Bullies in Need (BIN) is a rescue dedicated to the "pit bull type" dogs in Ontario who face euthanasia daily in Ontario's shelters.

Bullies in Need is a small non-profit volunteer based rescue. With our small network of foster homes we are able to foster needy bullies in a safe, caring environment until a suitable forever home has been found. Once a dog enters our rescue, they are "safe" until a home is found, we are not interested in high adoption numbers, we seek out the best type of home for the individual dog, and adopter.

All of our bullies are fully vetted prior to placement in carefully, fully screened homes. This can take some time to find experienced, breed responsible owners, therefore an adoption donation of $300 is required to help offset our expenses in the care of our dogs. Please keep in mind when applying to our organization we do require breed savvy adopters who understand and respect the breed's traits. We thoroughly screen each and every adopter with interviews, reference checks, and home visits. All of our dogs and adopters must undergo mandatory obedience classes (exceptions are made for senior/special needs dogs) in order to adopt from us.

So you are thinking of adopting a pit bull? Congratulations, you are on your way to possibly welcoming a new family member into your home, but are you really ready?

Here are some frequently asked questions about adopting pit bulls type dogs and our adoption process.

I live in Ontario. Can I still adopt?
YES!!! We have dogs in our care that are grandfathered and therefore have restricted status and can remain within Ontario. We do require that you familiarize yourself with Bill 132 (commonly known as the pit bull ban)

I live outside of Ontario. Can I still adopt?
YES!!! Unfortunately due to the ban in Ontario many of the dogs in our care are prohibited and need to find forever homes outside of Ontario. We still require a home visit for applicants outside of Ontario however we have many friends and volunteers that help us make long distance home visits possible. We have done airline transports as well as ground transports to homes outside of Ontario.

How much is the adoption fee?
Our current adoption fee is $300 CAD. This goes towards the shelter fee, vetting and keeping of the dogs in our care. When necessary it also goes towards air transports of dogs out of province.

Can I meet the dog(s) before submitting my application?
Bullies In Need is not a shelter; rather we rely on our dedicated foster homes to care for the dogs in our rescue. Since the dogs are in private residential homes we require that applicants submit a completed adoption application and complete a phone interview prior to meeting any of the dogs. Once those steps are completed we can arrange for face to face meetings at a mutually convenient time and location.

Can I pick the dog I want to adopt?
We understand that compassionate applicants get attached to the photo of a dog they want to adopt. We place dogs based on temperament matches in order to ensure that each dog goes to the ideal forever home. There are times when we will recommend a different dog to you based on our evaluation of the  type of dog that would suite your lifestyle. We will NOT ever force a dog into your home that you do not want to adopt.

What if I already own a dog?
Many times we place dogs in homes where they will have a four legged friend. Generally we make opposite gender placements. Regardless of breed, owners in multiple dog households must be aware of the risk of dog aggression or intolerance. We also require that multiple dog households do not leave their pit bull unattended with another animal and that they are securely separated when no one is present. When geographically possible we are willing to do a meet and greet with your dog and the potential new addition and assist you with ensuring that introductions go smoothly.

Can I do a trial adoption?
When geographically possible we welcome trial adoptions. These are allowed once the full adoption process has been completed as a final assurance that a perfect match has been made. Generally we allow weekend or week long  sleep-overs .

How do I get the adoption process started?
Bullies In Need is committed to finding the perfect forever homes for the dogs in our care and because of that our adoption process can seem lengthy for some applicants. We match dogs to forever homes based on what personality and behavior traits the forever home is looking for in a companion. If you are interested we ask that you contact us. We will then send you an adoption application, once that is completed we will check your references and have a follow up phone conversation with you and then finally a house visit. These steps are done to ensure the perfect dog is matched with their perfect home

Other things to consider:

Do you own or rent your home? If you rent your home we will require your landlord s contact information and consent prior to an approved adoption. If you own your home we recommend you ensure that your insurance company will continue to cover you with a pit bull type dog in the home.

Are you willing to attend training classes? Even an experienced dog owner can benefit from training classes with a new dog. Not only is a great way to safely socialize your dog but it allows for committed one on one time with your new family addition. Often we can recommend pit bull friendly training schools in your area.

Have you discussed adoption with your entire family? This included individuals residing in your home as well as family who will visit and who you will be visiting. While we require all members of your household be present at out home visit we also recommend you discuss your new addition with extended family to avoid upset in the future.

If you have any further questions after downloading our adoption, or to acquire an application for one of our dogs, please feel free to contact us.