CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue volunteer structure is established using a network of foster homes and volunteers who manage all aspects of rescue. We do not have a physical shelter or offices, but we maintain open daily communication via email lists, which are broken up into various areas of interest and need.

We are always in need of foster homes to house needy pit bulls while they wait for their forever love . We also need volunteers to care for some of our rescued dogs waiting in boarding to be moved into a foster home (see information below).

We do not employ any paid staff – CDT are solely responsible for the following activities: evaluation and bailing dogs, screening adoption applications, writing articles on pit bull plights, fundraising/writing grants, kennel work, answering general email, designing graphics and printed material, organizing and attending adoption events, CDT  Promo and PR (contacting media, radio shows, newspapers and other media outlets), fighting BSL, doing home checks, web site and database management, paper work/files, thank you cards, adoption and sponsor follow ups, training rescue dogs, taking pictures and writing dog’s biographies, tracking and training new volunteers, Updating Pet finder, buying food/running errands for CDT Bully Breed  Rescue, and writing/distributing the monthly newsletter *COMING SOON* (writing articles, news, announcements etc.).

CDT  has a coordinator team who provides governance and leadership, but all volunteers share responsibility for the various areas of work as they are experienced in and also as are needed.

CDT needs volunteers, who are self-motivated, can initiate and carry out activities with little supervision, but who are aware of and in tune with CDT’s philosophies and guidelines. If you feel you can help CDT  by volunteering your time and energy, please fill out the form below so that we can become familiar with your breed experience and home situation, and we will contact you to discuss your participation more fully.

CDT urges you to completely think out the realities & commitments needed to be a successful foster home. Anyone can save a animals life, but its the future of the breed in its entirety that we are focused on, Placing sound, correct temperament pit bull terriers from puppies to adults is our goal, we will NOT waiver from that.

As a foster care parent you will enter into an agreement that if we find a dog/puppy to be unsound by a CDT representative   we will make the decision to have a humane euthanasia for that animal, *we will not be second guessed on this decision.    

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM

Foster Homes are temporary homes for rescued dogs until a permanent home is found. Fostering is a vital part of CDT  makes an incomparable difference in the life of homeless dogs. Our foster homes are the backbone of the organization, and a large percentage of dogs we can save rely on our foster homes availability.

When you are a foster "parent", CDT  provide all necessary vet care and food  - We just ask that you be willing to invest your time, love, and a space in your home. All expenses such as medical care, must first be approved by CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue Treasurer.

Foster parents also play an important role in the placement/adoption process, and may be asked to talk to and meet with prospective families.

Fostering is also a great way to experience a Pit Bull in your home before committing to one of them for the rest of its life. Our foster homes always have first say on the dog they foster. If you become too attached to your foster to let him or her go, you are welcome to keep the dog (exceptions may be made with same-sex placements).

Because of the diverse background of the Pit Bulls we rescue some are ready for adoption as they come to us and some may need a significant amount of time, training and patience invested in them to prepare them for adoption. Foster homes give those dogs a chance to learn how to be a good family companion before going to their final home.

Fostering Requirements:

1. CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue foster homes must be located in Central Indiana, or within driving distance. CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue proceeds with a home check before approving a foster home.

2. If you do not own your home, you need to provide your landlord's phone number for verification that you can have a foster dog in your home. We also need to verify BSL in your area.

3. You need to have a good understanding of the breed, or be willing to learn. If you have other pets, you need to follow the safety guidelines suggested by PBRC when having Pit Bulls around other animals. We want to minimize the risk of fights.

4. We occasionally look for short-term foster situations but we usually need long-term foster homes. Dogs can be stressed from being bounced from foster home to foster home. It also makes our jobs harder if we have to keep moving a dog from one "temporary" home to another.

5. We need understanding and patient foster Moms and Dads to commit to keeping a dog until it is place in a permanent home. Placement times for a CDT rescued dog can vary from 6 months or more, or as short as a week. The dogs in foster care are kept "as long" as needed to find them the most suitable home. When it comes to a challenging breed to place like Pit Bull dogs, this often means several months in foster care. If you can’t commit to keeping the dog as long as it takes, fostering a Pit bull is probably not a good idea. We ask our foster homes for at least 4 months commitment.

6. Our Foster Homes should set a good example and meet our adoption requirements. This means that all pets in the foster home should be altered. Dogs should be kept inside the house, unless in a safe and secure kennels "approved" by CDT and only in good weather. Foster homes should respect city limit regarding the number of animals in home.

7. Foster homes must fill out CDT Foster Contract.

What CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue will provide to a foster home:

1. All necessary food, flea and heartworm prevention for the foster dog if desired.

2. All authorized veterinary care for the foster dog.

3. Pre-evaluation, pictures, and promotion of the foster dog in several web sites and adoption events. We will also screen applications and do home checks.

4. Support and aid for you for any questions you have along the way, including training questions.

5. If we can, we will loan crates, leash, dog dishes, etc, for the foster dog.

6. The knowledge that you are giving a dog extra time to live, and another chance to find a loving, safe home!

CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue will get:

CDT will collect the adoption fee when the dog is placed so it can be applied on the rescue of another dog.

The Challenges of Pit Bull rescue

The breed is challenging to place for many reasons. A lot of good dog owners are victim of the bad press targeting this breed, and hard to convince to open their heart to a Pit Bull dog. The breed however, attracts all kind of unsavory individuals who should not even own a gold fish. Placing a Pit Bull in the right home requires extensive screening and education. In addition, CDT Bully  has some adoption requirements such as no-same-sex placements, no multiple dog homes, no outdoor living, etc. Many of the homes that apply for a Pit Bull are declined due to their lack of safe and responsible environment for such tenacious, powerful and affectionate breed. Finally, Pit Bulls face "BSL" in many municipalities in the region. City Halls or Animal Control Offices must often be contacted before a placement can be made. When you take all this in consideration, you understand why finding a good loving home for a Pit Bull is not a piece of cake. The reward however, is more than you could ever imagine.

The reward a Pit Bull rescue

Look into the eyes of your foster dog and you will find the best reward in the world.... Not to mention all the grateful kisses and snuggles you will get during your fostering adventure...

From the Foster home to the new permanent home:

Our foster homes are included in the adoption process and make the placement decisions with us. While the foster dog is in your care, CDT  will work with you to screen prospective adopters, make home visits, and attempt to find the perfect match for your protégé. We will not place your foster dog in a home that makes you uncomfortable. We can meet potential families together and the placement is thoroughly discussed with everyone involved.

The rescue dogs however, are selected and bailed out by CDT remain the organization's responsibility. Our foster homes cannot make rescue and/or placement decisions without the approval of CDT Bully Breed Education and Rescue officers.

Letting Go:

It is not easy to let go our foster dogs. All CDT volunteers understand this very well. Foster parents are often concerned about their attachments to the animals - When they realize what a wonderful gift they were able to give to an animal in need, it makes it all worthwhile! To have opened your heart and your home, and given a needy dog a second chance is truly an amazing experience. By turning them over to their permanent home, you will be able to foster another Pit Bull in need if you so choose. If we can only save one more life, it is worth the world and the sadness to say goodbye.

If you can help, please fill out the Foster Care Application or  contact Foster@casadeltoro.org