First off, these guys are a non-profit--so it's going to be a lil' bit different than working with a breeder or going to a shop. But they genuinely have the dog's best interests in mind and want to make a perfect match. They specialize in Pitbull / Staffordshire Terriers and mixes and the like. Before you get excited....these are "high maintenance" working dogs (they need to do things, even if it's something simple like ripping a leather work glove into the teeniest bits). And, they can be headstrong (the dogs, not the .org). They need jobs, exercise, and rules, and a strong "leader" who will enforce those rules. Then you will have incredibly happy dogs. I would not recommend these breeds for beginners, but an experienced dog person will be delighted having one of these incredibly affectionate critters around (I get leaned and slobbered on when I come home. Pretty great!). I found my interaction with this crew to be professional, although somewhat scatterbrained because there are a bunch of people who are involved on the back end and AFAIK they all have day jobs as well. However I found my perfect puppy here and adopting her was pretty painless. I genuinely feel these guys are out for the dogs' best interest. There is an application to fill out and a phone call and a home visit. They want to put these critters into loving homes--not fighting rings or puppy mills. Remember though, these are generally larger working dogs and they need exercise and challenges! If you want a moving pillow...do not go this route! Get a Cavy Span http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierkingcharlesspaniel.htm instead. But, If you want a challenge and are active and don't mind working a dog into a silly mess that slurps up water and then licks your face with ridiculous amounts of happydrool, please browse those pretty faces and fall in love with a loving critter who would love a comfortable permanent home. read more

I adopted my pit-mix, Cooper, from these guys nearly 5 years ago. At the time I was without a car, so they actually brought him to me and did the home inspection and everything all at once. I'm so lucky to have gotten such a fantastic, docile, easygoing (see:lazy) dog. Hes generally good with other dogs, loves people and little kids and unless he gets in the trash when I'm at work, he's just about perfect. Thanks for a fantastic dog and smooth experience! read more

Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue - Cooper - Adopted Halloween 2003 - Animal Shelters Near Me

I am forever grateful for CBBR for rescuing my incredible pit mix puppy. She is a great dog. The foster mom we worked with was really helpful and easy to communicate with. She did the adopting and home inspection in one which was really helpful. The reason I'm giving this rescue 2 stars is because they promised she would be spayed (we had to take care of this on our own) and when we took her to the low-cost clinic, they also said she will automatically get all of her shots -- all of which were promised with the $200 adoption fee. After a bit of calling an adoption counselor and having her talk to a tech at the clinic the day of the schedule spay, we got her spay paid for as well as some of her shots. They promised to provide the bordatella shot and pay for the remaining shots on her bill ($30). I sent numerous emails over a 2 month period with ZERO response. We ended up just paying the $30 (plus $200 adoption fee) as well as paying out of pocket for the bordatella shot from our vet. I understand this is a volunteer agency but they do not give what they promise. They are hard to get a hold of and do not care about follow up once you've paid your adoption fee. Always adopt your animals but make sure what they say is true! read more

Horrible!!! I rescued a "puppy" who I love and adore but the experience has been VERY disappointing. I paid the donation of $300 but my dog did not have the chip, spayed or rabies shots. They claimed they will handle it on their end. Its been 5 months and I no communication. The foster never returns my emails. I am speaking with someone else at the shelter and she hasn't been able to help me either. Rescuing an animal is important but if you are dealing with CBBR I would make sure your dog has everything the donation covers before you take owner ship. My poor dog doesn't have ANYTHING they promised. read more

We just became foster parents to a sweet 4 month old Pitbull mix. She was rescued from Chicago Animal Care and Control. Because of her breed mix,she would have never been offered for adoption and all pitbulls and other bully breeds face the same fate,unless a breed specific rescue comes and places them in foster homes. These great dogs are euthanized unless someone from a rescue comes and gets them. Not their fault some gang banger or dope dealer thinks it's cool to have a tough looking dog or to fight them for money. Dog fighting is becoming a major problem in the Chicago area and many pups are used for bait if they are not aggressive enough.If you witness or even suspect dog fighting,please call 311 in the city and your local police in the suburbs. A worthwhile organization that could use more help.They do not currently have an actual facility,but rely on volunteers to help house the dogs until forever homes are found. Update 4/29/07 I am very allergic to Peanut and another volunteer has offered to take her until a forever home will be found. I am very sad about that, but we did save her from euthanasia,so can't be too sad about that. She had a good start with us and learned how to sit and was doing great on her house training. She will make someone a great pet. Peanut is getting spayed today and vaccinated and microchipped. She will be available for adoption very soon,so if you'd like a lively,sweet pup, look her up on the website or call and ask about Peanut. She is an awesome dog and will repay you with kisses and snuggles! Update 5/03/07 Peanut is recovering from her spaying and doing well. She should be available for adoption very soon! Her new photos, taken by Sheri, are up on the website and also in my profile.She is about as cute as they come!! Please consider adoption when adding a companion to your life. These are great dogs and they deserve a chance. Update 5/18/07 I am very sad to report that poor Peanut is being considered for euthanasia. She did not transition well into her new home and attacked a dog and the person trying to break them up. From what we were told, she messed up this woman's hands pretty badly. It saddens me greatly to hear this,as Peanut was sweet and loving towards us and Bandit. She is a very dominant girl,but I would not have said she was aggressive or dangerous. She will be evaluated by one of CBBR's trainers and if they cannot work with her to resolve this ,she will be put down. I understand why this must be this way,but still makes me sad to know that such a young dog has suffered so much trauma to cause this type of behavior. Update 7/07 Poor Peanut was euthanized. Her issues were too deeply embedded and she was deemed too dangerous for adoption.Very sad,she could be so sweet,but she just was not well bred or socialized and who knows what happened to her in her short life. R.I.P., little Peanut and live free. read more

I can't say enough good things about CBBR. They are an extremely hardworking network of volunteers who have saved the lives of hundreds of great dogs who--due to the unfortunate reputation of their breed--would never have found homes. My partner and I adopted our beloved pitty from CBBR a year ago, and we are grateful to them every time we look at our Bea. It breaks our heart that Bea could have been one of the thousands of pits and pit mixes who get put down by shelters just because of ignorance and prejudice toward her breed. Our dog is cat friendly, playful and safe with other dogs, sleeps in our bed, and at a year old doing advanced obedience. I hope you will consider adopting a dog from CBBR or helping them out in whatever way you can. I know they are always in need of foster homes for new dogs and puppies as well as monetary donations. You can also help by spreading the word that Pits are wonderful dogs who desperately need caring owners and the continued help of organizations like CBBR. Thanks, CBBR. You guys rock. read more

I'm confused, I wrote stating that I am interested in a dog but didn't hear from anybody. I then called and left a message twice...and still nothing. Go figure. read more

I am so grateful to CBBR for helping me adopt my precious Andie. She had been scheduled to be euthanized an hour before CBBR was able to rescue her. No one knows what happened to her before she was picked up by Animal Control (they pegged her as around half a year old at the time), but she was found tied up to a fence and was obviously abused; her tail had been unsuccessfully docked, and her trauma was clear. I venture to guess that she was deemed not very aggressive by her original handler and was used as bait for fighting dogs. I am so amazed by CBBR's amazing in helping to rehabilitate and train Andie. She had been in a kennel for nearly two years until I was able to adopt her, which is a crazy about of time for a dog to be locked up! The kennel did not have staff walking her, but fortunately, CBBR has a few amazingly dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to train her to be home-ready. The application process was very easy and efficient, and my adoption counselor was great with communication and helping me transition as a first-time owner. As another person mentioned, most of the CBBR people work with the dogs on their own time and have day jobs outside of their volunteering, and my adoption person (Bree) was no exception. I feel bad for that reviewer who had a bad experience with their adoption fee and spaying/shots, but I myself had a perfect experience. Andie was spayed, chipped, and had her shots before I even met her. I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but since I adopted Andie from CBBR, I was gifted with three free training sessions with a PetCo trainer. Not sure this is standard with all CBBR adoptions though since I'm pretty sure the trainer (Angela, who is also great!) is a CBBR volunteer as well. I am a first-time dog mommy, so the training sessions were absolutely essential. My learning curve was pretty steep. I had fun learning how to dog-proof my home through a lot of trial and error, lol. Andie is sometimes way too smart for her own good. She figured out how to open doors, cabinets, etc. very quickly, so I had to become very savvy in a very short amount of time, haha. But now that I've appropriately adjusted our home environment, Andie is a perfect puppyish two-three year old. CBBR gave me a indoor kennel and prong collar to help me at first, but I soon realized that she did not require either. I let her have pretty much full reign in my 1-BR apartment (except for the locked storage room where I keep her food), and I return home from work to an incredibly happy and affectionate goofball everyday. I love her so very much, and it's all thanks to CBBR! Love you guys!!!! read more

Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue - my baby, Andie :))) - Animal Shelters Near Me