List of animal rescue groups that will take Michael Vick pit bull terriers

Animal rescue groups to care for confiscated Michael Vick pitbulls as recommended by Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss.

By Best Friends staff

December 6, 2007

Judge Henry Hudson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has approved a recommendation by a guardian/special master appointed by the court that 22 of the 48 American pit bull terriers connected with the Michael Vick civil forfeiture action be placed with Best Friends Animal Society.

Michael Vick pit bull terriers to go to various animal rescues

Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, in a Summary Report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, recommended that 47 dogs (one has been euthanized for medical reasons) be placed with eight organizations. Here is a list of the organizations that will take dogs, with the number of dogs they will take in parentheses:

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah (22)
Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP), Oakland, California (10)
Richmond Animal League, Richmond, Virginia (4)
Georgia SPCA, Suwanee, Georgia (3)
SPCA of Monterey County, California (3)
Recycled Love Inc., Baltimore, Maryland (3)
Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Virginia (1)
PACK (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness), San Francisco, California (1)

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to take 22 Vick dogs

"The court has granted Best Friends the opportunity to do what it does best – provide a caring, rehabilitative home for these abused, homeless animals," said Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Best Friends. "They deserve the very best that we can give them, and we are prepared to provide a safe place for them to stay for the rest of their lives.

"The pit bull is easily the most misunderstood breed of dog in the U.S. Unfortunately, it is the very loving and loyal nature of these dogs that makes them prone to exploitation."

Huss expressed confidence in Best Friends and the other rescue organizations recommended for placement. "For the dogs that may need to remain in a sanctuary environment, although there will certainly be a period of adjustment, I believe that these dogs will not just survive, but thrive in that environment."

The report was prepared during multiple visits by Huss to Virginia, where she interacted with the dogs and their caretakers, and spoke with animal control officers and numerous rescue organizations, including Best Friends.

In July, the United States filed a civil forfeiture action relating to approximately 53 American pit bull terriers located on the property of Michael Vick. The court appointed Huss as guardian/special master of the 48 surviving dogs.

Photos of happy, well-loved pit bulls who have forever homes by Molly Wald.