Can we make a difference

[RachelAltner]

I am reading multiple blogs and been on numerous websites about how responsible pit bull owners need to raise awareness about the pit bull breed.  However, I am not seeing much action that is being done on a large scale.  We hear stories of individuals raising awareness or combatting breed discrimination, but I am not seeing a whole lot of group action that is being done.  There are also many websites and local organizations that are focused towards pit bull advocacy, however it seems as though only pit bull owners are attracted to these websites or events.

With that said, how can we significantly raise awarness to the general public?Major advocacy groups attempted something extreme that caught media attention.  A perfect example of this is Relay for Life where a man from California ran on a track for 24-hours to help raise awarness for cancer research.  I am not saying to run a track for 24-hours, but I think in order to reach out to a larger population, we as pit bull advocates need to perform some “outrageous” action to catch media attention.  This is probably idealistic, but why not attempt this for our best friends?

[bellasdad]

here in jacksonville, nc we get together and walk our pits every sunday weather permitting. i have been trying to think of a way to bring more positive attention to our breed but i don’t know exactly how, if you have any ideas let me know, im all about rufflin someones feathers!

[RachelAltner]

I would recommend to join the Pitbull Patriots group.  There are a number of ideas that are being thrown out there and hopefully something will come from it.  I have family members that have worked in the media and I will talk to them about what type of advacocy actions would catch the most media attention.  We are also trying to get our vets, rescue groups, even animal patrol officers to help with our efforts.  We need as many people as we can with this.

[RachelAltner]

Here’s an update on some ideas that were thrown around between my friends and I about pit bull advocacy and BSL education:

–> Idea #1: Hold an anti-BSL Walk-a-thon where every type of dog and responsible dog owner can take part.   Encourage people to set up booths in which BSL literature can be disseminated to educate people on the futility of these laws.  Also, there should be booths that cater to advocating any breed that BSL discriminates.

–> Idea #2: Join or create a community (local) anti-BSL group and write as many letters to your State legislators (and local government officials if need be) to either STOP BSL being passed or REPEAL current BSL laws in your state and/or community.  Also, try to send the same message (concern) to all news media outlets (both print and and local-TV) to not only voice your opinion, but include emperical evidence (i.e., statistics, research articles, etc.) that explain why BSL does not work.  It is always good to send in stories along with the message so people will make apositive connection with your message.  Try one step further and see if your anti-BSL group can speak during a city meeting to drive your message to the community.

Idea #3: Hand out flyers to your local pet stores, groomers, vets (even the bulletin board at Panera Bread!) explaining why BSL is discriminatory, futile, and just plain cruel!  Include resources (websites, anti-BSL groups, animal advocacy groups) that people can go to for more information.  Make sure to include this website, and other pit bull advocacy sites to further show people that BSL dwindles any chance of a good, loving pit bull finding a forever home, finding a good life, and more importantly, having the chance to live a life at all. 

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