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Tia Torres has dedicated her life to New Orleans-based Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest Pit Bull rescue center in the U.S. where she and her family work tirelessly to provide Pit Bulls another chance in life while also offering a fresh start to parolees. Now, after 30 plus years of experiencing the high and lows of animal rescue and breaking down stereotypes of both pit bulls and individuals who have been released from the prison system, Tia her family take a special look back at the extraordinary milestones they have accomplished with a special 200th episode and season premiere of PIT BULLS & PAROLEES. The 2-hour premiere airs Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT, with 2-hour episodes airing every Saturday following the premiere featuring even more incredible rescue stories in this supersized season.

In the season premiere and special 200th episode, Tia’s children, grandchildren and parolees gather to recall their favorite stories across 200 episodes filled with heartbreak, joy and the memorable rescues that have shaped their lives. We’ll see the early days from season one, when Mariah was still competing in beauty pageants, and the very first dog Tia rescued on the series – a senior pit bull named Walter. Tia and her family also reminisce about the twins meeting Lizzy and M2, the adjustment to living in Louisiana, and of course the most memorable, surprising and heartwarming adoptions from over the years.

This season, we’ll see how Villalobos has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and how Tia and her family have found creative ways to find dogs forever homes – while also giving back to the New Orleans community, in spite of the shutdown. We’ll also witness Tia and Mariah temporarily close their beloved restaurant and boutique amidst the global shutdown, and although a challenging decision, the pair looks ahead to a new beginning to reinvent both businesses and keeps their utmost focus on their rescue efforts.

Throughout the season, audiences will also experience more incredible rescue stories than ever before. We’ll see Tia as she deals with one of her most difficult rescue situations ever, where over 50-hybrid wolf-dogs are left to fend for themselves on a Texas property. Tania and Mariah work with an adopter to find a new dog after he lost his long-time four-legged best friend, Ben, to cancer. Additionally, audiences will witness a fairy-tale ending where Huey, a Villalobos senior canine veteran, finally finds the forever home he deserves.

In addition to watching the show on Animal Planet, viewers can keep up with the latest news on social media by using the hashtag #PitBullsandParolees and follow Animal Planet on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PIT BULLS & PAROLEES is produced for Animal Planet by 44 Blue Productions, a Red Arrow Studios company, and Rive Gauche Television. Rasha Drachkovitch, Billy Cooper, and Jen Bies Duffy are the executive producers for 44 Blue Productions. For Animal Planet, Lisa Lucas is executive producer.