National Pit Bull Awareness Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of October, so the exact date differs a bit from year to year. The main point of this holiday is to celebrate the breed and change the negative stereotypes surrounding it. In many cases, Pit Bulls are considered aggressive and dangerous. However, this simply isn’t true in most cases. They aren’t more likely to bite than other dogs. In fact, a study1 by the American Temperament Test Society found that Pit Bulls have a passing rate of 87.4%, which is higher than many other breeds.
Therefore, this day is aimed at celebrating the good qualities of Pit Bulls and spreading the information gained from studies like the one above. Many shelters celebrate this day, as Pit Bulls are extremely common in many shelters.
While there are few official celebrations, individuals can make a big impact by using this day to volunteer and donate.
How to Celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Day
There are tons of ways to celebrate this day. Some popular options include:
What Does Pit Bull Awareness Mean?
Pit Bull awareness is about educating people about this “breed.” To be frank, the term “Pit Bull” actually covers several breeds that are similar. However, the Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier is one of the most common Pit Bull breeds in the United States, and it is the breed most people think of when they imagine a Pit Bull.
Educating people about this breed involves dispelling the many myths surrounding them, such as the idea that they are aggressive. Pit Bull awareness can also mean promoting responsible ownership of Pit Bulls, which can help dispel the myths about their temperament over time.
There are many reasons why Pit Bull awareness is important. First, Pit Bulls are often the target of breed-specific legislation (BSL), which bans or restricts the ownership of Pit Bulls. BSL is often based on prejudice and fear rather than on facts about the breed. Pitbull awareness can help to combat BSL and ensure that Pit Bulls have the same rights as other dogs.
Pit Bulls are also disproportionately represented in shelters—either due to improper ownership or because they’re less likely to be adopted. There are negative stereotypes surrounding the breed that can prevent potential owners from choosing them at shelters. Pit Bull awareness can also help teach people about how to interact properly with dogs, which can help limit the number of dog bites that occur.
Conclusion
Pit Bull Awareness Day helps promote awareness about this misunderstood breed. It’s a chance to celebrate Pit Bulls and encourage their adoption at shelters. You can also use this day to educate others about Pit Bulls, which are often the topic of several myths.
There aren’t many events that celebrate this day. However, many shelters and adoption centers may hold events or discount Pit Bull adoption on this day. You can also donate or volunteer to celebrate this day.
Featured Image Credit: dogboxstudio, Shutterstock
