Even though Paw Prints in the Sand works year-round to prevent and bring awareness to cruelty to animals, April is special because it is officially the ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! We are asking supporters to celebrate by joining us in raising awareness about important issues facing animals today. Here’s how you can help:

April 8th is Dog Fighting Awareness Day –  Dog fighting is one of the worst acts of animal abuse that exists today. The ASPCA created this very special day to bring awareness to and further the conversation on dog fighting. For more information on dog fighting and how you can help, read our previous blog post.

Start Your Own Fundraiser – Join the PPITS team by starting a Facebook fundraiser to support animal rescues and share it with your friends and family. Whether you’re asking people to donate for your birthday or in honor of a furry loved one, the money you raise will help an animal in need.

Adopt, Don’t Shop – Looking to add a four legged friend to your family? The shelters are beyond full with great pets looking for a loving home. Visit your local shelter or adoption web sites such as adopt-a-pet.com, PetFinder, or RescueMe.org. If you’re in California, check out our adorable adoptables at www.pawprintsinthesand.org/adopt.

Consider Fostering – Just like animal shelters, foster based rescues like Paw Prints in the Sand are always full. Without a loving foster home, we can’t save an animal in need. If you aren’t ready to make a full time commitment to a pet, but want to help save lives, consider fostering. Foster policies vary with different rescues. If you are interested in fostering, contact a local rescue for more information. For more information on fostering for Paw Prints in the Sand, please visit our foster page at www.pawprintsinthesand.org/foster. We cover all costs, and it’s only temporary.

Spread the word – Use your Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter accounts to spread the word about Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Be sure to tag us at @PPITSresq on Instagram or @PPITSRescue on Twitter. If you don’t already, please follow us on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

We are excited to get the word out about animals in need. We hope you will join us in our fight to prevent cruelty to animals this month and throughout the year!

“Special needs pets need special people!” This is a phrase that we hear frequently from rescues encouraging people to adopt special needs pets. But why is that? Is it because of the sacrifice we are willing to give and the extra time that we are willing to take to care for these pets? Is it because they require people with loads of patience, in a world that seems to have less of it? The answer is a resounding NO! (echo, echo….) Caring for a special needs pet may be a bit challenging at first. There’s a strict schedule, medication routine, frequent vet visits. They are not like ‘normal’ pets. It is a lot of work, but no one really told me what I would get in return for caring for special needs pet. No one told me about what made these animals so special, or what I was about to experience. My husband and I have the honor of caring for special needs pets. Our senior dog Reggie, a Lhasa Apso came into my life when we moved in together. He had a heart condition and was partially blind. I had to get accustomed to a new schedule with is daily heart medications, and we couldn’t miss a dose. We had to be aware of where he was at all times when moving around. We had to make sure that sharp edges were protected so he would not hurt himself. When we moved into our new house, we had to make sure to maintain a consistency with objects from our prior home and teach him how to move around the new one.  I could not change my routine while he got used to his new environment. Zach is another one of our special needs pets. He was born in our house as part of litter by a mama cat we were fostering. He suffers from a condition called Angular Degeneration, which causes different bones to grow at different rates throughout his life. This results in impaired mobility and the inability to retract the claws from his front paws. He has overgrown shoulder blades and does not have a kneecap in one of his legs so he cannot bend it. We are also not able to microchip him due to his issues with his shoulder blades. He is not able to jump like normal cats, and since he cannot bend his left leg, he is very prone to getting it caught in a certain spaces as he moves around our home. We had to identify all areas and spaces where he may get caught and make them inaccessible to him. We also have to make sure that he never goes outside unattended because he can’t defend himself. We need to give him daily massages to help relax the muscles in his front paws and to help his claws retract. We also have to do weekly nail trims for the claws do not retract. Tank is another one of our special needs pets. He is an English bulldog who suffers from allergies and requires daily serum injections. Tank came to us with one of the worst cases of mange and skin infections that we have ever had in our rescue. We fostered him, and after Reggie passed, we foster failed and made him a permanent member of our home. Little did we know at the time that his ailments were a direct result of his allergies. Tank is allergic to approximately 90% of the allergens included in a typical canine allergy panel. He will require serum injections for the rest of his life. He also suffers from severe dry eye, which requires life-long daily eye medications. Our special needs pets are a lot of work! So why put in all of this effort? Why spend all of the time, energy, and money on these pets rather than a perfectly healthy one? Because caring for a special needs pet is one of the most rewarding experiences! These are the pets that get rejected most often and the ones that need us the most. You may think that I am biased because of my personal experience with my own special needs pets, being an animal advocate, and my involvement in animal rescue. But the reality is, we have not met more dedicated, loyal, and loving pets than our special needs dogs and cats. Reggie was the best boy. He got along with everyone he met. He did not like his ears to be touched, but he loved cuddling with us. Reggie was pretty set in his ways, but always showed gratitude. Everyone who met Reggie loved Reggie. He was everyone’s favorite and still is, even almost 2 years after his passing. There is no cat more loving than Zach. All of our cats are very affectionate and love spending time with us, but Zach is beyond special with his affection. He makes sure to spend time with everyone in our home, both people and pets. He grooms all of us, and he’s such a cuddler! He also shows his love by trying to knead on me – even though his movements are limited. He is the welcoming committee for all of out new foster kittens. He loves to keep them company and groom them. He is just a wonderful kitty.

Tank is a mama’s boy. He does not leave my side. He follows me everywhere. He listens well. He is obedient and well behaved. What surprises me the most about him is how awesome he is about taking his injections. I just call him and tell him it’s time for his medication. He patiently lets me give him his injection then excitedly waits for his reward cookie. His best friend is Zach, who would spend time with Tank while he was recuperating from his skin issues. Tank gets along with all dogs that come through my home and helps with our puppy fosters by keeping them entertained and always playing with them. I have had to learn to deal with excessive drooling, but that’s just a part of who he is, and we love him. These are just a few examples of how exceptional special needs pets are. My husband and I also have full-time jobs, and I also run an animal rescue. We find the time to provide our special needs pets with the love and care they require and deserve. It is so worth it! If you are looking for a pet with whom you can build a strong bond, I encourage you to consider fostering or adopting a special needs pet. They come in all shapes and sizes, with different needs, some require more than others. But in the end, their wonderful personalities and temperament will make it difficult for you to not fall in love with them; and the love you will feel from them in return is beyond measure. It truly takes a special person to care for a special needs pet. It takes a special person who is willing to accept and cherish an unlimited amount of love and gratitude that comes from caring for them. So the question is: Are you that special person? To show your support for special needs pets, purchase a tee, tank, hat or tote from our new Special Needs, Special Deeds collection. All proceeds go towards the care of special needs pets.

The following guest post was originally posted by the Paw Prints in the Sand Co-Founder and President in Pet Rescue Report

What is BSL? BSL stands for Breed Specific Legislation, which essentially makes certain dog breeds illegal based on their looks or breed. The breeds most commonly included in these laws are: Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, American Bulldogs, Presa Canarios, Mastiffs, Chow Chows, Dalmatians and Wolf hybrids, among others depending on locality.

The reason these breeds are often deemed “illegal” in areas around the United States including Arkansas, Colorado, and Florida and across the globe is because they are assumed to be “vicious” or “risky” simply due to their breed, mix or even the shape of their heads. Most recently, the City of Montreal passed legislation that would ban any dog resembling a pit bull and kill thousands more. Anyone who owns a dog remotely resembling a pit bull would have to register his or her dog with the municipality and muzzle it while in public. In addition, the dogs would be required to be under adult supervision while in public at all times.

If the dogs are in animal shelters or without an owner (strays), they will be euthanized. Additionally, BSL often prevents responsible would-be dog owners from providing a good, loving home to one of these types of dogs because of landlord or homeowners insurance requirements, which will not allow it. So, here’s why BSL is BS specifically as it applies to pit bulls: Pit bulls used to be known as ‘America’s Nanny Dog’ because of their friendly nature, loyalty and stability. They served in WWI and WWII, and many pit bulls are decorated veterans who have served our country. Furthermore, based on a study by the American Temperament Test Society, Inc., pit bulls are among the most tolerant dogs with 86.8% of pit bulls tested passing for temperament, ranking only second to the Labrador Retriever.

I have personally fostered numerous pitties and have one of my own. Before I got involved in animal rescue, all I knew about Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and every other dog breed listed under BSL was what I saw in the media and how they were portrayed: vicious, aggressive, or high risk. However, practically every dog that has come through my door has been nothing but loving, loyal, and sweet. It took having hands on experience, educating myself, and gaining a better understanding of these breeds and proper handling for me to change my attitude and perception about these amazing dogs!

We want to help bring awareness to the issue that is BSL and put an end to the unjustified prejudice against certain breeds of dogs. We hope you will join us and support our ‘I’m With The Banned’ campaign by purchasing one of our shirts and give these great dogs the rights they deserve.

To help bring awareness BSL, please go to visit this link to purchase a ‘I’m With The Banned’ T-Shirt . Proceeds from this campaign will go towards the dominant breed dogs we rescue and towards our rescue programs. For more information on Paw Prints in the Sand and the work we do, please visit our web site at www.pawprintsinthesand.org, or on our social sites: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.