Our Pack

Our Pack is a non-profit Pit Bull rescue, training and education organization based in Los Gatos, California. The organization was founded by Marthina McClay, a certified pet dog trainer and therapy dog tester. Our Pack rescues Pit Bulls from abusive situations, and provides education and training about the American Pit Bull Terrier breed to the public.

In 2007, Our Pack earned a national reputation for working with former fight bust dogs when founder McClay rescued a dog named Leo [1] that was seized in the now-infamous raid on NFL star Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels. McClay fostered Leo in her home and trained him as a therapy dog. Despite his rough start, Leo blossomed under Our Pack's care and received his therapy registration in just five weeks. The story made headlines in national media outlets, including The Washington Post,[2] MSNBC.com,[3] on the Best Friends Animal Society's network[4] and many others. In early 2010, McClay formally adopted Leo, and he continues his therapy work today.

In addition to working with Leo, Our Pack has rescued Pit Bulls from dog fighting raids and other abuse cases throughout the country, consulting with the Humane Society of Missouri on a fighting raid case in Stoddard County in 2007, another in Arizona in 2008, in Georgia in 2009, as well as consulting on similar cases in Mississippi, Alabama and other states across the nation, again helping abused Pit Bulls to begin new lives as therapy dogs.

In the fall of 2009, Our Pack rescued three Pit Bulls seized in the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.[5] The multi-state raid was coordinated by the Humane Society of Missouri and resulted in the seizure of more than 500 dogs.

Our Pack holds Pit Bull education and training classes throughout the California Bay Area. The group is especially known for its "leash reactive" training classes, which help Pit Bull owners teach their dogs to walk calmly on a leash around other dogs.

Today, Our Pack holds Pit Bull training classes and lectures throughout the California Bay Area. The group is especially known for its "leash reactive" training classes, which help Pit Bull owners teach their dogs to walk calmly on a leash around other dogs. The class is free to fosters and volunteers that bring shelter dogs from Humane Society Silicon Valley, and for adopters and fosters through Our Pack, Inc. In addition, the group offers free Pit Bull education classes to the public, as well as a class designed for shelter staff and animal control officers on Understanding Pit Bull Basics.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#30854870
  2. ↑ http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/once-groomed-fight-michael-vick-dogs-find-new-purpose
  3. ↑ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25214356/
  4. ↑ http://network.bestfriends.org/6623/news.aspx
  5. ↑ http://www.mynewsdesk.com/us/view/pressrelease/our-pack-to-transform-missouri-fight-bust-victim-into-therapy-dog-330659
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