Our Mission
- To facilitate the rescue and adoption of homeless dogs identified primarily as pit bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, pit mixes, bull terriers, American Bulldogs and mastiffs by placing said dogs into solid, stable homes.
- To provide for the care, medical treatment and rehabilitation of said dogs.
- To provide training and socialization of said dogs in preparation for adoption.
- To conduct interviews, home checks and verify references of potential adopters.
- To aid in the prevention of suffering, cruelty and homelessness of relinquished and abandoned dogs known as pit bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers and pit mixes through the dissemination of information and public education.
MABBR Board of Directors
Cassie Weber
President and Board Member
Jourdyn Ruesch
Secretary and Board Member
Cara Fiser
Board Member / Treasurer
Sara Kallenbach
Board Member
Vicky Sagar
Board Member
Josh Kallenbach
Board Member
Mid-America Bully Breed Rescue History
Founded in 2003 by two devoted dog lovers, Kansas Pit Bull Rescue (KPR) was born out of compassion and urgency. At the time, countless homeless pit bulls were being euthanized in shelters—victims of breed-specific legislation and the unwillingness of shelters to adopt them to the public. KPR spent years pleading with shelters to allow them to pull these dogs. When KPR was able to convince one shelter to relinquish dogs to them, others followed suit.
But faced with limited space, few volunteers, and insufficient funding, KPR’s founders were often forced to turn away dogs they desperately wanted to save. But rather than give up, they took action—transforming their small foster network into a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to giving pit bull-type dogs a second chance.
With the unwavering support of donors, volunteers, and advocates, KPR placed over 100 pit bulls and pit bull mixes into loving, responsible forever homes within their first two years as a licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Kansas Pit Bull Rescue Becomes Mid-America Bully Breed Rescue
As we met more local bully lovers, KPR expanded in 2005 and created Mid-America Bully Breed Rescue (MABBR), a foster home network maintained entirely by volunteers. Since its expansion, MABBR has successfully placed over a thousand pit bull-type dogs into permanent homes. With hard work, dedication and charitable donations, we believe MABBR will continue to have a meaningful impact on bully breed dogs in the Midwest.
The Dogs in MABBR’s Adoption Program
MABBR volunteers rescue dogs from a variety of different situations. However, most of the dogs in our program come from small shelters in the Midwest where they have little chance of getting the exposure they need to find the right adopters. All the dogs in our program are temperament tested and evaluated on a daily basis until they find their new homes.
Most MABBR dogs are in foster homes where they are socialized with other dogs, children and adults. Our foster families play a big part in our success as they not only invite these dogs into their home and care for them, but they also spend countless hours working with their foster dogs to ensure they are stable and well-mannered pets.
MABBR takes the responsibility of choosing good adoption prospects very seriously. Although we don’t expect the dogs to come to us with perfect manners, we do expect them to be friendly with all people. MABBR has a zero tolerance policy with dogs that exhibit human aggression and will not place dogs that display dangerous behavior towards humans. As responsible bully owners and rescuers, it is our duty to ensure the dogs in our program are good breed ambassadors.
MABBR is licensed by the State of Missouri and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Milestones
- 2022
- MABBR hears about a hoarding situation in Missouri where over 60 dogs are being kept. Over a span of 3 months and with the help of local organizations, MABBR is able to remove all the dogs and place them with the rescue or in foster homes.We broaden our social media presence by posting on Tiktok and Instagram to gather nationwide followers. MABBR hits the 10,000+ mark on Facebook.
- 2020
- Adoptions soared at the onset of the pandemic and we worked furiously to keep up with the number of families seeking new companions. We placed 14 dogs and took in 23, keeping true to our quality over quantity placements.
- 2016
- MABBR gained an even bigger presence on Facebook with 8,000+ followers. We revamped our website and took 21 dogs into our program.
- 2015
- MABBR celebrated its 10 year anniversary and placed 35 dogs.
- 2012
- MABBR has 5,000+ followers on Facebook and placed 28 dogs.
- 2011
- MABBR launched a new website with a more efficient method to update adoptable dog listings. MABBR placed 25 dogs.
- 2010
- As the economy continued to suffer, so did adoptions. MABBR still managed to place over 35 dogs with new families in the metro.
- 2009
- The economy took a toll on dog adoptions in 2009 but MABBR was still able to find new families for over 60 deserving pit bulls.
- 2008
- With the help of dedicated volunteers and an expanding foster home network, MABBR places over 120 pit bulls, American Bulldogs and bulldog mixed breeds into new homes. MABBR even helped a few non-bullies find new families.
- 2007
- MABBR places over 80 pit bulls, American Bulldogs and bulldog mixed breeds into new homes who would have otherwise perished in shelters.In winter, 2007, MABBR rescued “Shiver” who had been left for dead in the winter cold. Shiver had severe frostbite and his back side and his testicles had actually frozen to the ground. Friendly and calm throughout his entire ordeal, he was taken into MABBR’s boarding program and became an instant celebrity overnight with spots on several Kansas City television stations as well as a clip on Keith Olbermann’s “Worst Person” list on cable television, which called out the person who left Shiver for dead. Unfortunately, Shiver’s abuser was never found, but he was successfully adopted into a new home following his rescue. See Shiver on YouTube
- 2006
- After successfully placing over 120 bully breeds into new homes and becoming one of the more widely recognized pit bull rescue organizations in the Midwest, Kansas Pit Bull Rescue becomes Mid-America Bully Breed Rescue (MABBR). MABBR’s volunteer base grows from four to over 40 and averages 35 dogs in its program.
- 2005
- Kansas Pit Bull Rescue expands by obtaining its nonprofit status and adds more bullies to the adoption program.
- 2003
- Kansas Pit Bull Rescue founded by two pit bull advocates.