We are a San Diego based bully breed rescue operating solely on the generosity of the community and our many dedicated volunteers, fosters, and adopters. Our fosters and volunteers range from Oceanside to Chula Vista. We are always recruiting volunteers, fosters and (of course) adopters.
It’s The Pits is a canine rescue that coordinates the fostering and adoption of dogs that haven’t yet found their permanent home. We specialize in American Staffordshire Terriers (“Am Staffs”) and American Pit Bull Terriers, but will do our best to help all breeds, often by referrals to other local rescues that specialize in that type of dog. You can find many of these on our links page. We are located in North County San Diego, as are many of the foster homes that we work with to give the animals a temporary and loving home before they are placed into permanent situations.
We rescue dogs from various shelters, evaluate them, ensure they are healthy and match them with the appropriate family. We take pride in finding the correct dog for the families that contact us by matching the activity level of the dog to the family’s needs and making sure that other pets in the family work well with the new addition to the pack. All of this is important in finding forever homes for our rescued pets. If you are looking for a special dog, or can help by serving as a temporary foster parent, please contact us.
Would you like to make a donation to It’s The Pits? We are a not-for-profit organization and have received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. You can donate via PayPal using any major credit card (no PayPal account required).
Love- Its the Pits!!! You guys ROCK! Bless our bullie and the great people that love them!
By: Shelley Bright on September 9, 2009
at 10:39 am
I wanted to say that i am great ful that to know that Tia and all of the workers work so hard to give the pit bulls a second chance and teaching others that they are not born mean but man makes them that way. thank you, so much.
chad corn
By: chad corn on January 2, 2010
at 1:35 am
Thank you Chad. Villalobos and our rescue It’s The Pits work very hard to give these deserving dogs second chances. Please help us in our fight and adopt, foster, donate, or volunteer at your local rescue and/or shelter. Word of mouth also goes a long way.
By: itsthepitsrescue on January 6, 2010
at 11:20 am
are you aware of any apartment complex that accept pit bulls? my son has had to move twice now because of his pit bull. we live in carmel mountain ranch. thank you
By: dee denzy on February 22, 2010
at 10:15 pm
I do not know of any off the top of my head. Tell your son to check craigslist. I recently found a few that allow dogs with no breed or size restrictions on there. Good luck. Tell him to keep looking, there ARE places out there!
By: itsthepitsrescue on February 23, 2010
at 11:06 am
does anyone know of an insurance company that will provide homeowners & earthquake insurance? Western Mutual Insurance Group just cancelled our home/earthquake policy because we have a pit bull. Cocoa has lived in our home since 2001 & an insurance rep came to our home unannounced. We were not home. Cocoa barked at him through our secure wooden fence. 2 weeks later we were cancelled. Our dog is well behaved,taken training classes & this didnt matter to our previous insurance carrier. Thanks for your help.
By: virginia zarp on February 26, 2010
at 6:33 pm
We actually have an insurance company we highly recommend and work with. Here is the information:
Homeowners & Renter’s Insurance
Dori Einhorn with Einhorn Insurance will be happy to help pit bull owners get homeowners or renters insurance. You will not be discriminated against just because one of your kids is a pit bull (provided you don’t have a “documented” history of biting). Contact Dori by phone at 858.336.4644, by email at dori@einhorninsurance.com or visit her website at http://www.Einhorninsurance.com
This information can also be found on the home page of our website. Hope this helps!
By: itsthepitsrescue on February 26, 2010
at 7:47 pm
HI DO YOU ADOPT PITBULLS FROM AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN MINNESOTA??PLEASE LET ME KNOW CAUSE THE OPTION THEY HAVE IS TO PUT THE DOGS TO SLEEP~PLEASE HELP!!!!I RATHER THE DOGS BE ALIVE FOR MY FAMILY SAKE THANKS ALOT!!!!
By: NIKKI on July 31, 2010
at 1:54 pm
Nikki-
I’m so sorry. We are a San Diego CA based pit bull rescue. We cannot properly assess dogs out of state and do not have the funds to transport long distances. I’m sure there is a pit bull rescue in Minnesota you can contact. I googled a couple for you; http://www.mnpitbull.com/, http://www.arottalove.org/, http://www.saveabullmn.com/, and http://pitbull.rescueme.org/Minnesota. Good luck to you.
~Melina
By: itsthepitsrescue on August 6, 2010
at 11:23 am
Ive been around dogs my whole life,46 yrs.The pit bulls are very misunderstood. In fact they are not given enough credtit for their incredable devotion, loyalty. love and affection. They are very smart!! energetic and great companions.They become part of your family. It is the human that gives this breed a bad name. They learn with such ease. With all that these rescues do this breed now has a voice.The produtions of The Little Rascals trusted this breed to be around these young children,and so would I.As with any pet you must be responsible and have knowledge of the breed .
By: phylis on August 1, 2010
at 6:35 pm
I want to thank Beth so very much. My son brought home an 8 month old pit bull that its previous owners could not take care of. He did not want the dog to go to the pound. I rent and already have 3 animals. I named him Bear because he loved to cuddle and I have to tell you he is one of the most lovable dogs I have had the privelege of knowing. It is sad that pit bulls have such a bad reputation. I ask this of everyone out there. We do not judge people and should not judge pit bulls. Every animal if loved and taken care of can be a phenomenal addition to your family. Any dog can be mean if not treated properly. Bear LOVES cats and dogs. He is obedient, loving, gentle and is looking for a family to love him and take him in. Beth was there for me and I know that he will be loved and very well taken care of. I am so grateful for It’s the Pits and what Beth and her staff are dong. Give Pit bulls a chance and you will come to realize what a phenomenal animal they truly are. Thank you again Beth.
By: kim on January 18, 2011
at 8:55 pm
That’s wonderful news. We are happy we were able to help. We’re so glad Bear showed you how amazing this breed can be with the proper ownership and that you are advocating for them. The more pit advocates to speak out against the prejudice the better the breed will be.
~ ITP
By: itsthepitsrescue on January 19, 2011
at 1:34 pm
We saw “Bear”, the male youngster on your website and would like to meet for possible adoption. We already have a great dog adopted from you(Sugar-a medium sized 6yr old female) but her housemate(a small male terrier) slipped through the gate at night and was picked by coyotes. I have filled out adoption info but had no particular dog in mind at the time. Bear or Rocky seem interesting to us. You can call me directly at 858 829-8416 to discuss.
By: Nelson Faller on January 27, 2011
at 3:52 pm
I have sent your request to the adoption coordinator. If you have filled out the adoption application at itsthepits.org someone should be contacting you. Bear and Rocky are both great choices. Thank you for your continued support.
By: itsthepitsrescue on January 27, 2011
at 4:28 pm
FOR ANY ONE WANTING A PIT BULL THESE PEOPLE REALLY LOVE THEIR DOGS….
By: Patricia Rabello Miller Walker on November 29, 2011
at 1:36 am
It’s very true. Thank you Patricia!
By: itsthepitsrescue on November 29, 2011
at 12:11 pm
Hi,i live in jos nigeria,i apprecate what you do rescuing dogs.i ve been breeding dogs for 16 years now.i m in love with pitbull dog,i would love to have a real pedigery pit. My family will love it.
By: Anthony chukwuneme on December 18, 2011
at 8:38 am
Hi Anthony. Thank you for loving the breed. I do not know what the pet population is in Nigeria but in the US we have a serious pet overpopulation problem and do not condone breeding. We believe as long as there are homeless pets in shelters and on the streets, breeding is just adding to the problem. 4-5 million pets are killed in shelters every year due to irresponsible breeders and owners. This is why we spend countless hours and thousands upon thousands of dollars to save lives of local pit bulls all through volunteering and donations from the community. I can only hope you are doing what is best for the breed in Nigeria. Also, a rescued dog is just as good if not better than one with papers.
Happy holidays!
By: itsthepitsrescue on December 19, 2011
at 11:25 am