By ERIK SOKOLOWSKI
In the picture to the left is Mandy. She is about 2 and a half years old, and was rescued by a passer by, after being found beaten with a hammer. She had also just given birth.
Mandy was eventually taken in by Voorhees-based Lilo’s Promise, a rescue organization that specializes in saving pit bull-type dogs.
“Unfortunately, situations like Mandy’s are very common,” co-founder Jennifer Conners said.
She added that it is extremely upsetting that dogs, like Mandy, are put in the situation they are.
“The breed is all about love,” Conners said. “The want to please to a fault. They only want to give love and be loved.”
The history of pit bulls is long and complex.
Starting with Petey, of Little Rascals fame, the breed was so respected that it represented the country in propaganda posters in World War I.
In addition, it is the only breed to make the cover of Life magazine three times. Unfortunately, somewhere between then and now, the breed, mostly through negative media attention from dog fighting, has fallen out of the graces of the general public.
In fact many areas have passed bans on the breeding and owning of pit bulls.
“The state trying to tell you what breeds you can or cannot own doesn’t work,” Conners said. “The problem isn’t the dog, it’s on the other end of the leash.”
Conners and Anita Anastasi started Lilo’s Promise five years ago after seeing the need for an organization like theirs, and due to the discrimination of the breed that they encountered.
The pair met while volunteering at a shelter, when they met Lilo, a young female who was the favorite of volunteers.
According to the group’s Web site, www.lilospromise.com, Lilo “was not a pit bull, she was a dog that deserved to be loved. She brought us together as friends and taught us so much about her breed; their love and trust of people, how completely silly they are, how they are viewed by the general public, but more importantly that no matter what adversity they’ve endured, the eagerness they show to love and be loved.”
The group’s main goal is to save those dogs that are out of time at local kill shelters, and dogs that are overlooked and discriminated against because of their breed.
“This is not just for any Joe who decides they don’t want their dog anymore,” Conners said. “We must get 60 to 70 requests a day.”
The group emphasizes obedience and socialization for the dogs, and in finding suitable homes for the rescued dogs.
“Trained dogs will stay in the home,” Conners said. “With no training, often times the dog will be returned. Nothing breaks our heart more than a returned dog. These dogs need exercise, stimulation, love, care and training.”
The group also follows the dogs throughout their lifetime, and adopters sign a contract saying they will return the dogs to Lilo’s Promise in the event that the dog must be returned.
Currently, the organization has six dogs, housed at a private kennel, but the organization’s aim is much higher.
“Our goal is to buy a piece of property with facilities for training, an office, but most importantly a place to give the dogs what they need to go home,” Conners said. “If we have our own facility the dogs can run, play and learn manners. These dogs deserve this as they all have potential, and not every dog gets a chance. We just try to help dogs that no one else wants.”
Conners also stressed that it is not a question of if, but when in regard to the facility.
“So many people support big entities,” Conners said. “We want to show people that this is a great local rescue, and that people will know where their funds are going.”
In addition to the tiring, thankless work Conners and Anastasi do at the shelter, and with individual dogs, the group also uses outreach in local schools to reach the younger members of the area.
“We teach the kids about the rescue, about spaying and neutering,” Conners said, “and more importantly not to judge a book by its cover. These children are future dog owners and rescuers, and if it helps one child, we did our job.”
And it is very easy to get involved with the organization. In addition to volunteering to assist in fund raising, training and with clerical work, Lilo’s Promise is always looking for foster families and pet sponsors.
More immediately, the group is hosting its fifth annual Mutts and Martinis fund raiser at PJ Whelihan’s in Cherry Hill, on March 12, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door.
To get involved, visit lilospromise.com. There visitors can view adoptable pets, sign up to volunteer and more.
