It’s not an easy life for Tia Torres and the folks at her Villalobos Rescue Center. After shoving off from Los Angeles and setting up a new life for herself, her family and the dogs in New Orleans, she’s already underwater. I don’t mean that in the real estate sense. As we talked about the Season 4 premiere of Pitbulls and Parolees on Animal Planet — tomorrow night at 10pm ET/PT — she explained that the recent hurricane had resulted in flooding in the rural, swampy area where she and some of her employees live. She also had a lot to say about her mission, and what’s different about it all since they moved to the Big Easy. (Hint: It’s not at all easy.)
Channel Guide Magazine: Let’s start out by talking about the move to New Orleans. How did that all go, and how have things shaped up for you in Season 4?
Tia Torres: It took us about a year to plan, and a year to actually make it happen. It started off where I knew that we needed to leave California for several reasons. One was financial; two was the change in all of the laws, and the rules and the regulations out there. And probably the third was — I don’t know, just for us personally, it just didn’t seem like Los Angeles County, at least, was very receptive to the program that we were doing. … Everything had been great. I don’t know if it was the TV show bringing more attention to what we did, but they just didn’t seem to like what we were doing.
It was mainly by law enforcement. … One example was, for whatever reason, the sheriff’s department started coming by our place in the middle of the night — like 1:00 in the morning — and they would put their spotlight in through my windows. I’m sure just to wake me up. [Laughs.] There was no other reason. The first time, I thought, “Accident.” After a couple more times, it’s like, “Why are they doing this?” We had a couple of days where we had a lot of volunteers over, helping us walk dogs, and the sheriff would come by and just park outside the place and just watch. And so the volunteers would sit there and say, ‘Wow — you weren’t kidding.’ I said, ‘Told you.’ [Laughs.] So that was one of the reasons.
CGM: Getting things up and running in New Orleans — how has that been going?
TT: We’re still doing it. We hit the ground running, because when we were moving, we were filming, and when we finally got everything moved here, we were still filming. It’s hard to juggle both, so as we speak, as I sit here, we are still painting and putting things together — trying to do both.
CGM: It sounds like doing Pit Bulls and Parolees has made your life harder, but has it made the mission easier? Is it a good trade-off?
TT: It’s made the mission easier, but my life harder. You get both answers on that one. Because sometimes, for instance, bringing attention to our mission has absolutely changed, I think, the public perception on pitbulls. I mean, we get so many people saying, ‘Wow, I never would have known if I hadn’t seen your show.’ So that’s great. It’s raised our adoption rate, but I think what happened in L.A. County — because, aside from us, L.A. County and California were going through their own problems. People forget that we’re not just pitbulls. We also work with these guys coming out of prison. And it’s no big secret that California leads the way in problems with their penal system and their rehabilitation programs for guys coming out of prison. I mean, it’s all you ever hear — the overcrowding and the budget. So I think maybe with us having the show, it brought more attention to that. And maybe California and Los Angeles County was like, “Uh-oh. This lady is kind of exposing us.” I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t know the reasoning behind things. So the show has helped the dogs tenfold, but as far as our parolee program, it was rough. I mean, we had one of our guys actually harassed quite badly by law enforcement when they saw him one day. And then they actually made comment, basically, “You’re on that Pitbulls show.” And just really harassing him bad — and it got physical. In Louisiana, we’ve been received 10 times differently — open arms, “California’s loss is our gain”; the parole department out here has been absolutely fantastic. Just so, so appreciative. Everybody here has made it so easy for us to exist. Everybody here has been so appreciative. Everybody here has been so nice — it’s just a completely different attitude.
CGM: What can we expect to see in this season?
TT: It’s a different world out here. The rescue stories, to me, are way more heartbreaking. A lot more heartbreak just because of what’s out here. Because there are no resources out here in Louisiana. Los Angeles had tons of resources for dogs and for pitbulls needing help. Out here there are none. Hardly any. I live outside of New Orleans — I live out in the country, out in, like, a swamp area. And they don’t even have animal shelters out here. They’re very few and far between. So if you’re a stray pitbull, you’re a stray pitbull till you die. Because there’s no one who’s really going to come and get you. It’s rough — it’s really rough. … What’s really cool about being out here in Louisiana is that the lifestyle’s so different. The visuals you’re going to see are really cool. You’ll get to see the way life is in the city of New Orleans, and then a little bit of how I live out here in the swamp — out here in the country. So it’s pretty cool, the two different worlds.
CGM: As I understand it, the stats on pitbulls is pretty staggering. It’s something like one in 600 gets adopted every day.
TT: Yeah, I know. The intake absolutely outweighs the outtake.
CGM: How do you personally cope with that reality — that not all of them can be saved?
TT: When we first announced that we were coming here, the general consensus was, “Oh, boy — you’d better boot up and suit up, because it’s way worse out here.” And we’re like, “Yeah, yeah, yeah — what do you know?” Well, I will be the first to admit I was completely caught off-guard. The number of pitbulls out here that are abandoned, neglected and abused is four times, five times, 10 times worse than in Los Angeles. That is something I know, especially, my older daughter is having a really hard time with it. She even told me, “What do I do? How am I going to get through this?” You know, you do — if you’re going to survive this lifestyle, if you’re going to survive this business, you do have to suck it up because it will consume you. It will eat you up, and you won’t last. It’s not that I’m calloused to it or I don’t care. It’s that I have to just look at what’s right before me. Because I’ll end up in therapy or I’ll end up dead. You’ll just end up going crazy. It’s rough. It’s not something that I recommend, for someone to wake up to in the morning and say, “Hey, you know what? I think I’m going to start a pitbull rescue.” That’s probably one of our most common phone calls and emails. “I want to start a pitbull rescue just like you.” And they say, “What advice can you give me?” The first thing I tell them is, “Don’t do it.” … You will see more heartache than you do happiness. That’s just keeping it real.
CGM: I think there’s something of a trend in pitbull advocacy and adoption right now, in part fueled by your show as well as by Pit Boss, but there’s always the stigma of pitbulls to contend with. For that matter, you deal with the stigma of Parolees as well. What do you think the average person can do to diminish that?
TT: Well, when asked that question, I think I’m the reality check. Sometimes people don’t like my answer, but I’ve been doing this long enough where I can have kind of an attitude. The biggest problem with the pitbull stigma is the owner. And hold on before you even go there — I don’t mean the owners that abuse their dogs. A lot of times, these pitbulls end up in trouble because their owner is a good owner who’s in denial. I cannot tell you how many times I get a phone call or an email saying, “Help me — my dog just got confiscated by Animal Control.” And I’m like, “What happened?” “I don’t know! I took him to the dog park — ” “OK, stop right there.” Anybody who’s been in pitbulls as long as I have knows dog parks are a no-no with pitbulls. It’s just an accident waiting to happen. So basically, these owners have set their dogs up for failure. I tell people, “If you’re going to get a pitbull, you need to do your homework.” You need to know that you’ve just taken on the Ferrari of the dog world. And that’s how I see them. That’s what kind of irritates me. … You have to accept the fact that these dogs are of terrier descent, which means they have the potential to be animal-aggressive. A hard-core pitbull owner that’s going to hear this is going to be nodding their head right now, going, “Yep, yep — she’s spot-on.” So when I have someone say, “No, it’s just how you raise them!” I’m like, “OK, you scare me. You shouldn’t own a pitbull just based on that comment alone.” … That’s a long-winded answer, but the quick answer is, to help break the stigma, don’t put the dogs in a situation where they end up being the stigma.
CGM: Do you have a particularly memorable rescue that stands out, either from the pitbull side or the parolee side?
TT: For this season, the parolee side is going to be Earl. America is going to fall in love with Earl. He’s the most genuine, kind, soulful man. He’s just — he’s a dream. He’s an absolute dream. Every mom is going to want to claim him as her son; every woman is going to want him as their husband; every child is going to want him as their dad. He’s the real deal. … As far as dog rescue, I would have to say the St. Roch Ghost Dogs — a family of dogs that had been living under a house in New Orleans since Katrina. The mother dog — she just kept having litter after litter, after litter. Anyway, they were completely feral. Couldn’t get next to them. It took us a week to get them, but that was a pretty cool story. It was very stressful — one of my tougher rescues — but really cool.
CGM: How do you wind down after a long day of dealing with the people and the dogs, and everything that is involved in running Villalobos? Does it ever get to be more than you can bear — and when was your last vacation?
TT: I have never had a vacation. Ever. Vacation, to me, is when we are on the road, filming. I just got back from New York and Kentucky, back to back, doing two adoptions. … That, to me, was like a vacation, if you could call it that. I love to drive, so I have a lot of fun driving on the road. That’s fun, for me — being on the road and driving. If you can call that a vacation, that’s a vacation. I got to see Manhattan for about a minute when I went up to meet everybody at the Animal Planet office. It was like, park underground, go upstairs, meet everybody at Animal Planet and come back out. And as I was walking to my car, that’s how I got to see Manhattan. That was my vacation.
Right now, I don’t have a home. My home got wiped out in the flood. My days end at about 1:00 in the morning, because I’m trying to answer emails until about 1:00 in the morning. I would have to say my guilty pleasures are watching Sons of Anarchy, True Blood and Vampire Diaries. [Laughs.] Those are my guilty pleasures. I watch them, and then go to sleep. And then I wake up to start the day early in the morning.
Tracy Werner of Natural Pet Market contributed to this story.
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Photo: Animal Planet/Bob Croslin
TIA Torres como estas? I really love what you do. I would like to get to the point can you help me start a rescue here in chicago ILOVE to help others animals(PITS) and people.
Hi Tia im trying to get in contact with you if you can email me asap I gota ask you something…..thanks again amanda
Thank you. Tia for what you do and what you are willing to do to rescue both pitbulls and parolees. You have had a tough life and I so appreciate the sacrifices you’ve made to accomplish what you have.My so has a pitbull that his friend rescued from a shelter and couldn’t keep. She is the light of his life and she is our granddog. She is my first experience with pitbulls and yes there have been challenges but we love her so much. We have also learned much about the breed. I try to educate people as much as possible about them and wipe away stereotypes. Keep up the good work. I want you to know I am a woman with a strong Christian faith and I am keeping you, your family and your parolees and dogs in my prayers. I know the best weapon against the ignorant garbage that the news media spews out is real education.Your programs do a lot to dispel the myths but those who watch also have an obligation to set people straight who have bought into the lies.Thank you Tia and girls for what you do. God bless you.
Tia, I love your show I watch it everytime it airs. I wanted to say, “Thanks” to you, your family, and the parolees if it wasn’t for people like all of you the majority of pitbulls wouldn’t even stand a chance! I wish there was a way that we could all put an END to dog fighting, abuse, and neglect. But, meanwhile at least we do know there are people out that do care, and are trying to help save these beautiful creatures. May GOD bless everyone of you!
I hope Tia can read this. I admire everything that you do, I absolutely love you guys. what you do for the doggies as well as the parolees really touches me because in my life I deal with both.. a pit and a parolee (first offense, and it was a huge misunderstanding, so that will be off his record soon, God willing).
But well, I want to share a happy story with all of you! I have a pit, she is 2yrs old now, I met her when she was 5 months, she was the cutest wobbly head in the whole world, but she was in a bad situation, living on a basement with 4 other pits, she was sharing a cage with one pit and would be in her cage most of the day. She would use the bathroom in her cage and so would the other doggie sharing it with her, her food was left inside the cage, but she would never want to eat it because; obviously, that was their bathroom as well..
She was skinny, I could see her ribs through her skin.. she was fearful, and scared of everything. My boyfriend, who is also a parolee.. introduced me to her, and from the moment I saw her.. our mission was to take her out of there. So we did.. after 4 months of that event, we asked the owner to allow us to bring her home with us, and he agreed.. then we told him we wanted to keep her.. she was already 9 months.. never had shots, never had seen a vet, so we told him we would take care of everything for her, but that we wanted to keep her.. so he agreed, she was 30 lbs when we got her at 11 months, and she is now 55 lbs.. she runs the house now, along with my 10 year old schnoodle who bosses her around.. 🙂
As for the other doggies, the vet who took care of my pit was able to adopt one of the other doggies, and the other 2 also found a home! none of them went to a shelter and are now fine and happy… rescued!!
I just wanted to share a happy story with everyone! and God bless Tia and her team for protecting the doggies and giving second chances! May God always provide for you and your family of pits and parolees! 🙂
Hi tia my name is william im 24 and ive been watching your show iam an owner of pitbull who is ten months his name is simba I took him away from a bad living situation he was in, he is my first pitbull and just want to say thankyou for what you and your family do to take care of pitbulls we need more people like you especially here on the east coast where everyone looks at him as a vicious dog its sometimes difficult to deal with because even my family treats him that way he is basically my first child i never planned on owning a pitbull but very happy i do now I wish you all the best
hey!!! this is savannah tucker and i just want to say that i apsulutly love what tia and her family does for the pitbulls/and you cant forget the parolees 🙂
and if tia is reading this i want to tell you how much i admire you! im even doing a speech about you and what you do for school. just hope i dont mess up!!! i have alwaysed loved animasl and i wish there is more that kids could do to help. im almost thirteen and im diriving my mom crazy with all of the dog talk!! cant wait to see the new episod comming january 5th. :))) c~ya!!
Hi my name is Katrina. I just wanted to say that well I watch your show all the time and its just an absolutely amazing thing of what you and your family and co-workers have done. Pit bulls aren’t the friendliest depending on their upraising but you rescuing them is a wonderful thing. I have a part lab part pit bull and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. She’s my baby and means everything to me. I love the passion that all you guys have for what you’ve done and taking in people who don’t have a chance at getting jobs. Your an amazing person and I respect everything you’ve done at giving these dogs a home they deserve. Keep up the good work 🙂
Tia,reply to Emily Caldwell ,I have 2 pitbull 7 month old puppies i am looking to find forever homes for due to my husband and I are both dealing w/medical issuses and I can’t handle them or afford them any longer(if you are interested in adopting one of our puppies please get in touch with me…i have 1 male & 1 female #985-270-0077 Cheryl
Help, my nephew was just sentenced for violation and is looking at 3-14 years and has a two year old female pit that has been fixed. She lives in my mothers back yard on a chain and is very sweet, however my mom is 79 and april has drug her off the porch 2 times after my mother brought her in due to weather.
Please help, I can only give the dog another two weeks as I have been looking and I just don’t know what to do. I have 4 disks in back messed up, my husband has had numerous hand surgeries. We can’t help more than feed and water her. She does not need to live on a chain, but too sweet to put down.
I have called all the rescues here and no one wants to help.
Sharon
Tia, my name is Kevin Fant and i have been watching your show for a very long time.ive raised pitbulls from 2000 till 2002 and i would love to come and work for you .
Anyone who “raises” pitbulls doesn’t have a clue what Villalobos or any other rescue is about.Go to Petfinders and see how many pitbulls and pit mixes are needing good homes. Until there is a good home for every puppy born there should be no breeding.If you really love bulldogs educate yourself and walk the walk.
Hi Tia, I think you & your family are fabulous.
I Love put bulls. I’d Love to get a pitbull/ mix.
I’m retired, retired early as a nurse. I’m just enjoy
Ing life.
Keep up the excellent work U do !!!
I am retired but I would like to help you ladys and guys.In memorry of Love Towa my loveing German Shpeard.I love dogs ,tooo!!!My tears are slowly dripping but love never ends!!!God Bless.Sincerly Detlef Radatz.
If it wasn’t for me watching Tia and the Paroles I would have never adopted a pit … Never would have thought about it ! But now I own the coolest Pit dog ! He was saved from starving, fighting other dogs for hes food.. I seen this dog go from such a good looking dog to bones.. I just had to have him… one day the man gave him to us !!! Now He is a 70 pound biggest baby you could meet.. I taught him how to sit, lay down, roll over, stay I mean for like a minute, and play dead… every one loves that trick… So Tia thank you for giving me the courage to have the best Dog I have ever had… Ow the only problem my Dog Zoos has is that he can’t hold hes liquor……..Love You All….from Lisa and Zoos…
I really would like to send you a donation. It would not be anythingbig but I don’t have a credit card or paypal. Could you send me your address so I can send a donation. Thank you. Cathy.
Tia, I am concerned about Tyler having custody of his daughter. His situation is already stressful. He could easily take out his stress on his daughter like he did on the dog. And just as unreasonably. And he would be so sorry afterward–in a state of disbelief.
Your rescue operation is amazing. Your family is even more amazing! I wish I could adopt all the animals. And the black lab mix is a sweetheart. Would love her. God bless you. Thank you for your rescue and for your show, which I never miss.
Hi i love your show im from uk so pitbulls are banned over here so i am gutted id never be able to own 1 but id do have a staffordshire bull terrier which is close lol you do an amazing job id love to be able to do wat you do even if it was for just a day.
I watch ur show all the time. Keep up the good work.Someday i hope 2 be able 2 adopt a dog from u guys.
Hi, I agree with Sara. My husband and I do NOT miss your show. We are HUGE dog lovers. We rescue all and any breed. We have a young pit mix..PIT/ wait for it……DOTSON! We love her like crazy! Our son rescued her when she was just 4 weeks old. I can only amagine what would have happened to her had he not. She was the runt of the bunch..his friends took the others so we know what her sisters look like. We are in Cali on 2 &1/2 acres & had four dogs but just lost our 16 yr old Dingo/bull mix. The dogs run the house….. we just pay the mortgage! Anyway, love what you do! Both with the dogs & parolees. If you ever need help back here in Cali, you have my e-mail. Seeing those puppy’s tonight, & remembering seeing them rescued by you guys was awesome. I told my husband I wanted to jump in the car & drive to NO & bring them home. Keep up the great work. Where can I send a donation?
Doreen
Love It , wait for it.. That dog has got to be so cute…
hey this is sara roland and i just wanted to say that you are so amazing for what you do for the pitbulls. my mom and dad have raised them for over 18 years at least. we all watch and love your shows all the time and the way you help them is so unbelievable. i loved the episode when you saved prada it was touching very touching. i just dont know why people make pitbulls seem mean and always want to kill anyone and every thing. it makes me mad so much and they way people only get them to fight them like micheal vick ugh. i personally thing he should go to prison and fight for his life for doing that. i want to do what you do with the animals but i will get to attached to all the dogs and not give them away lol. i wish i could work with you all you guys are amazing at what you do i want to meet you all in person so bad.