Tough Love Pit Bull Rescue

Duke

My involvement in animal advocacy has brought so many incredible people into my life, and Gemma Zanowski and Kris Carlson are two of them. Gemma founded Tough Love Pit Bull Rescue (formerly Revamped Rovers) as a small network of foster homes and advocates incorporated in the state of Washington. However, Gemma — a recent University of Arizona Law graduate — already had worked for several years on breed-specific rescues in Arizona. Kris, also a graduate of the law school, now serves as director and the regional liaison for Arizona operations. With the help of many others, they are really making a difference for so many dogs who just need a chance to show that they can be loving companion animals.

The non-profit organization has two main goals:

• to rehabilitate, train, and permanently re-home pit bull type dogs with a high risk of death in shelters
• to educate about and advocate for pit bulls and other misunderstood breeds

Tough Love pays all medical and major expenses for fostered animals; fostering guardians usually cover food, provide a crate, and also toys.

Kirby, now in loving hands

Meeting Kirby
I’m also elated that a third friend has become a part of the Tough Love team: Ashley Brown, who co-directed the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter with me during our first year at the law school, is now fostering here in Tucson. Ashley has a soft spot for pit bulls, having worked with a rescue in Los Angeles before moving here. I introduced her to Tough Love’s Facebook page and Gemma… and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Recently, I met a rescue on his first day in Ashley’s home. Kirby was found as a stray, severely undernourished. When I met him, he was all cozy on a blanket, ready for dinner — my heart melted instantly. He’s still on the road to recovery but getting the care he needs until he’s ready for a forever home, thanks to Tough Love.

Tough Love Pitbull Rescue on Facebook
The organization facilitates rescues and fostering through Facebook: its page is filled with pictures of rescues that will warm (and sometimes break) your heart. Please help spread the word by “liking” this page and sharing with your friends. And you may consider getting more active in this network, if your circumstances are right for fostering. Tough Love currently has volunteers in Arizona, Oregon, California, and Washington. Lots of happy endings (or as I like to say, beginnings) waiting to happen!

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