About PITStop’s Pit Bull ResCUES:
Rescue work is done best when a collaborative spirit guides our work. For this new section of PITStop, we will visit other Pit Bull specific rescues and see what great work is being done and hopefully we can learn from each other and together, help a misunderstood breed of dogs find homes. For this first installation of ResCUES, we go up to our Northern California friends in Fresno to visit Fresno Bully Rescue in their efforts to regroup and resurrect as a stronger more financially sound rescue. They formulated the successful Saving the KissBulls Project and rallied community members in Fresno to come together and help renovate the kennels for their Kissbulls! Congratulations FBR! You are a true inspiration to us here at Downtown Dog Rescue!
FRESNO BULLY RESCUE
by Bridgette Boothe, Director
In June of 2008, having two pit bulls of their own, Ryan and Bridgette Boothe realized their passion for this wonderful breed and had considered starting a rescue of their own. After searching the Internet to see if a bully breed rescue already exsisted, they came across a Craig’s List Posting for Fresno Bully Rescue (FBR) calling for volunteers. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to get involved.
Fresno Bully Rescue was located in a parking lot in Downtown Fresno, California. This was a young rescue, established in May 2008. Ryan and his wife, Bridgette were the very first volunteers to ever come out. At the time, there were only about 12 dogs at the center. It was clear that the people involved had big hearts and tons of passion, but structure, organization and funding were its downfall.
The center moved to it’s new, larger location in February 2009. This new place was the ideal location for the dogs to thrive, surrounded by peaceful orchards on about an acre lot. Unfortunately things did not go as well as planned. Within a few months FBR had no funding, they had exhausted their resources and support within the community, and all hope was fading. Volunteers quit coming because of the poor conditions of the grounds and lack of stable management. Facing eviction, and overwhelmed with 60+ dogs now at the center, FBR needed a change, and fast!
With Ryan owning and operating his own business for over 10 years, and Bridgette with her degree in Marketing and Graphic Design, they felt they had the skills to restructure and run the center in a successful direction. Most of the previous boards members were removed or had left and new board members were brought in. The center had to be completely overhauled. From cleaning up the grounds to organizing all of the bookwork, it was a major undertaking. The community had gotten a bad taste in their mouths from the previous FBR, so the board has had to work hard to earn back trust and support. They have also been working to put together fundraisers and gain private donations to pay off the monthly expenses and roughly $7,000 of debt the center has accurued.
The new FBR has come a long way from where it used to be, but there is still a lot of work to do. FBR is looking for your support to help improve the center for the dogs. New kennels, proper roofing and other improvements are vital to keep the bullies healthy and happy while in our care. FBR needs your support to ensure that our bullies thrive while we look for forever-adoptive homes.
FBR is gaining momentum and has a world of potential. With these improvements the public will take Fresno Bully Rescue seriously and know that their time and money is not being wasted. All of this to help gain more exposure and awareness for the dogs sheltered at Fresno Bully Rescue and the breed itself.
Saving the Kissbulls Project from Bridgette Boothe on Vimeo.
Local News Coverage in Fresno:
