San Diego-based Just A Dog pit bull rescue was founded in 2008 by director Nicole Rattay. “The many pit bulls I have had the good fortune to know are the inspiration for Just A Dog,” she explains. “I was a volunteer with BAD RAP [Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls] for several years. We fostered dogs, participated in education and community outreach projects, and worked on several larger scale rescues. It was a great experience.” Here in S.D., Just A Dog provides support to shelters and owners, and works to be a source of information and education. The nonprofit organization also rescues and re-homes dogs in need, and provides a weekly handling class to help build an effective partnership between dog and owner. “We also have a compassion program,” adds Rattay, “offering comfort in a loving home environment to old or mildly ill dogs that are going to be euthanized in the shelter system. Our greatest reward is in providing opportunities for wonderful dogs to become cherished family members. It is a joy to see the human-canine bond flourish.” (619/823-8861, www.justadog.org) MIA STEFANKO
