Grand Rapids Pitbull Alliance

05/11/2024

GRPBA Fix - A - Pit 🐾

WE HAVE 5 SPOTS OPEN FOR MALE PIT BULL DOGS FOR RESIDENTS OF GRAND RAPIDS TO BE NEUTERED FOR FREE! 🐾

We have reached out to our cancellation list to fill the remaining spots for the November 11th spay/neuter clinic hosted by Bissell Pet Foundation with several individuals not responding so now we are going back to social media to offer 5 spots for Male Pit Bulls who need to be neutered.

These are free surgeries for male pit bull dogs living in Grand Rapids.

Time is running out we are wrapping up pre- registration today! The first 5 intact male pit bulls whose owners respond with all the required info will get signed up. You must be responsive in communication. The last time we shared a post for this event we had over 36 people email in one hour.

Why male dogs only? Looking at our current Male to Female ratio for the day we can fit in a few more pups as Neuter surgeries take less time.

Remember, this amazing opportunity is made possible by BISSELL Pet Foundation and volunteers. BPF is providing the funding, facilities, and vet staff. Our GRPBA team is handling the transportation, registration, and post-op support. GRPBA volunteers have been busy for weeks preparing and the past two weeks making calls and emails signing pets up!

All dogs will get spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm tested for FREE. These services are critical for preventing overpopulation and keeping pets healthy and in their homes.

We know pit bulls make up a large percentage of dogs in shelters, through no fault of their own. These dogs face challenges like exploitation by irresponsible breeders, dog fighters, housing discrimination, Breed Specific Legislation and outdated stigmas. Spaying and neutering is critical to break this heartbreaking cycle

We love and advocate for Pit Bull type dogs and don't want to see them in shelters. We firmly believe in spaying and neutering and is one way to prevent the overpopulation of pets in the shelter system.

04/11/2024

🚨 FINAL 48 HOURS - Critical Update!

We've raised an amazing $4,195 thanks to our incredible community! With just 2 DAYS left, we need your help to secure our new home in the former Wellness Clinic!

⏰ Why These 48 Hours Matter:
Our strategic plan to secure a full year's rent in advance isn't just about a new space—it's about building a sustainable future for pets and families in Grand Rapids.

✨ The Impact We Can Make Together:
• 6,000 amazing supporters
• Just $5 per person
• = Rent paid into 2026!

💫 What Your $5 Does:
• Secures our new location at the former Wellness Clinic which we have even bigger plans for in the future!
• Enables better community service
• Keeps operating costs predictable
• Allows more donations to directly help animals and families in our community.

Link to donate via FB fundraiser ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DVnQzxeas/

or
VENMO:

🎯 Current Status:
Raised: $4,195
Today's Goal: $5,000 and that 5,000 will be matched!!!

🐾 3 Ways to Help RIGHT NOW:
1. Make your $5 donation
2. Share this post IMMEDIATELY
3. Tag 5 friends who love animals and want to help keep their with their families

04/11/2024

Behind every shelter pet is a team of unsung heroes. 👐

To the early risers who clean the kennels, feed and walk dogs, do the shelter dishes and laundry

To the volunteers who leave work and come to the shelter to walk dogs and socialize shy cats

To the foster families opening their homes and hearts

To the adoption counselors making perfect matches

To the vet teams providing loving care...

You make second chances possible. 🌟

This , we're shining a spotlight on the compassionate souls who dedicate themselves to animals in our shelters. Your dedication changes lives – both human and animal – every single day.

Visit your local animal shelter this week to say thanks... you might just meet your new best friend! 🐾

03/11/2024

Update his family was FOUND!

Our friends over at Garage Bar and Grill are trying to find the family of this lost pup.

PLEASE SHARE!

Anyone missing a dog? This little fella showed up without an owner.
***Update we found the owners***

01/11/2024

🎉 INCREDIBLE NEWS TO SHARE! 🎉

A HUGE thank you to Positive Step Foundation for their amazing donation of 12 airline crates!

What makes this even more special?? These crates will benefit TWO pet outreach organizations - both Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance and our friends Operation Solo!!!! ❤️

Together, we will share these crates to:

🐾 Transport dogs to clinics
🐾 Get pups to their appointments safely
🐾 Support transports

This generous donation will make such a difference in our ability to serve the dogs of West Michigan. The impact of Positive Step Foundation far beyond just the crates - it's an investment in the safety and wellbeing of countless dogs in our community.

Your support of our missions in West Michigan means the world to us! Because of partners like you, we can keep helping more pets in need!

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU Positive Step Foundation Trish Positive Step Schreiber for your continued support! 💕

01/11/2024

Meet Reika - her story shows exactly why our Pet Support Center has been so vital to our community. When Reika's dad faced a devastating cancer diagnosis, he knew he needed to make the difficult decision to rehome his beloved companion. But he also knew she could not handle the stress of a shelter. He was connected to Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance for help and this is how we began our Supported Pet Rehoming Program.

Through our Pet Support Center, we provided a safe, comfortable space for Reika to meet potential adopters while her dad recovered from treatment. Today, Reika is thriving in her new home - and her former dad even serves as her regular pet sitter! This is the kind of happy ending we love!

Our Pet Support Center has become a vital community resource, our rehoming program is only one of many ways it has been so beneficial to our community:

• Helping families directly rehome pets, avoiding shelter stress
• Preserving shelter space during the nationwide capacity crisis
• Providing a meeting space for local rescue organizations
• Creating successful transitions from one loving home to another

But we need your help to grow. With a larger location, we can:
• Help more families like Reika's
• Expand our direct rehoming programs
• Offer educational workshops
• Support more rescue organization partnerships

Your $5 donation today will help us secure a larger space to serve more pets and families in need. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal of keeping pets out of shelters and families connected.

Will you join us? Donate $5 today to help us move to a larger location and transform more lives like Reika's.

Link to Fundraiser ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jqg3ZmL85vkwQnzF/

Together, we can build a community where pet parents are supported and do not have to face difficult decisions alone.

31/10/2024

Friends it's ok to not participate in handing out candy if you have nervous and anxious pets.

Myself I LOVE Halloween, and come from a family who loves the holiday. In the neighborhood where I grew up our entire street transformed into a haunted neighborhood and we would have trick or treaters coming in all night long, even bussed in!

But now my other half and I do not participate in handing out candy at our home.

When we have, we set up outside on the sidewalk so no one comes to our front door and even then the activity is far to stressful for Vinny and Pepper, it's not worth stressing them out and creating anxiety for them.

We have to do what is best for our dogs and advocate for them, they are our priority ❤️

We will be staying inside with the boys, closing the curtains and will probably play Nightmare Before Christmas non-stop 🎃

Do what's best for your pets and look out for their needs.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween 🎃

~Tanelle

30/10/2024

Ok friends we had a overwhelming response to the Free Fix-a-Pit Spay and Neuter post in regards to the Spay and Neuter clinic Bissell Pet Foundation is hosting for us!

All Spots are FULL!

We received over 20 emails from Pit Bull parents in Grand Rapids in just a hour!!!!

So this is what we would like to do put together a On call Cancellation List!

In July when we participated in Bissell Pet Foundation Fix the Future we had about 7 people not show up for the spay and neuter clinic they signed their pets up for. We were pretty bummed because those spots could have went to people who contacted us after we filled all available spots. These were no shows as well :/

This time not only are we asking people to contact us if they cannot make it but we are putting together a list of people who can be On Call leading up to the clinic and even the day of the clinic. In the event we have a cancellation or no show, which we are anticipating.

We would gather all information as we would those who have secured their spots and call next week as a reminder and go over pre surgery information such as no food after midnight for adult dogs.

I know its not ideal to be waiting to bring your pet but there just may be some folks out there who this would benefit. We do not know when the next clinic will be and we also know low cost spay and neuter availability over the next few months in Grand Rapids is very limited.

If you are interested in being on the On Call Cancellation List please EMAIL

[email protected]

🌶️ This is a message from Pepper Earl the GRPBA Ambass-a-Bull stating spay and neuter your pets, balls are gross! Spayed / neutered pets live a longer healthier life, help us live longer with spay and neuter.

He's not sure if he wants to be Cousin Eddie or a Walking Taco for Halloween 🎃

30/10/2024

Desperatly Seeking PITS to Fix for FREE! 🐾

Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance FIX - a -PIT Post 🐾

On November 11th we are participating in a Spay and Neuter clinic thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation ❤️ Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance will be transporting Community Dogs to the BPF Clinic. This is for owned pets in the Grand Rapids community.

We currently have spots available for intact Pit Bulls in Grand Rapids to be spayed and neutered!

All dogs will receive for free:

*Spay /Neuter
*Age appropriate vaccines
*Microchip
*Heartworm test

We will be transporting all dogs by renting 2 vans and setting up a remote drop-off and pick up location in Southeast Grand Rapids.

The remaining spots are reserved for Pit Bull type dogs and residents of Grand Rapids, we are going to share why.

As many of us are shelter staff, volunteers or volunteers with other rescues in our community we know far to well that Pit Bull type dogs make up the majority of the population of dogs in shelters and not because they did anything wrong.

Pit Bull type dogs are exploited by backyard breeders from breeding American Staffordshire Terriers to what they refer to as Exotic Bully breed and more. These dogs are cross bred with anything and everything to create a
"Look". They are poorly bred, over bred, and lack any proper husbandry practices. Often these dogs are dumped when they are not what the "breeders" want, or if a medical issue arises they prefer to dump or euthanize rather then provide veterinary care. Females are dumped after they feel they are not producing and sadly their life was often nothing more than carrying puppies and never enjoying a happy life dogs do deserve.

Pit Bull type dogs are used in blood sports (Dog Fighting) bred and exploited to live a life of pure cruelty.

Pit Bull type dogs are excluded and banned from rental housing, HOAs making it hard on people who do rent to find affordable pet inclusive housing. Often having to transfer care of their pets to a shelter or rescue when they cannot secure housing for themselves and their pets.

Pit Bull type dogs get passed around and rehomed intact and then all the sudden a dog is pregnant with what some call a "Oops" Litter.

We get emails, calls from individuals who seek assistance for their dogs after they bred them because they can't afford to provide for the dogs and puppies who initially thought it would be a great idea to breed them. They also have a hard time finding homes or "buyers" for their puppies. We have helped transfer these puppies from litters to rescue and to the shelter because the people who bred them can't home, care or provide for them.

Trust us there are no lack of dogs in the Shelter for adoption and there is absolutely no lack of amazing Pit Bull type dogs up for adoption! There is absolutely no need to breed them. Part of our mission is preventing more animals from entering the shelter system especially Pit Bull type dogs.

If you love Pit Bull type dogs as much as we do then you to will agree that spaying and neutering them should be a priority. Spaying and neutering of all pets should be a priority, we need to stop the cycle.

If you are low income, have a intact Pit Bull and reside in Grand Rapids please email us to get your dog on the list for the November 11th spay and neuter clinic with Bissell Pet Foundation.

[email protected]

*Spay and Neutering of pets helps with the overpopulation of homeless pets as well as prevents multiple deadly diseases such as Pyometra and Testicular cancer.

*Photo of a GRPBA Ambass-a-Bull Pepper Earl who enjoys being swaddled. Pepper is a Neutered Pit Bull who is also a Dog Fighting Survivor from Bark Nation. Pepper wants all his friends to be spayed and neutered and live happier healthy lives!

Thank you Bissell Pet Foundation!!!

30/10/2024

We wanted to remind everyone there are many ways to support Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance with moving into a larger better equipped facility to serve the community to include free veterinary care!

Our Facebook fundraiser is one way or making a donation via Venmo or PayPal.

Venmo is

Another way is by attending our Dine In Fundraiser at Buddy's Pizza (Grand Rapids) on November 6th 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

Join us at Buddy's Pizza (4061 28th St. SE) on Wednesday, November 6th between 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM and make a difference!

With every order you place, 20% will be donated to Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance.

You can participate in this fundraiser by:
🍕Dine in
🍕Delivery
🍕Pick up

*You need to mention you are with Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance prior to placing your order for the 20% to be donated.

We are working hard on various fundraising efforts to raise money to move into a larger facility which will allow us to expand our outreach work in the community including more veterinary care options for pets and families in need.

Please RSVP 🍕 and find more details at the link below:

https://grouprai.se/s291629

30/10/2024

Please read through the following to ensure your pets stay happy and safe this Halloween!

🎃 Protect Them From Stranger Danger
Trick or treating will bring several strangers in scary costumes at your door that your pet doesn’t know please make sure you take preventive measures before the festivities start.

🎃 Hand Candy out outside, set up a space outside to pass out candy to avoid opening the door as well as knocks and door bell rings which can upset and stress your pets.

🎃 Create a room for them during parties and trick or treating and make sure it's off limits to guest. Give your pets a quiet, safe place on Halloween. Scary parties, constant doorbell ringing or too many strangers in costume at your home can be stressful to your four-legged friends and even make them physically ill and anxious. Provide some interactive toys, a stuffed Kong and play some calming music. Many channels that have relaxing music for dogs can be streamed from YouTube

https://youtu.be/u4erV4SJ7qM

🎃 Don’t dress up your pet unless you know they enjoy it. Make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe, and doesn’t restrict movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that the pet could chew off and possibly choke on. If costumes are not your pet’s favorite attire, a festive bandana can usually do the trick!

🎃 It’s never a good idea to take your pet trick-or-treating. Dogs may become excited and be approached by strangers and if frightened may bite. They could also become scared and run into the road or run off! For their protection, keep your pets at HOME!

🎃 No treats for your animals. Candy should be kept out of a pet’s reach. Chocolate can be toxic, and many sugar-free candies, gum and baked products contain Xylitol or Birch Sugar, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs.

ASPCA Poison Control Hotline
(888) 426-4435

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

🎃 Beware of glow sticks. Pets find them to be a lot of fun. However, if they are punctured the liquid inside, even though labeled non-toxic, is extremely bitter. A pet may become hyper and race around the house, and even begin drooling.

🎃 Make sure your pets have on identification at all times. Update Your Pet's ID Tag and make sure their contact information on their microchip is current.

🎃 Register your pet on Petco Love Lost.

https://lost.petcolove.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwlOmLBhCHARIsAGiJg7m8gLdjss_Vq_ysKO0jXlJP-XRQCK2nfT-ckmZ79piUc7yqdeDqgpYaAl3jEALw_wcB

29/10/2024

🎃

29/10/2024

Cami is the absolute sweetest little snuggle bug ❤️

She is severely struggling in the shelter but once she's out on field trips, sleepovers and away from the shelter she settles down is able to relax and be playful. She's a social lady struggling.

This is a plea for adopters for Cami or a foster. She does need to be the only pet in the home.

*This is a courtesy post for KCAS, Cami is not in our care and we can not answer your questions on behalf of Cami and KCAS. If you have any questions please contact the Kent County Animal Shelter directly.

Please share.

28/10/2024

Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance FIX - a -PIT Post 🐾

On November 11th we are participating in a Spay and Neuter clinic thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation which will be completly free to those who need the assistance.

We currently have limited spots available as they have been filled by individuals with pets who contacted us after the last Bissell Pet Foundation Fix the Future event in July. Also from individuals who have been referred to our organization for assistance by Animal Control, the Animal Shelter, local human service agencies and those we have been assisting in the community and are in need of spay and neuter assistance.

All dogs will receive for free:

*Spay /Neuter
*Age appropriate vaccines
*Microchip
*Heartworm test

We will be transporting all pets as we did in July by renting 2 vans and setting up a remote drop-off and pick up location in Southeast Grand Rapids.

We have 8 spots we are reserving for Pit Bull type dogs and residents of Grand Rapids, we are going to share why.

As many of us are shelter staff, volunteers or volunteers with other rescues in our community we know far to well that Pit Bull type dogs make up the majority of the population of dogs in shelters and not because they did anything wrong.

Pit Bull type dogs are exploited by backyard breeders from breeding American Staffordshire Terriers to what they refer to as Exotic Bully breed and more. These dogs are cross bred with anything and everything to create a l
"Look". They are poorly bred, over bred, and lack any proper husbandry practices. Often these dogs are dumped when they are not what the "breeders" want, or if a medical issue arises they prefer to dump or euthanize rather then provide veterinary care. Females are dumped after they feel they are not producing and sadly their life was often nothing more than carrying puppies and never enjoying a happy life dogs do deserve.

Pit Bull type dogs are used in blood sports (Dog Fighting) bred and exploited to live a life of pure cruelty.

Pit Bull type dogs are excluded and banned from rental housing, HOAs making it hard on people who do rent to find affordable pet inclusive housing. Often having to transfer care of their pets to a shelter or rescue when they cannot secure housing for themselves and their pets.

Pit Bull type dogs get passed around and rehomed intact and then all the sudden a dog is pregnant with what some call a "Oops" Litter.

We get emails, calls from individuals who seek assistance for their dogs after they bred them because they can't afford to provide for the dogs and puppies who initially thought it would be a great idea to breed them. We have helped transfer these puppies from litters to rescue and to the shelter because the people who bred them can't care or provide for them.

Trust us there are no lack of dogs in the Shelter for adoption and there is absolutely no lack of amazing Pit Bull type dogs up for adoption. There is absolutely no need to breed them. Part of our mission is preventing more animals from entering the shelter system especially Pit Bull type dogs.

If you love Pit Bull type dogs as much as we do then you to will agree that spaying and neutering them should be a priority. Spaying and neutering of all pets should be a priority, we need to stop the cycle.

If you are low income, have a intact Pit Bull and reside in Grand Rapids please email us to get your dog on the list for the November 11th spay and neuter clinic with Bissell Pet Foundation.

[email protected]

*Spay and Neutering of pets helps with the overpopulation of homeless pets as well as prevents multiple deadly diseases such as Pyometra and Testicular cancer.

28/10/2024

Kristy Fox we have again received a message from you here on Facebook we cannot reply to due to your settings.

We received a email from you this morning and replied at 9:37 am and still have not received a response.

We received a voicemail from you at 11:50 am this morning where you indicated to text or call. We texted you back informing you we responded to your email this morning and to check your email to keep the conversation there in one consistent place.

We have continued to do our due diligence to reach you with each form of communication you use.

We received multiple emails, calls, text daily and do our best to respond in a timely manner as a volunteer run organization. We are extremely busy right now with more calls, text and emails due to the spay and neuter clinic we are participating in next month and I am the sole person currently overseeing all communication for our organization. You are one of 10 emails already today plus 3 phone calls.

Once again I am trying to reach you during my own personal employment hours. We are now asking you to respond again via the email you sent and we replied too.

27/10/2024

Big Thank you to our outreach team who spent yesterday morning distributing pet food in Lowell at our amazing friends First Congregational UCC of Lowell !

Lisa L
Mandi
Brandie
Natalie
Allison
Jamie
Bekah
Tanelle

We provided a total of 1,233 lbs of pet food, lots of other pet supplies and served:

■ 65 Families
■ 112 Dogs 🐕
■ 159 Cats 🐈‍⬛️

We met some new friends and seen some of our old friends 😊

A big thank you to the folks who stopped by and dropped off donations for our pet food bank! 🙏🏾

Our next Lowell Mass Pet Food Distribution will be Saturday November 30th

Distribution will be 9:00 - 11:00am or until supplies run out.

Yesterday we did run out of Cat food before distribution was over. We are struggling to keep cat food on our pet food bank shelves and having enough for each mass pet food distribution we host. If you are considering making a donation of pet food to GRPBA please, please make it Dry Cat Kibble.

For a list of our donation location partners please see the last photo.

For any questions in regards to mass pet food distribution, to make a donation or for resources please email [email protected]