5 Ways to Get Involved in Pitbull Awareness Month

Pitbull Awareness Month is here! There are so many ways you can support pittie-type breeds near you.
October is Pitbull Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to make a difference for pitbull-type dogs in need. From fostering and adopting to volunteering and advocating, here are five impactful ways you can get involved and help spread awareness.
1. Foster a homeless animal
One of the most rewarding ways to get involved during Pitbull Awareness Month is by fostering! Opening your home to a dog in need, even temporarily, can change their life. Fostering is especially vital for dogs like Pia, a beautiful pitbull mix who came to Cincinnati Animal CARE after losing the use of her legs in a car accident.
Her foster family shared, “We had never fostered a dog like that before, but he quickly became the center of our life… We raised money to get her a wheelchair and we’re able to see her successfully adopted by a nice young couple who lived on several acres.” Click here to watch an adorable video of Pia using her wheelchair for the first time. Thanks to her amazing fosters Linda and Alan taking a chance on her, Pia–now known as Spaghetti–is living her best life!
Fostering gives animals a break from the shelter environment, allows them to heal, and offers them a chance to shine in a home setting. Even if you’ve never fostered a dog before, consider saying “why not?” and give fostering a try this Pitbull Awareness Month! Visit our adoptable dogs page to see which dogs are currently living at our two shelter locations. If you see an animal listed at 4210 Dane Avenue or 3949 Colerain Avenue, they would love a foster home!
2. Volunteer Your Time
Shelters and rescues rely on volunteers to provide essential care, love, and attention to their animals. Volunteering not only helps animals, but it can be a deeply enriching experience. One CAC volunteer shared, “I’ve grown a lot and learned so much about these amazing animals, especially pitbulls, which I had never been around before. I am so grateful to have found some of the best, most kind people that care so much.”
Whether you’re walking dogs, assisting with events, or helping with adoption days, your time and effort can make a world of difference for these misunderstood dogs. Click here if you’re interested in learning more about volunteering with Cincinnati Animal CARE!
3. Adopt a Rescue Dog
If you’re ready for a new four-legged family member, Pitbull Awareness Month is a great time to consider adopting a pitbull-type dog. Shelters are full of loving, loyal pit mixes waiting for their forever homes. Adopting is not only a gift to the animal but also an opportunity to show the world the true nature of these affectionate dogs. By giving a pitbull a home, you help break the negative stereotypes and prove that every dog deserves a chance. Click here to view our adoptable animals and find your new best friend today!
4. Donate to Support Pitbulls
Not everyone can foster or adopt, but you can still make a big impact by donating! During Pitbull Awareness Month, consider contributing to shelters and rescues that care for pitbulls. Your donations to Cincinnati Animal CARE can provide enrichment supplies, food and toys, and even support initiatives like sponsoring an animal’s adoption fee.
We also want to highlight the important work of My Pit Bull is Family, an organization dedicated to ending housing and insurance discrimination for all dogs, no matter their appearance or perceived breed. They believe, as we do, that every dog is an individual and that families who love their pets should have the chance to stay together in a home.
Each month, My Pit Bull is Family’s volunteer team gathers data on pet policies by reaching out to dog-friendly apartments in cities across the U.S. They recognize that one of the leading reasons families are forced to surrender their pets to shelters is the lack of pet-friendly housing options. By providing valuable resources to families seeking housing and partnering with local organizations to offer additional support, My Pit Bull is Family helps reduce the number of dogs entering shelters and rescues every year.
5. Advocate for Pitbulls Near You!
Be a voice for pitbulls this Pitbull Awareness Month by advocating for them in your community and online. Share facts and stories about pitbulls, like Pia’s journey, to help dispel myths and challenge misconceptions. Pitbull-type dogs often face unfair breed discrimination, but by educating others, you can change perceptions and help more dogs find homes.
At just 11 years old, Eva, a Junior Girl Scout with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, used her Bronze Award Project to raise awareness about the shelter animals at Cincinnati Animal CARE. Despite her young age, Eva is already working hard to address “adult topics” and break down the negative stigmas about shelter pets and pit bulls to create a new future for her generation; a generation that we must embrace and educate, to create well-rounded and compassionate leaders.
You can also wear your advocacy proudly with something like Cincinnati Animal CARE’s “I’m a Pit Pusher” t-shirt, and spread the message that every dog deserves love and a fair chance, regardless of their breed! Pitbull Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to get involved and make a positive difference for these incredible dogs. Whether you foster, volunteer, adopt, donate, or advocate, your support is essential in changing the narrative around pitbull-type breeds and helping them find the loving homes they deserve.