By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Bama Bully Rescue is planning to host its annual fundraiser for bully breeds at risk on Saturday, April 5 beginning at 9 a.m.

The Running for the Bulls 5K and Fun Run is a family and fur-friendly event that brings together BBR’s many alumni dogs and current Adopt-a-Bulls. All of the money raised from race registration and merchandise sales will go toward veterinary care for bully breeds pulled from Alabama shelters and placed in the BBR network of foster homes.

Participants can register online at Bamabully.org/rftb. The online registration cost is $30 for 5K runners and $10 for fun runners. Participants can also register the day of for $40 for the 5K and $10 for the fun run.

All 5K runners are eligible to receive a swag bag of items from sponsors of the event. Registered dogs will receive a BBR bandana and a chance to medal.

BBR is a volunteer-run organization with members across the state of Alabama. The organization works with many different Alabama shelters to provide bully breeds who face medical challenges or appearance-based discrimination a chance at finding a home. Furthermore, BBR also provides financial assistance to bully breed owners who need to spay or neuter their dogs and seeks to educate the community about bully breeds.

Christina Knox, who serves on the Board of Directors of BBR, spoke on the inspiration behind the creation of the event and how it has evolved over the past six years.

“Running for the Bulls started as a fresh way to fundraise, one that invites the community to connect with our dogs, encourages an active lifestyle alongside their own pets and celebrates the athleticism of bully breeds,” Knox said. “We saw how much people love running and adore their dogs, so blending those passions felt like a natural fit to raise money and awareness. Over six years, it has grown from a small local event into a real celebration; more runners, more dogs and even a few wagging tails crossing the finish line with awards of their own.”

Knox believes that the fundraiser is critical for the operations of Bama Bully Rescue.

“Running for the Bulls is absolutely vital to our mission, particularly in these times,” Knox said. “Lately, we have noticed a dip in individual donations as economic pressures shift priorities for many. At the same time, with fewer resources in the broader community, we are seeing more bully breeds land in shelters and more owners turn to us for support with rising veterinary costs. Our grants program offering spay-and-neuter services and medical assistance has become a lifeline, with demand surging over the past two years. This event ensures we can uphold our commitment to the dogs in our program, those yet to join us, and the community, keeping these owned dogs healthy and in loving homes rather than shelters.”

Along with BBR facing a shifting economy, the breeds they serve are also marginalized and are continuously facing adversity.

“Pitbull-type dogs face daunting odds,” Knox said. “They are the most abused and euthanized breed in the United States. Since the pitbull-type dog encompasses several breeds and their mixes, they actually make up for about 20 percent of the U.S. dog population. In Alabama, the sheer volume amplifies the stakes, with countless dogs needing a safe haven. Beyond the shelters, these dogs and their owners grapple with housing barriers from property managers, insurance hurdles, legal restrictions and even social stigmas.”

Knox explained how BBR addresses the issues bully breeds constantly face.

“At Bama Bully Rescue, we address these issues by carefully placing exceptional, well-rounded dogs into our communities, true breed ambassadors,” Knox said. “We also empower our fosters, adopters and communities with education on responsible ownership, sharing best practices to shift perceptions and build a stronger, more welcoming Alabama for these dogs.”

Working with local shelters to identify and rescue at-risk dogs is a critical cog of BBR’s mission, according to Knox.

“We have cultivated strong relationships with our Alabama shelter partners, some spanning over 15 years,” Knox said. “They understand exactly what we are looking for: dogs with steady temperaments, who get along with other pets and are good with children. When they spot a promising candidate, they reach out and we step in. Even if a dog arrives with medical challenges, provided they have got that star quality and we have a foster home available, we will cover every cost to restore their health thanks to our wonderful donors and fundraisers. Our mission is the restoration of the breed through responsible ownership, and we do that by placing the best dogs into our communities, where they can shine as bully breed ambassadors.”

While the overall public perception of bully breeds remains negative, events like the Running for the Bulls seek to shift that narrative.

“Running for the Bulls has been a game changer in reframing how our community sees bully breeds,” Knox said. “Over the past six years, this event has brought hundreds of runners and their dogs together, showcasing these animals and their families participating in an outdoor activity on a beautiful spring day. It provides the opportunity for dog lovers even with non-bully breed dogs to mingle with the Bama Bully Rescue Family, while simultaneously supporting a great cause.”

For more information on the Bama Bully Rescue, visit Bamabully.org.