Pit Bulls and Parolees is ending because Discovery sold some of its networks to Warner Bros, and some shows have been cancelled due to “budget cuts”.
Pit Bulls and Parolees is one of Animal Planet’s flagship reality format shows which premiered in 2009.
The show is premised on Tia Torres, the owner of one of the largest dog rescues in the US, and the Villalobos Rescue Centre crew finding homes for pit bulls and simultaneously giving parolees a second chance at life by employing them.
The show provided feel-good content throughout its 13-season run, which is why it came as a surprise when the season 19 trailer was released, and it was confirmed that it would be the last season of the series.
This is because Discovery sold some of its umbrella networks to Warner Bros, and part of the reconsolidation meant axing the show.
Pit Bulls and Parolees: Total number of seasons and episodes
Ironically, Pit Bulls and Parolees premiered in 2009 in October, which is the same month that the reality format show started its series finale run with episode one of season 19 airing on Saturday, 22 October 2022 on the Animal Planet.
The show has had an amazing run in its 13 years, which included a number of specials aside from the 19 seasons. In total, the number of seasons, episodes, and specials are:
| Seasons | 19 |
| Episodes | 195 |
| Specials | 51 |
The upcoming season is expected to run until November 2022, though no specification has been made with regard to the number of episodes that are expected for release in the new season.
Why is Pit Bulls and Parolees ending?
The conclusion of Pit Bulls and Parolees was confirmed in the month when the official trailer of season 19 was shared, which confirmed that the series was coming to an end.
This was a surprising announcement as the show was one of the flagship shows for Animal Planet. Moreover, given that the show was still a ratings winner for the channel, it did not make sense why it would be cancelled.
Coupled with the fact that the Animal Planet did not go into detail about the reason for the show’s cancellation, fans knew that there was more to the matter because of the constant questions and Tia Torres’ own frustration.
Torres addressed the reason for the show’s cancellation via the Villalobos Rescue Centre Facebook page.
In the lengthy post, Torres shared, “The network has been sold and it ‘appears’ that not much will be happening with Animal Planet anymore, or at least for a very long time. Sad but I guess that’s what they call ‘business’”.
This is in reference to Warner Bros. buying some of the umbrella networks under the Discovery Channel.
As a result, some channels have been consolidated along with their programming due to alleged budget cuts. One of those shows is Pit Bulls and Parolees.
Tia Torres bids farewell to Pit Bulls and Parolees
In light of the series finale premiere of Pit Bulls and Parolees on Saturday, 22 October 2022, Tia Torres shared her parting words about the show on the Villalobos Rescue Centre Facebook page.
Instead of thanking the cast and crew and general public for supporting the show throughout its 13-season run, Torres wrote:
“As they say, ‘the show must go on’ and it will. Just not on the traditional TV platform. We are warriors. Survivors. We will keep on keepin’ on. Villalobos Rescue Center will remain in place as it has for the past 29 years. As we always say….no dog left behind”.
Animal Planet gives Pit Bulls and Parolees a fitting send off
While Animal Planet has not announced anything about its reason for cancelling Pit Bulls and Parolees, the channel has ensured that the series finale run continues some of its traditions from the past.
This is as the new season will continue the tradition of “You Watch, We Give”, which is based on the fact that Animal Planet has pledged to donate $1 for every viewer who watches the show in real time up to the value of $20 000, which is donated to the Villalobos Rescue Centre.
The funds provide food and proper shelter for the pit bulls which have been rescued by the animal rescue centre.
Pit Bulls and Parolees finds a new home
While it is sad that Pit Bulls and Parolees is ending on Animal Planet, this is not the end of the series completely. This is as Tia Torres has decided to create her own network which will host the hit show.
However, due to licensing issues, it will not be released under the same name when it arrives on Torres’ platform, My Rabid Reality.
Instead, the show will premiere with the new name of Life with Underdogs. The network is currently free, and viewers are only asked to make “small monthly donations”.
It is unclear when the “new” series will start airing on the newly-established network.
