Since July 2012, Shaw Pit Bull Rescue (Shaw PBR) has found loving homes for 100 dogs, operating under the motto “American Pit Bull Terriers: love them, or leave them alone.”

Pit Bulls are the most abused breed in America—in great part due to lack of public education and sensationalist media. Since pit bulls are often the victims of abuse and neglect, many wind up homeless or abandoned.

Kenneth and Aimee Shaw founded this grassroots rescue organization with the intention of helping save one or two dogs at a time. They worked alone for a few months, but quickly realized the need was larger than the two of them. Shaw PBR’s “PitCrew” now has Leslie Bailey as a third partner along with a faithful board of directors.

They also have a new mission: to provide abused, abandoned or homeless pit bull dogs with the medical attention they need; as well as the love and attention they deserve to heal—both emotionally, and physically.

Sadly, for every pit bull successfully adopted, there are many more waiting for “forever homes.” For every success, 20 more “adopt-a-bulls” are waiting for their

special person. Shaw PBR’s board and volunteers actively seek to foster responsible pit bull ownership through low-cost veterinary spay/neuter programming, education, adoption, and breed advocacy.  Aimee Shaw’s humorous, edgy T-shirt and sticker slogans raise funds while keeping the organization, and the cause, in the public eye. The rescue group and their fans engage others via social media and a positive presence at community events.

In June 2013, Shaw PBR was involved in the rescue of five horses, along with 23 pit bulls and four other dogs at a single location. The animals were found in poor

shape, emaciated, and severely flea infested. As a result of this rescue, they were awarded a $1,500 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to be used toward housing and care of the animals at the PBR facility in Columbus.

A vast amount of volunteer time, effort, and love is required to meet the daily needs of these animals, as well as the fundraising events and grant writing necessary to sustain this organization. Collectively, Shaw PBR volunteers commit to a minimum of 1,200 volunteer hours annually. Their services have been

invaluable to the forgotten, neglected, and abused pit bulls in our region.