[who_would_fardels_bear]

My understanding is that a large percentage of shelter dogs are pit bulls and similar.

Do these localities get funding based on the number of animals they shelter? Will they lose funding if people stop breeding pit bulls and the shelters empty out?

Is this a case where we need to follow the government subsidies?

[kanawa]

Your region/locale may differ from mine.

My experience with shelters indicates the employees would be overjoyed if they had no dogs at all in their shelters, if all dogs had homes with responsible owners.
I doubt monetary considerations play a major role, if any.

The local shelter which I visit regularly has only one dog I would classify as a bull/terrier type dog.

“pit bull’ is a nebulous functional term for dogs of a terrier, bull or bull/terrier type that are forced to fight in a pit by humans for gambling and amusement.
Now being applied willy-nilly to dogs that were not bred for that purpose and have a pedigree of breeding for stable temperament and conformation
but are being called ‘pit bulls’ by those seeking to destroy whole dog types based on the regrettable and preventable actions of a few owners and/or their dogs.

The AKC, under some pressure, unwisely, in my opinion, retained this functional name when registering the APBT.
Responsible owners of that particular breed do not use their dogs in pits to fight for the amusement or gambling by humans.
They either use them as family dogs or show dogs or in weight-pulling contests.

All dogs are potentially aggressive and dangerous.
Owners can exploit and encourage that built-in behavior for nefarious purposes, or counter it with responsible ownership.

Contain, Control, Maintain, Train and Socialize are the Principles of Responsible Dog Ownership.
Never assume your dog, of whatever breed or type is incapable of aggression.

My Amstaff passed away last June. I’m looking at the bull/terrier fellow in the local shelter.
He is old, his teeth are worn down.
I’m going to investigate why he in the shelter.
If it shows no negative behaviors on his part and if he fits in with my other dog and 2 cats, I’ll consider adopting him and give the old feller a home until he passes.