Application Screening
In order to help you find caring and responsible individuals to adopt the dog(s) you are trying to place, we have created this page. It will help you screen the applications you receive from PBRC by providing a few tips and suggestions for your screening process. The applicant has been informed that PBRC offers a pre-screening service only, and that the final adoption approval lies with you.
Please keep in mind that applications for the dogs listed in PBRC come from all across the United States, from Canada, and even from foreign countries. It has been our experience that the larger percentage of applications we receive fall into a few categories: 1) individuals who do not have good intentions for these dogs, 2) individuals who want unspayed or unneutered dogs to breed, 3) individuals who are too young to understand the responsibilities associated with owning a dog, or 4) those who have big hearts but unsuitable homes. Even so, there are wonderful people applying for pit bulls in need.
Because there are good applications offering good homes, PBRC has been instrumental in many excellent placements since its creation. We ask that you keep the following information in mind as you very carefully review applications sent to you from our volunteers. When you respond to an applicant, we suggest that you address any concerns you may have.
The first step when you review an application should be to note all the points you would like to address with the applicant so you have a list handy when you talk to them for the first time. Your first correspondence could be a request for clarification, if needed, and more information about the home. If you are satisfied, the next step should be to call the applicant and talk about the dog as well as the family's home situation. If you are still considering the applicant as a potential adopter for your dog, the next step should be to contact the references and ask them questions about the applicant.
It is your responsibility as a caretaker to make sure you place the dog with caring and responsible individuals.
If you haven't done so already, please take the time to read PBRC's breed information as it contains vital information for pit bull owners and caretakers.
Applicant Under 18 - If an applicant is under 21 years of age, and/or indicates that he or she lives at home, PBRC's response to the applicant has stated that it will be necessary for their parents to contact you and provide approval of the application. Remember that most rescuers and shelters require that an applicant be 21 years of age or older. We strongly believe that these dogs not be placed with people under 21, unless their parents have fully agreed to take legal responsibility for the dog. Note that many dogs listed in PBRC are given up by young owners who didn't have the maturity nor a stable environment in which to provide a safe, long term and committed home for a dog.
Feel free to ask the parents to complete PBRC's application. If you do a homecheck, you should ask to meet all the members of a family before the adoption can be completed.
Municipal restrictions and breed bans - PBRC recommends that you not place a Pit Bull in an area where the law forbids them. If you do, and local authorities become aware that the adopter has an "illegal' dog, the best result would be that the dog would be returned to you. However, the more likely result is that the dog will be seized and euthanized. Please check with the applicant's municipality about breed specific legislation, if you have any doubts.
Verification of landlord acceptance - This is an item that should also be checked closely since refusal by landlord could result in a dog being immediately returned to you. Much worse, the adopter may instead give up the dog to another person or even a shelter. You should also ask the landlord how long the tenant has lived at this address. Moving is the number one reason why people get rid of their dogs.
References - PBRC's application process no longer allows individuals to send in their applications without at least one reference's name and phone number. The application suggests that the reference listed be the applicant's current or previous veterinarian, employer, clergyman, or anyone not related to the applicant who can attest to their character. PBRC strongly feels that closely checking references is one of the most important steps a caretaker can take.
Out-of-state - If you are not able to meet the applicant in person, it becomes even more important to very closely check their references. You could also ask the applicant to collaborate with the screening process by providing the name and phone number of a local animal shelter. You should call the shelter and ask them to conduct a home check for you. If the shelter is unable to do so, ask if they will provide you with the name of a local rescue group or individual who might be willing to do so. The more cooperative the applicant is with this, the better the indicator of whether or not they will provide a good home for the dog.
Same-sex dogs and dog-aggression - Because of their special heritage of fighting dogs, Pit Bulls may develop dog-aggression as they mature. When adding a Pit Bull to an household with another dog, dog-aggression can sometimes be lessened by adding a dog of opposite sex from the one already in the home. Aggression issues are very often intensified when dealing with same sex dogs. Note that many dogs listed in PBRC are looking for a new home because they can no longer get alone with another dog in the house. Your best chance to make sure that same sex dog aggression will not be the reason for a dog's return, is to place your dog as either the only pet, or with one compatible dog of the opposite sex.
Spaying and neutering - All dogs adopted through PBRC must be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. It is estimated that 5-6 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year in this country alone. And for pit bulls a death sentence is almost always automatic. PBRC was created to help resolve the overwhelming problem of unwanted pit bulls needlessly killed in shelters every day.
Dog parks - If the applicant's answer to the question, "How the dog will be exercised?" was that the dog will be taken to a dog park, we have informed the applicant about the potential danger of this activity. Since many pit bulls are by nature animal aggressive, exercising an adult pit bull in a dog park with other unleashed dogs is not advised. Sadly these dogs were bred for generations to fight other dogs and there is no way to train this trait out of them. Many pit bulls get along fine with other dogs for their entire lives, but we can't guarantee that this will be the case for all of them. With some pit bulls, dog-aggression is noticeable very early on, with others it may become apparent when the dog matures, between 18-36 months.
Because of this genetic predisposition for animal aggression, it is advisable to keep pit bulls leashed in public and not to let them run loose at a dog park or any other area where other off-leash dogs might be encountered. If a pit bull were to get into a fight at a park, the entire breed suffers as a result. Pit bulls always takes the blame, even if they are not the ones initiating the hostilities. Responsible pit bull owners should know of what their dog is capable and avoid situations that might result in an incident.
Young children - If the applicant has children, PBRC has included in the response suggested reading material regarding children and dogs. Our response has also asked that the applicant carefully check the information you provided about whether or not your particular dog has been tested with children.
Although circumstances vary, and it is impossible to provide you with suggestions that will cover all instances, it is probably not a good idea to place a dog with little or no obedience training in a home where there are children under the age of seven. In general, PBRC believes that many pit bulls are excellent with children. Since they were originally bred to perform in the pit, they have a high tolerance for pain, and often will be tolerant of the "abuse" young kids unintentionally dish out. However like any large, powerful dog, they must be supervised with kids at all times since they can injure a child unintentionally. They are enthusiastic and strong, and can easily knock over an unsteady toddler with their wagging tails. They can be quite rambunctious until they mature, which is around 3-4 years of age. If the dog you are placing has been taught to play gently, not to jump on people, and to sit and wait for a signal before going through doors, then evaluate the circumstances of the adoption accordingly. It is possible to have a young pit bull in a home with toddlers or infants, but you must be confident that the adoptive family will be diligent with their supervision. Instead, if there are young children, you may want to place only a mature rescue pit bull, that has already proven itself with children. Either a young pit bull or an older one would make great playmate for older, respectful kids.
Dog will live outdoors - This is a dangerous situation since pit bulls have become the number 1 targets for theft and individuals with bad intentions. Due to their generally friendly and trusting nature towards people, they are often led right out of their owners' yard and most likely used in the pit, often as a bait dog. In addition, pit bulls do not have a thick coat to protect them against the elements, and most importantly, they crave human attention and constant interaction with their family. We ask you to seriously reconsider placing a dog where he/she will be left alone outside, and instead find him or her owners that will welcome the dog into their house as a cherished member of their family.
Guard dogs - A pit bull is not, by nature, an effective watchdog. Having been bred for many generations to be people friendly, most pit bulls will greet strangers happily. This is a one reason why PBRC advises owners never to leave pit bulls unattended in outdoor areas. pit bulls are stolen every day, and usually for the worst possible reason. It is much more difficult, if not impossible, to convince a German Shepherd, or other breeds of dog dogs bred for generations to be guard dogs, to simply walk away with a stranger. Pit bulls will. For more information, please read PBRC's FAQ.
Lost/stolen/hit-by-car past dog(s) - If the applicant has responded on their application that their previous dog(s) was lost, stolen or hit by a car, we have asked that they provide you with information regarding what steps they will take in the future to prevent such an incident reoccurring. Although accidents do happen, it is important that the applicant has learned from a previous mistake how to put in place safeguards to prevent it happening again.
Got rid of past dog(s) - If the applicant has responded that they gave away or sold their previous dog, this should be a "red flag" in your screening process. PBRC believes that owning a dog is a serious commitment and one that lasts for the entire life of the dog. We have told the applicant that the caretakers of any dog listed in PBRC should know the details of how and why they gave away or sold their previous dog.
The final decision is in your hands. If the application doesn't meet your requirements, or if you are uncomfortable with any of the information provided, feel free to deny the adoption proposal. If you decide to decline an application, a short note to the applicant will be appreciated so they know you have received their application. However, a long explanation is unnecessary and you need only state that their application did not meet your requirements.
Please keep in mind that pit bulls attract individual with poor intentions and you owe it to the dog to make the best decision possible. Below are links to two pages that provide additional tips regarding screening and fostering homeless pit bulls.
Recommendations to Caretakers
Screening Tips
Don't hesitate to contact PBRC with any questions you may have regarding the screening process. Our adoption counselors will be happy to help you out. Please provide the name and location of the applicant, and the application number to facilitate communication.
PBRC Email: d[email protected]
In order to help you find caring and responsible individuals to adopt the dog(s) you are trying to place, we have created this page. It will help you screen the applications you receive from PBRC by providing a few tips and suggestions for your screening process. The applicant has been informed that PBRC offers a pre-screening service only, and that the final adoption approval lies with you.
Please keep in mind that applications for the dogs listed in PBRC come from all across the United States, from Canada, and even from foreign countries. It has been our experience that the larger percentage of applications we receive fall into a few categories: 1) individuals who do not have good intentions for these dogs, 2) individuals who want unspayed or unneutered dogs to breed, 3) individuals who are too young to understand the responsibilities associated with owning a dog, or 4) those who have big hearts but unsuitable homes. Even so, there are wonderful people applying for pit bulls in need.
Because there are good applications offering good homes, PBRC has been instrumental in many excellent placements since its creation. We ask that you keep the following information in mind as you very carefully review applications sent to you from our volunteers. When you respond to an applicant, we suggest that you address any concerns you may have.
The first step when you review an application should be to note all the points you would like to address with the applicant so you have a list handy when you talk to them for the first time. Your first correspondence could be a request for clarification, if needed, and more information about the home. If you are satisfied, the next step should be to call the applicant and talk about the dog as well as the family's home situation. If you are still considering the applicant as a potential adopter for your dog, the next step should be to contact the references and ask them questions about the applicant.
It is your responsibility as a caretaker to make sure you place the dog with caring and responsible individuals.
If you haven't done so already, please take the time to read PBRC's breed information as it contains vital information for pit bull owners and caretakers.
Applicant Under 18 - If an applicant is under 21 years of age, and/or indicates that he or she lives at home, PBRC's response to the applicant has stated that it will be necessary for their parents to contact you and provide approval of the application. Remember that most rescuers and shelters require that an applicant be 21 years of age or older. We strongly believe that these dogs not be placed with people under 21, unless their parents have fully agreed to take legal responsibility for the dog. Note that many dogs listed in PBRC are given up by young owners who didn't have the maturity nor a stable environment in which to provide a safe, long term and committed home for a dog.
Feel free to ask the parents to complete PBRC's application. If you do a homecheck, you should ask to meet all the members of a family before the adoption can be completed.
Municipal restrictions and breed bans - PBRC recommends that you not place a Pit Bull in an area where the law forbids them. If you do, and local authorities become aware that the adopter has an "illegal' dog, the best result would be that the dog would be returned to you. However, the more likely result is that the dog will be seized and euthanized. Please check with the applicant's municipality about breed specific legislation, if you have any doubts.
Verification of landlord acceptance - This is an item that should also be checked closely since refusal by landlord could result in a dog being immediately returned to you. Much worse, the adopter may instead give up the dog to another person or even a shelter. You should also ask the landlord how long the tenant has lived at this address. Moving is the number one reason why people get rid of their dogs.
References - PBRC's application process no longer allows individuals to send in their applications without at least one reference's name and phone number. The application suggests that the reference listed be the applicant's current or previous veterinarian, employer, clergyman, or anyone not related to the applicant who can attest to their character. PBRC strongly feels that closely checking references is one of the most important steps a caretaker can take.
Out-of-state - If you are not able to meet the applicant in person, it becomes even more important to very closely check their references. You could also ask the applicant to collaborate with the screening process by providing the name and phone number of a local animal shelter. You should call the shelter and ask them to conduct a home check for you. If the shelter is unable to do so, ask if they will provide you with the name of a local rescue group or individual who might be willing to do so. The more cooperative the applicant is with this, the better the indicator of whether or not they will provide a good home for the dog.
Same-sex dogs and dog-aggression - Because of their special heritage of fighting dogs, Pit Bulls may develop dog-aggression as they mature. When adding a Pit Bull to an household with another dog, dog-aggression can sometimes be lessened by adding a dog of opposite sex from the one already in the home. Aggression issues are very often intensified when dealing with same sex dogs. Note that many dogs listed in PBRC are looking for a new home because they can no longer get alone with another dog in the house. Your best chance to make sure that same sex dog aggression will not be the reason for a dog's return, is to place your dog as either the only pet, or with one compatible dog of the opposite sex.
Spaying and neutering - All dogs adopted through PBRC must be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. It is estimated that 5-6 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year in this country alone. And for pit bulls a death sentence is almost always automatic. PBRC was created to help resolve the overwhelming problem of unwanted pit bulls needlessly killed in shelters every day.
Dog parks - If the applicant's answer to the question, "How the dog will be exercised?" was that the dog will be taken to a dog park, we have informed the applicant about the potential danger of this activity. Since many pit bulls are by nature animal aggressive, exercising an adult pit bull in a dog park with other unleashed dogs is not advised. Sadly these dogs were bred for generations to fight other dogs and there is no way to train this trait out of them. Many pit bulls get along fine with other dogs for their entire lives, but we can't guarantee that this will be the case for all of them. With some pit bulls, dog-aggression is noticeable very early on, with others it may become apparent when the dog matures, between 18-36 months.
Because of this genetic predisposition for animal aggression, it is advisable to keep pit bulls leashed in public and not to let them run loose at a dog park or any other area where other off-leash dogs might be encountered. If a pit bull were to get into a fight at a park, the entire breed suffers as a result. Pit bulls always takes the blame, even if they are not the ones initiating the hostilities. Responsible pit bull owners should know of what their dog is capable and avoid situations that might result in an incident.
Young children - If the applicant has children, PBRC has included in the response suggested reading material regarding children and dogs. Our response has also asked that the applicant carefully check the information you provided about whether or not your particular dog has been tested with children.
Although circumstances vary, and it is impossible to provide you with suggestions that will cover all instances, it is probably not a good idea to place a dog with little or no obedience training in a home where there are children under the age of seven. In general, PBRC believes that many pit bulls are excellent with children. Since they were originally bred to perform in the pit, they have a high tolerance for pain, and often will be tolerant of the "abuse" young kids unintentionally dish out. However like any large, powerful dog, they must be supervised with kids at all times since they can injure a child unintentionally. They are enthusiastic and strong, and can easily knock over an unsteady toddler with their wagging tails. They can be quite rambunctious until they mature, which is around 3-4 years of age. If the dog you are placing has been taught to play gently, not to jump on people, and to sit and wait for a signal before going through doors, then evaluate the circumstances of the adoption accordingly. It is possible to have a young pit bull in a home with toddlers or infants, but you must be confident that the adoptive family will be diligent with their supervision. Instead, if there are young children, you may want to place only a mature rescue pit bull, that has already proven itself with children. Either a young pit bull or an older one would make great playmate for older, respectful kids.
Dog will live outdoors - This is a dangerous situation since pit bulls have become the number 1 targets for theft and individuals with bad intentions. Due to their generally friendly and trusting nature towards people, they are often led right out of their owners' yard and most likely used in the pit, often as a bait dog. In addition, pit bulls do not have a thick coat to protect them against the elements, and most importantly, they crave human attention and constant interaction with their family. We ask you to seriously reconsider placing a dog where he/she will be left alone outside, and instead find him or her owners that will welcome the dog into their house as a cherished member of their family.
Guard dogs - A pit bull is not, by nature, an effective watchdog. Having been bred for many generations to be people friendly, most pit bulls will greet strangers happily. This is a one reason why PBRC advises owners never to leave pit bulls unattended in outdoor areas. pit bulls are stolen every day, and usually for the worst possible reason. It is much more difficult, if not impossible, to convince a German Shepherd, or other breeds of dog dogs bred for generations to be guard dogs, to simply walk away with a stranger. Pit bulls will. For more information, please read PBRC's FAQ.
Lost/stolen/hit-by-car past dog(s) - If the applicant has responded on their application that their previous dog(s) was lost, stolen or hit by a car, we have asked that they provide you with information regarding what steps they will take in the future to prevent such an incident reoccurring. Although accidents do happen, it is important that the applicant has learned from a previous mistake how to put in place safeguards to prevent it happening again.
Got rid of past dog(s) - If the applicant has responded that they gave away or sold their previous dog, this should be a "red flag" in your screening process. PBRC believes that owning a dog is a serious commitment and one that lasts for the entire life of the dog. We have told the applicant that the caretakers of any dog listed in PBRC should know the details of how and why they gave away or sold their previous dog.
The final decision is in your hands. If the application doesn't meet your requirements, or if you are uncomfortable with any of the information provided, feel free to deny the adoption proposal. If you decide to decline an application, a short note to the applicant will be appreciated so they know you have received their application. However, a long explanation is unnecessary and you need only state that their application did not meet your requirements.
Please keep in mind that pit bulls attract individual with poor intentions and you owe it to the dog to make the best decision possible. Below are links to two pages that provide additional tips regarding screening and fostering homeless pit bulls.
Recommendations to Caretakers
Screening Tips
Don't hesitate to contact PBRC with any questions you may have regarding the screening process. Our adoption counselors will be happy to help you out. Please provide the name and location of the applicant, and the application number to facilitate communication.
PBRC Email: d[email protected]