We believe that Pit Bulls (and other "bully" breeds) deserve the same chance at a happy home as other dog breeds.  View all of our adoptable animals.

Recycl-A-Bullz is a program founded by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter which promotes responsible guardianship of Bully breed dogs through responsible placement of adoptable bully dogs, education, and humane training and exercise methods.

Placement:  The Friends screen Bully breeds for health, temperament, behaviors and personality prior to offering them for adoption.  Additionally, potential adopters are required to meet set requirements prior to adoption of a Bully breed.

Education:  The Friends have educational materials available and are happy to consult with Bully breed guardians who experience concerns or issues with their companion dog.

Training:  The Friends offer specific training classes to help build and strengthen the bond between a Bully dog and its human partner.

Exercise:  The Friends promote proper exercise of Bully dogs.  It is usually a bored and unexercised dog that gets into trouble. Walking or playing fetch may not be enough for these tenacious dogs.  We promote activities such as weight pulling, dock diving, agility, and other individual dog sports.  Also the use of special equipment can aid you quest for humane and time saving exercise.

Spay/Neuter:  A low cost, $20 spay/neuter program is available for pitbull/pit mix dogs. Please contact the shelter at 313-943-2697 for details.

We had our first event in October at Curreys Family Pet Center where we had over 150 attendees, with 90 dogs - 80% were pits or bully breeds.  The 2nd annual Bully Splash Bash was held on June 28, 2009.  Eighty-two people and 52 dogs attended.  In 2010 Bully Splash Bash will be held on August 15.    We also sponsor several events throughout the year to provide fun and constructive activities for these wonderful animals.

Show your support for these great dogs by buying and wearing our fabulous and fun T-Shirt shown at right.  Recycl-A-Bullz logo and our web site featured on the front.  Buy now. 

Our Position on Breed Specific Legislation

We have been hearing a lot about those ominous dogs–Pit Bulls.  Many local communities have been wrapped up in deciding what to do to protect their residents and have been quick to jump on the band wagon of BSL (Breed Specific Legislation).  But is this the best way?  It appears that the initiation of such legislation is a knee jerk reaction to a single incident.  The communities that have already passed a Pit Bull ban are finding out that it is no panacea, more like a can of worms. The cost and the manpower involved in banning a specific breed or type of dog has certainly proved to be high with very little effect on public safety.  

Statistics are showing that BSL does not reduce the number of bites and injuries to humans.  In fact, in some cases, they have increased. BSL hits the wrong targets as any type of profiling by race or now breed.   It has been very difficult for even the experts to correctly identify Pit Bull dogs, as 25 different breeds are commonly mistaken for Pit Bulls.  Most affected by such a ban are the easy to find, licensed family dogs owned by responsible people, not the unlicensed dogs of irresponsible owners and criminals. What will work is proactive and effective enforcement of leash, license, and Dangerous Dog laws that address the actions of risky dogs and holds their owner responsible.

The Friends have been an advocate for the Bully breeds for quite a while.  It has been a struggle as many other animal organizations have not stepped into this  arena, but we are proud of our efforts and successes. As a founding member of a newly formed group, Wayne county Coalition for Animals ( a network of animal groups in Wayne County) and through the development of a new Friends program, Recycl-a-Bullz, we are reaching out to the community to change the perception of these wonderful, people loving dogs as well as teach Bully dog owners better and humane ways to exercise and bond with their dogs.

For more information on Recycl-a-bullz, please contact the Dearborn Animal Shelter at 313-943-2697

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Copyright ©  Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter  All rights reserved.   Adoptions, Donations, and Volunteers always appreciated.
2661 Greenfield, Dearborn, MI 48120, 313-943-2697, friends@dearborn-animals.com,  www.DearbornAnimals.org