Pit Mix Fix - Solution to Overpopulation
In Marion County, Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) is the only open-intake shelter and is tasked with the responsibility of intaking every unwanted animal that arrives at its doors. Historically, there have been two types of animals that are overrepresented and at most risk of euthanasia due to lack of quality homes – cats and large dogs, including pit mixes. Pet Friendly Service of Indiana has been working to limit cat intake across the state and is now launching a program to help large dogs.
Pit Mixes are mixed breed dogs that are descendants of terriers and bulldogs. Their general appearance includes:
- A broad, blocky head with medium-sized, folded ears
- Stocky, well-muscled body, weighing up to 80 lbs.
- A very short coat in a variety of patterns
Rather than continuously working to address overpopulation, Pet Friendly Services works to prevent overpopulation. Here’s what we are doing for cats, and here’s where we need your help to save the lives of large dogs:
- Cats – To limit shelter intake of cats, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana provides $25 surgery certificates to limited-income cat owners so they can afford to fix their pets and avoid unwanted litters. We also provide free surgery certificates to “community cat” groups that trap-neuter-return feral and free roaming cats. These preventive programs have been incredibly impactful, saving lives, saving money, and reducing the burden on shelter staff.
- Pit Mixes and other Large Dogs – Indiana shelters have an ongoing challenge: they are full of large dogs, but the demand for these types of pets is minimal. Most adopters are looking for small and medium-sized dogs, which typically fly out of the shelter and into their forever homes. But large dogs are another story. They are strong, and they require adequate space and a good-sized yard. They cost more to feed, and their lifespan is shorter than smaller dogs. These are a few of the drawbacks adopters take into consideration.
What’s the Solution?
The Investment: To solve this problem, Pet Friendly Services has launched the “Pit Mix Fix”. The program offers limited-income owners of pit mixes and other large dogs $10 spay/neuter surgeries. Thanks to special funding from generous donors, we are now able to offer this program in every county!
This Investment Will Pay Dividends. Here’s Why: Large dogs tend to have lots of puppies. Pit bull terriers can have up to 13 puppies in a single litter. With a gestation period of just two months, females can have 2-3 litters per year.
Let’s Take a Look at the Math:
Using conservative data to determine the number of puppies a single female might produce, let’s assume:
7 puppies per litter
2 litters per year
3 years of breeding before she is spayed
= 42 puppies (intact and able to breed)
Assuming that half of the 150 dogs fixed through the Pit Mix Fix are female:
75 females x 42 puppies per dog = 3,150 births prevented
With an investment of $20,000, the cost to prevent a birth is just $6.35
How You Can Help: Pet Friendly Services invites you to help fund – or even expand – the Pit Fix Mix program. A sponsorship of $20,000 expands the program by funding 150 additional surgeries. Your gift of $10,000 funds 75 dogs. A contribution of $5,000 funds 37 dogs. A donation of $133 funds a single surgery, preventing numerous unwanted litters.
We invite you to contact us to discuss this project (and any of our other lifesaving projects.)
Thank you for your shared love of pets!
Be a BIG help to BIG dogs - Become a Donor or Sponsor Today!
Be the Solution - How You Can Help Large Dogs!
If you love them – don’t breed them!
If you love big dogs, the best thing you can do for them is ADOPT from a shelter or rescue! Large breeds are notoriously difficult to place – so if you’re the special kind of person who LOVES big dogs, help be part of the solution by adopting from a shelter or rescue! Dogs of all shapes and sizes are available in shelters and rescues. If you have questions about adopting, visit www.AdoptINpets.org for answers and a list of rescues near you!
Pit Mix Rescues in Indiana:
- Allen County – Fort Wayne Pit Bull Coalition
- Grant County – Underdog Salvation
- Lake County – Tuff Dawgs Rescue, Inc.
- La Porte County – Mixed Up Mutts, Inc.
- Marion County – Lucci’s House Bully Rescue
- Marion County – Sketchy Mutts and Underdogs
Saving Lives & Preventing Suffering
Our mission is to eliminate the euthanasia of healthy and treatable cats and dogs, bringing every shelter in Indiana to zero-kill. We are so grateful to our donors and supporters who help make that possible. Help us, help them, and join the movement to make a difference for Indiana’s cats and dogs!
