Pit Bull Project Offers Workshops, Free Neutering Services to Encourage Responsible Ownership

The Responsi-Bull Project, a local animal welfare collective, is hosting a series of free workshops, obedience training and spay/neuter services for local pit bulls and their owners.

The series was created in an effort to curb the rising trends of pit bull abandonment and homelessness in Pierce County.

According to the Tacoma Humane Society, 14 percent of all the dogs that entered the shelter between January and October of last year were pit bulls, and 62 percent of them were euthanized.

Generally, one-third of the dogs brought into shelters across the country, including Pierce County, are pit bulls or pit-mixes and 90 percent won’t find a new home, according to Pawsitive Alliance, a charity dedicated to ending the “killing of adoptable dogs and cats in Washington” through programs to increase pet retention. 

Through the Responsi-Bull Project, pit bull owners can bring their dogs to the HUMAnE Spay & Neuter Clinic in Tacoma for free spay/neuter services through June.

There will also be a free responsible pit bull ownership workshop hosted by BullsEye Dog Rescue this Sunday, June 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Play Bow Dog Training in Tacoma. Topics will include the “dos” and “don’ts” of responsible pit ownership and how to combat misconceptions of the breed.

Owners can also sign up for a five-week basic obedience class for pit bulls, free for those who complete the entire course. Classes will be offered through June at Play Bow Dog Training and will focus on leadership practices and bonding with your dog. Space is limited and you can sign up on the BullsEye Rescue website through this registration and signup page.

Pasado’s Safe Haven is an animal rescue organization located in Sultan, WA and operates a traveling ‘spay station,’ which offers free spay/neutering services to low income pet owners and those on government assistance.

The volunteer van visits a different Pierce County location every day through June and has stopped most recently in Lakewood and University Place. On June 16-17, the group will be at the Key Peninsula Community Services, 17015 9th St. Ct. KP N in Lakebay. You can find more times and locations for the Pierce County traveling station here.