Bright Beginnings
Shadow’s Fund created the Bright Beginnings: Pit Bull Puppy Ambassador Program to reduce the population of “pit bull” type dogs in local shelters by tackling the problem where it begins . . . in back yards around the community.
The Bright Beginnings program takes in litters of “at risk” puppies, and places them in foster homes where they are trained and socialized, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. When the puppies graduate the program, they are placed in loving and responsible permanent homes.
We think this program targets every aspect of the “pit bull crisis” in our local shelters by addressing spay/neuter, early training and socialization, and providing our adopters with the support and resources needed for a successful and permanent adoption. Because life happens, our adoption contract mandates that adopters must return the dog to Shadow’s Fund if they can no longer care for their dog. We can say with confidence that our pups will never enter the shelter system. We are giving puppies a bright beginning, so that the breed will have a brighter future! Follow our puppy ambassadors on Facebook.
Foster or Adopt a Puppy
We are always in need of fosters and adopters for our Bright Beginnings puppies. We are looking for homes that are committed and ready to bring a puppy into their lives. Ideal candidates will have:
- Time to invest in their puppy’s training and socialization (ideally someone will be home at least part of the day)
- Patience (puppies are . . . well, puppies. They will chew, have potty accidents and need lots of patience and guidance)
- Resources to provide good nutrition and proper vet care
- All members of the household (including other pets) welcoming of a new puppy
- Lots of love to offer a new puppy and the ability to welcome them as a permanent member of the family
If you have questions, or would like to talk to someone about fostering or adopting a Bright Beginnings puppy, please email us at puppyprogram@shadowsfund.org.
Our adoption process for puppies includes an adoption questionnaire, home visit and meet and greet with the puppy. In some instances it will be beneficial to have a play date or two at your home to allow your new puppy – and your household – to adjust. We will help oversee introductions of puppies to other pets and children to ensure an appropriate fit.
Our puppy adoption fee is $350 which includes all shots that are age appropriate, deworming and microchip. Adopters will be contractually required to spay/neuter their puppies and complete their vaccinations by a specified date. We offer free vaccinations and spay/neuter (through our program partner C.A.R.E.4PAWS) for adopters that our local to Santa Barbara County.
Do you have a puppy, litter or pregnant female you would like to surrender to our program? Please email us at puppyprogram@shadowsfund.org.