If you happen to be a pit bull owner, or even share your life with a dog that may, to some, resemble one, you may be familiar with this scenario. You’re apartment hunting and find the perfect place, one that you can afford and get the green light to move in, only to have that approval revoked after disclosing your dog’s breed. If finding a rental property that accepts dogs is tough, finding one that welcomes bully breeds can be daunting, at best.

One company, who understands first hand that our canine counterparts are just as much a part of our families as anyone else, is making it easier for owners of often discriminated breeds, mainly pit bull-type dogs, to find a place that everyone can call home.

Founded in Minneapolis in 2011, My Pit Bull is Family was created not out of the efforts of an advocacy group, but by a landlord, a local woman in the Twin Cities area. “(She) realized that the rental she offered was one of the only ones in the Twin Cities that allowed pit bull-type dogs,” says Shannon Glenn, executive director of the nonprofit. Today the organization has grown exponentially, providing resources for dog owners across the country, and doing their part in the fight against breed-specific housing and insurance discrimination, with an always-expanding database listing all pit bull-friendly properties.

Related: One L.A. Comic Is Standing Up for Pit Bulls, Both On and Off the Stage

My Pit Bull is Family makes searching for housing simple. Using an interactive map on their website, dog owners can click on their home state, and a list of contact information for potential rental leads will pop up. “The important thing to remember that many of these are leads, and we say that because management changes so often that they may not allow all breeds after a management change,” Glenn says.

With thousands of families searching for pet-friendly housing every day, the importance of a resource such as My Pitbull is Family is immeasurable, as they work to keep families together — an ambitious mission.

Not everyone is in a position to pick and choose exactly where they live, so many are forced to make a tough decision, one no dog lover should have to make. “There are just not enough rentals that allow these dogs, or all breeds of dogs, and in return, we see more of these dogs on the streets and in shelters because often families need to make a choice between housing and their family dog,” Glenn states. Indeed according to findings, 29 percent of people give up their dogs because their landlord or residence does not allow dogs, making it the number-one reason part with their four-legged friend. As traumatic as it is to say goodbye to a beloved pet, such breed-specific discrimination goes beyond affecting a single dog or family, placing an undue burden on their own communities.

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Keep in mind, the term “pit bull” does not actually refer to one specific breed of dog, but is often used as a blanket term, covering an array of bully “types.” The most common to fall under this blanket are the American staffordshire terrier, staffordshire bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier, however, other breeds with similar physical characteristics such as the boxer, cane corso, bullmastiff and English bulldog are often considered to be pit bull “type” dogs, depending on who is assessing. Since one attempts to classify a dog as a pit bull-type using just visual clues, the room for error in misclassification is endless, and that’s not even considering the proven ineffectiveness of breed specific legislation.

With a bully breed named Wilbur rounding out her own family, Glenn knows all too well the importance of advocating for pit bull-type dogs, and their owners. “This cause is really important, because there are thousands of families searching for pit bull-friendly housing every day, and they are constantly turned away due to the breed of their family dog,” Glenn states.

My Pit Bull is Family also offers users a list of insurance companies that do not participate in breed-specific discrimination. With many agencies out there refusing to offer homeowners and renters insurance to people with certain types of dogs living in the home, usually pit bull-types, rottweilers, German shepherds and chow chows, to name a few, the list offers owners a reprieve from potential rejection. The site features San Diego-based company Einhorn Insurance advocates who not only insure owners of unfairly-labeled “aggressive” breeds but also encourage landlords to rent to responsible pet owners, with the help of their CBO (Chief Barking Officer,) a bully baby named Bernice.

As the organization is run by 100 percent volunteer efforts, the database relies heavily on supporters to share rental information of properties allowing these breeds. “Without our volunteers, we are nothing,” states Glenn. With input from pet owners, pet-friendly renters and pit bull advocacy groups such as Pinups for Pit Bulls and BAD RAP, My Pit Bull is Family operates as a collective effort in order to function, benefiting everyone involved in the long run.

Related: After City Enacts Pet Limit, Owners Forced to Give Up Dogs

Their “I Am” Campaign is bringing people together online, encouraging responsible pet-owning parents to snap a pic with their “I Am a Responsible Tenant” signs, and tagging them @Mypitbullisfamily on Instagram, while the Pittie Express Messengers program is always looking for supporters to organize My Pit Bull is Family events in their own community. “Our team is growing and we are really excited about that,” says Glenn.

In terms of advocacy, My Pit Bull is Family is making big strides in the name of anti-breed specific discrimination. In addition to attending several events around the Twin Cities, the group is throwing one of their own, with a free screening of The Champions, a documentary which features rehabilitated and rehomed dogs seized in the Michael Vick abuse case back in 2007. “They just had a huge dogfighting bust down there and we have teamed up with Bikers Against Breed Specific Legislation to host a screening,” Glenn says. Information for the screening can be found on Facebook at The Champions Film Screening and will be shown this Saturday.

The group also plans on speaking with property management companies in an attempt to share their positive stories as well. “There are benefits to renting to families with all breeds of dogs and we want to hear them from those who benefit from them,” Glenn adds.

A “My Pit Bull is Family” seal of approval for pit bull-friendly rental properties to proudly display is in its early stages of development, but Glenn and company are hoping to get that project off the ground soon, so potential renters know right away whether they are welcome or not.

Diminishing the stigma created by the mainstream media and society against these bully breeds is a massive undertaking, to say the least, but with the help of pit bull-lovers, owners, and anyone fighting for fair treatment of animals, regardless of their breed, change can certainly come about. “If you believe something is unfair, act on it,” Glenn urges. “I fully understand what it’s like to be frustrated and feel like you’re alone in feeling that way, but if we all work together, this is something that we can change.”

Related: Shelter Will No Longer Have Breed Labels on Kennels for Adoptable Dogs

Main image via My Pit Bull is Family’s Facebook page