? Check out our recommendations and submit your own suggestions in the comments below!
9. Make It Viral
Dedicate your social media status updates to positive Pit Bull imagery, videos, and messages. Help generate some buzz and tear down the negative stereotypes of Pit Bulls!
Use the hashtag #PitBullAwarenessMonth to get the word out and show your support!
8. Help A Shelter Or Pit Bull Rescue
A lot of people think about volunteering at shelters and rescues but don’t actually follow through. Make this the month you sign up to volunteer or foster with your local rescue.
If you can’t volunteer, donate those old pet supplies, used toys, beds, old blankets or old crates or carriers to a local rescue group or organization. Call ahead and see what they need. Chances are good that you already have some items in your home that they can use!
7. Share Pit Bull Tales
Share stories and videos with children and young people about Pit Bull heroes like Stubby, sweet Pit Bulls like Sharky, amazing Pit Bulls like Ember who saved her human’s life, or Annie who nursed a litter of poodle puppies.
There are so many stories of awesome Pit Bulls out there. Fight the negative press they get with positive tales.
6. Focus On Pit Bulls
Refrain from attempting to elevate Pit Bulls by soiling the perception of another breed — for example, comments like “Everyone knows so-and-sos are the worst biters.”
When dogs of any makeup get the right training, care, and socialization, chances are they will grow up to be confident, gentle animals. There’s nothing to gain by shifting an undeserved rep somewhere else.
5. Watch Out For Outrage
Beware the media! I can say that because some of my best friends are writers and bloggers.
They love sensational stories that demonize particular types of — well, you name it — people, animals, foods, nations, etc. Outrage sells!
Negative stories get clicks, but they don’t get the whole picture, and they do irreparable damage, especially to Pit Bulls.
4. Teach Kids
Predispose younger generations to positive Pit Bull images and ideas by educating them on how to treat all animals with kindness and caution so that all their future interactions with all animals can be positive ones.
Make sure they know how to handle animals gently, the warning signs of dogs who don’t want to be approached, and how to respect animals’ boundaries. Both dogs and humans need to be trained early!
3. Get Political
Reach out to local politicians and let them know that you care about all animal rights and want to help educate people on the misinformation being spread in news and other media about Pit Bulls and other animals.
Unfortunately, many places ban Pit Bulls out of fear with breed specific legislation. Let your representatives know that you oppose these measures. They depend on your support and input.
If these laws already exist where you live, consider starting a petition, and get your neighbors involved. We can all work together to make sure Pit Bulls are allowed and respected in communities around the world.
2. Keep An Open Mind
Make an effort to avoid judging animals and humans based on their appearance, and don’t be afraid to point out to others when they’re judging a book by its cover.
What you see is not always what you get. We don’t like when people judge Pit Bulls by the way they look, so let’s help promote open-mindedness by setting a good example.
Understand that people often discriminate based on fear and ignorance. Shouting isn’t going to make them less afraid or uninformed. Education will.
1. Hug A Pit Bull!
Obviously take precautions and ask the pups’ humans if the dogs are friendly and open to hugs from strangers, but show your love to every Pit Bull you come across — keeping safety in mind.
Let Pit Bull parents know that you support them and think their dogs are awesome.
Take extra care to do all of this during National Pit Bull Awareness Month in October!
How else can people celebrate Pit Bulls this month? Will you help spread the word about Pit Bulls in October? Let us know in the comments below!
