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BAD RAP (acronym for Bay Area Dog-lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) is an animal welfare and rescue group based in Oakland, California, devoted to caring for and improving the public image of pit bull terriers as pets.
| Abbreviation | BAD RAP |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Purpose | Humane care for animals |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California |
Region served | United States |
Official language | English |
| Website | badrap |
Description edit
BAD RAP is a federal non-profit organization (under IRS Code 501(c)3) located in Oakland, California. It was incorporated in 1999 to address the needs of homeless dogs, specifically homeless American Pit Bull Terriers, and to provide support and resources to animal welfare organizations that deal with pit bulls. The organization also focuses on providing owner support, in the form of training, spay/neuter assistance and other resources, to families who own pit bulls.
Programs include a volunteer foster care for homeless dogs, "Pit Ed" dog training classes for the public, and AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification prep classes with regular testing events. BAD RAP also advises shelters around the country in best practices for creating viable adoption programs for their sheltered pit bulls. The group ran a "Breed Ambassador" program inside the East Bay SPCA from 2005–2008 and inside Oakland Animal Services from 2008–2010.[1][2] BAD RAP hosts animal welfare professionals in conferences and workshops and offers hands-on training to help them gain a working knowledge of the breed in quarterly week-long camps hosted in Oakland. Its public outreach work includes free "Shots Fairs" and a spay/neuter voucher program in low-income communities.
Achievements edit
In its first two years of operation, the organization rescued 74 dogs, of which 72 were successfully adopted.[3] Since its beginnings, BAD RAP has placed approximately 40 dogs a year in new homes, although its primary purpose is education and advocacy. In 2006, BAD RAP received the American Humane Association's award for Best Practices in Behavior and Training for its Pit Ed and Canine Good Citizen Prep classes.[4]
Dog fighting cases edit
In September 2007, BAD RAP was contracted by the federal government to participate in evaluating 49 pit bulls from Bad Newz Kennels, Michael Vick's dog fighting operation,[5] as part of nine-person ASPCA-led evaluation team. BAD RAP member Tim Racer later returned to Virginia to re-evaluate 48 of the pit bulls alongside the court-appointed attorney, Special Guardian/Master Rebecca Huss, and assisted in recommendations for placement. This work led to the release of 47 of the dogs to rescue or sanctuary. Co-founders Racer and Reynolds were nominated for Sports Illustrated's 2007 Sportsman of the Year award for their role in the rescue of the dogs.[6] For their work with the Vick dogs, BAD RAP was awarded a portion of the $928,073 fine that the court ordered Vick to pay for the care of the dogs, as well as $5000 for each dog BAD RAP rescued from the dog fighting bust, and "$18,275 per dog for 'each dog that was likely to spend a significant amount of time, if not the dog’s remaining lifetime, in a more restrictive environment such as a foster home or sanctuary environment."[7]
After the gag order was lifted on those who were helping in the Vick case, BAD RAP members and dogs appeared on several television shows, including CNN, the Rachael Ray Show, Animal Planet, and ESPN's E:60. Media coverage also included articles in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Bark Magazine, and Sports Illustrated.
In April 2009, BAD RAP participated in a closed-door meeting in Las Vegas with several animal welfare leaders to encourage the Humane Society of the United States to end its decades-long stance of recommending the euthanasia of all dogs seized in fighting operations. That meeting resulted in a policy change and formation of a working group of six organizations, including BAD RAP, to monitor the effects of the change.[8]
In August 2009, BAD RAP representatives were again contracted by the federal government to evaluate two groups of dogs that were seized as a result of what is being called the largest federal dog fighting sweep in the midwest.[9]
References edit
- ^ Henry K. Lee (August 10, 2005). "Animal lovers tout the goodness of pit bulls: East Bay shelter, dog group show off nice examples of the breed". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Henry K. Lee (August 11, 2005). "Pit bull fanciers eager to polish dog's image:Group encourages adoption, not euthanasia". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Janine DeFao (July 30, 2001). "Saving pit bulls:Owners working to overcome the breed's image say the dogs' behavior depends on their treatment". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ "American Humane Association honors NINE ORGANIZATIONS for "best practices"". PETS. November 21, 2006. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ "An Underdog's Second Chance". Associated Press. January 27, 2008. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ George Dohrmann (November 19, 2007). "My Sportsman: Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls: The caretakers of Vick's dogs are the real heroes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ "University of Richmond News". news.richmond.edu. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ Christie Keith (April 10, 2009). "Best Friends, HSUS announce new policy on fight bust dogs". Pet Connect. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
- ^ "Homes tough to find for dogs seized in raids". NBC News. Associated Press. July 30, 2001. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2009.