Hope needs an Indiana-PAW foster parent.

Calling All Indiana-PAW Heroes,

Tonight, we received a request for your lifesaving help. Rebecca Stevens, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Hamilton County, contacted Indiana-PAW to ask if we can help provide foster homes for 12 very special dogs at her shelter who need heroes. The situation is as follows:

Recently, 8 very sweet, loving Pit Bulls arrived at the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC), and bore the clear signs of having been victims of the cruel "sport" of dog fighting. The dogs had been viciously starved and had some of their ears torn away to make them "mean." HSHC tells Indiana-PAW that the 8 Pit Bulls are anything but mean - instead, they are loving, friendly, gentle dogs, and show no signs of aggression towards people or other dogs.

Before these 8 Pit Bulls arrived at HSHC, the shelter already had 4 other Pit Bulls and Pit-mixes awaiting adoption. Rebecca Stevens, HSHC's Director, told Amy Van Ostrand, Indiana-PAW's Executive Director, that it takes, on average, approximately 4 months for the shelter to find a responsible adoptor for a Pit Bull. Stevens explained that this makes it challenging for the shelter to handle the sudden influx of Pit Bulls and provide the 8 victimized Pit Bulls with the specialized love and care they need right now. Thus, HSHC would GREATLY appreciate help from you: Indiana-PAW's constituents.

Here is what HSHC needs: They need help from anyone willing to foster any of the 8 Pit Bulls from the apparent fighting ring, along with anyone willing to foster the other 4 Pit Bulls already at the shelter (who are also all very sweet dogs). Below are photos and bios of the 4 original Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes at the shelter, and you can also click here to read a newspaper article Rebecca Stevens wrote about the 8 rescued Pit Bulls, which includes photos. If you can provide a foster home to any of these 12 wonderfl dogs, please contact HSHC at hamiltonhumane@yahoo.com or 317-773-4974, and tell them "Indiana-PAW sent me!"

Mazie is a 3 year old, spayed, brindle Boxer/American Pit Bull Terrier mix. Her road has been a long one. She came to HSHC after having a litter of puppies who she took excellent care of. Mazie was a good mommy, but unfortunately, lost some of her puppies to pneumonia. Those that survived have since been adopted to wonderful families, but Mazie is still waiting for her home.
Marius is a neutered, 4 year old black and white Terrier-Pit Bull mix. His beautiful markings and regal stature are complimented by his confidence. Simply put, Marius knows he's got it going on! He is very playful, loving and good with children. He is sometimes shy at first, but he'll be in your lap before you know it. He is not all that fond of cats, so his home must be cat-free.
O'Beraun is a 1 1/2 year old brindle and white Boxer/American Pit Bull Terrier mix. He absolutely loves attention. He would be perfectly content have you rub his belly for as long as you'd like. O'Beraun is very excitable and vocal in his kennel which is often misperceived as being aggressive. Once he is out of his kennel and in a visiting room, he melts against you. He is strong guy, so he would be suited best in a home with older children. He would be a perfect companion for a single person or senior looking for companionship and a loyal friend.
BlackJack is a 2 year old American Bulldog/American Pit Bull Terrier. He is a sweetheart and has a great temperament. He is obedient and is very gentle when taking treats. He would make a wonderful pet for any family. He is not doing very well in the kennel, however. He is extremely stressed out and has been pawing at the kennel gate causing damage to his paws. Because of this, HSHC would like to find BlackJack a foster home where he can be in a more comfortable, healthy environment while HSHC continues searching for his permanent home. Foster homes with other dogs will need to do an introduction with BlackJack to ensure compatibility.

Let's start the New Year out on the right foot and help these pups!