Annabelle's Second Chance Pit Bull Rescue

Who we Are:

Annabelle's Second Chance is a small private foster home based rescue located in Central Virginia to Central and Eastern North Carolina. We officially began our organized rescue efforts in the Summer of 1999 even though we have been unofficially rescuing homeless pets for our entire lives and been involved with the breed since the early 90s. Our rescue began with a quest to rescue and adopt out a wonderful pit bull named Annabelle who has become our mascot and namesake. Annabelle's Second Chance received its 501(c) 3 June 2005.

Mission:

Our mission is to rescue domestic animals from cruelty, neglect, abandonment and to teach responsible pet ownership. We work specifically with the bully breeds but occasionally open our doors to cats and other mixed breeds. We also work with local humane agencies, all breed rescues and individuals to help them place their adoptable bulldogs.

We are also very passionate about spaying and neutering and promoting this to all that will listen. The animal population is in a crisis that will only stop when we alter any and all stray/owned animals.

Goals:

Rescue adoptable bulldogs and place them in appropriate homes one dog at a time. Promote spaying and neutering. Help owners find appropriate placement for their dogs that they are no longer able to care for.

Pit Bull Rescue Code of Ethics

Why?

There is no easy answer to that question. As unpaid volunteers, this means that time is taken away from our loved ones, our dogs, our friends, ourselves. Rescue is very stressful and often very heartbreaking. The rewards of saving that very special dog and finding it a loving family gives us the strength to continue. We care deeply about unwanted dogs and because we can help. To us, these are living, breathing creatures with feelings. They are not *just dogs*. They are part of our hearts.

How many do you help?

We do not set a yearly limit of how many dogs we help. We approach each dog as an individual spend the time as it takes to ensure that the dog is ready for adoption. It isn't about quantity, it is about quality. You can look through our Happy Gallery to get an idea of how many we have placed each year. Our dogs generally stay in rescue between 3-6 months or longer. It takes at least that long to fully vet a dog and have a good idea of their temperament and adoptability.

Euthanasia policy:

We are not a no kill facility and unfortunately have been faced with the grim task of euthanasia. If, during a dog's time in rescue, we learn that the dog is not of sound temperament or has a terminal medical condition for which there is no treatment or for which the treatment exceeds our budget or that of a potential adopter, we will have the dog humanely euthanized. This is not a decision we enjoy making nor one that we take lightly. We will make every effort to correct medical problems when we can. Prior to euthanizing the dog for bad temperament, we will verify that there is not a medical cause. Dogs with genetically poor temperament don't get better, only worse. Since we work with "pit bulls" and believe in preserving the breed as it should be (see breed info), we will not put the breed in jeopardy by adopting out a dog that has shown any signs of aggression towards people, regardless of how small.

Click here for a tribute to those who can not be saved

page updated - June 01, 2008

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