In 2009, we were introduced into the world of the Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest animal shelter in the US that focuses on one breed of dogs: pit bulls. Pit bulls are largely misunderstood and misrepresented in today’s society, and many people find themselves highly intimidated or plainly afraid of this breed of dogs. The show Pit Bulls & Parolees premiered in 2009 on the Animal Planet network with the goal of reintroducing the pit bull breed into the world, so the world can finally see and understand what kind of dogs they truly are.
There are many reasons why you should be watching the show. The first is clear: watch the show so you can learn more about pit bulls. That’s plain and simple. But you’ll soon realize that these dogs are not just normal dogs; majority of them have been neglected, abandoned, or abused. The rescue center is focused on rehabilitation the lives of these dogs and getting them to a new home as soon as possible.
You’ll also soon find that getting to know these animals through the show means that you’ll also get to know Tia Maria Torres, the founder of the rescue center and her family, which includes the four children she has raised on her own since her husband’s been . Torres currently has about 400 pit bulls rescued under her organization. With the sheer number of dogs alone, the amount of work is almost palpable. Torres’ husband came up with the idea to hire parolees and give them the jobs of caretakers to the pit bulls. This idea not only took off, but it also made perfect sense.
Many parolees have difficulty finding stable jobs after leaving prison. The rescue center gives them an opportunity for employment, an opportunity to help rehabilitate broken and hurt pit bulls, and an opportunity to also rehabilitate themselves. This is another reason why you need to see this show. The interaction between Torres and her parolee employees are nothing short of interesting. It’s a completely different lifestyle that’s quite remote from the norm, giving us a great insight on what life is truly about. In addition, the interaction between the parolees and the dogs are just heartwarming.
The rescue center has a permanent location in New Orleans and has a few scattered satellite locations throughout South Louisiana. The day-to-day grind of the center is another reason to watch this show. After all, it isn’t easy to run a pit bull rescue center, let alone handle multiple parolees at a time. It isn’t easy and it isn’t cheap either. The show gives Torres the opportunity to stay in business, and it also gives us the opportunity to get a glimpse of what life must really be like as a parolee here in the US. For Torres, the work simply has to be done.
As much hard work as it takes, she doesn’t mind it because she knows she’s doing something worthwhile. Her goal is to eventually stop, not because she’s gone tired of the mission. Hopefully, she will have to stop working because people finally learn how to properly care for, befriend, and ultimately love pit bulls that there will no longer be any need for a rescue center altogether.
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