Pit Bulls turn up in rescues and shelters for a number of reasons. Most commonly, it’s because their previous owners didn’t think things through when they decided to get a Pit, or were inexperienced dog owners. It’s also possible the dog did not get along well with other pets in the house, or with other dogs in the neighborhood.

Some Pits were taken from illegal dogfighting operations. If this is the case, the rescue will let you know it. Such a dog will require extra care and rehabilitation from an experienced owner. Usually, the rescue group will want to monitor such a dog, and adopt him out to a family that lives nearby.

A search will turn up a number of Pit Bull rescue groups, all of which screen their animals carefully for temperamental and health problems. But rescue groups don’t stop their investigation there — they’ll turn an eagle eye on you as well. Most rescue groups will do anything they can to ensure that a dog they place doesn’t end up homeless again. They’re very picky about where their dogs end up. As one rescue I worked for put it, “We don’t find the dog for a family. We try to find the best family for the dog.”

It’s best to do your part to make sure you can be the “forever owner” a rescue dog is looking for. Choose your animal carefully. Do your research about any legal or insurance issues that may arise, and make sure your home can be his for the duration. Are you ready to find your own Pit? Contact your local animal shelter, and ask them to call you when a Pit Bull becomes available. Or you could start your search online now by trying one of the many Pit Bull rescue sites, such as adopt-a-pit-bull.1-800-save-a-pet.com/.