Earl Moffett 2023

What happened to Marcel on Pit Bulls & Parolees?

In the history of animal-focused reality television, one show seems to stand out above all others: Pit Bulls and Parolees.

The show put the Villalobos Rescue Center (VRC) firmly in the spotlight for dog lovers around the world.

The Animal Planet sensation launched its 19th season in 2022, and still follows many of the same heroic characters that were there in the very beginning.

There’s Tia Maria Torres, the show’s human star.

Earl Moffett 2023

A force of nature, Tia Torres—with her bold red hair and even bolder personality—is the founder of the Villalobos rescue center that rescues, houses, and rehomes thousands of dogs.

At Tia’s side since way back in 2009 are some of the show’s most beloved cast, including Tia’s daughters Mariah and Tania, sons Keli’l (also known to fans and viewers as Moe) and Kanani, and Keli’l’s wife, Lizzy.

Earl Moffett 2023

Even Tia’s grandson Nakoa makes an appearance on the show from time to time.

Sadly, some fan favorites have gone missing from the show—and avid Pitbull and Parolees viewers still miss them.

With Animal Planet’s October 2022 announcement that season 19 would be the last season of Pit Bulls and Parolees, we thought it was time to shine a spotlight on some of those previous cast members.

If you’ve ever found yourself asking what happened to Marcel on Pit Bulls and Parolees, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll also show you what Jake and Earl have been up to since their departure from the Animal Planet network.

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What happened to Marcel on Pit Bulls and Parolees?

Marcel joined the Pit Bulls and Parolees cast in 2016, and quickly won fans—and hearts—everywhere.

But the heart he truly won over was that of Tia Torres’ daughter, Mariah.

Mariah was working closely with the new VRC volunteer when the pair began dating.

Things moved fast for the loved-up couple, and by the end of 2016 the pair had hit up Las Vegas for a quickie wedding.

Mariah would later explain that the relationship started to show cracks just months after they tied the knot.

By the time Tia’s youngest daughter filed for divorce from Marcel in 2018, the pair had not lived together in over a year.

When pressed by fans on social media about what happened, she explained that they “wanted different things” in life.

Marcel’s departure from his marriage also meant a departure from the show that made him famous—but not necessarily from the hard work he did at the center.

Mariah was open about the fact that Marcel continued to work at Villalobos following the pair’s split, and that they “talk occasionally.”

Marcel was known on the show for his kind heart and risky antics—like that time he entered the crawl space under a building and braved fire ants to rescue some puppies.

Since he left Pit Bulls and Parolees, Marcel has worked at other no-kill shelters in Texas and Arizona.

He also stays firmly under the social media radar since his time in the Animal Planet spotlight.

What happened to Jake on Pit Bulls and Parolees?

Jake Gardner starred on Pit Bulls and Parolees from the very first episode—and he’s always been a hit.

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Over the next four years and 42 episodes, he demonstrated empathy, compassion, and dedication as he worked tirelessly alongside Tia and the crew to save dogs across California and the US.

He last appeared on the show in 2013, but he had a lot going on behind the scenes in 2012.

Jake founded The Fort Fortitudine Vincimus Rescue Center in North Carolina that year.

The Fort is a no-kill, no-discrimination shelter that works to serve dogs across the state.

With more than 30,000 dogs entering shelters in NC each year, Jake and his dedicated crew have their work cut out for them—but they won’t give up.

With a strategy that involves rescuing, rehoming, spay / neutering, and education, Jake’s vision is to give every animal the best life possible.

When you’re that invested—physically and emotionally—in your day-to-day work, what’s the best way to wind down? For Gardner, who married his wife Karin in 2015, it’s cooking.

Jake launched Ishitzunotsauces.com and regularly posts about his foodie journey on Instagram.

What happened to Earl on Pit Bulls and Parolees?

Earl Moffett has never officially left Villalobos, despite some lengthy absences from the show it inspired.

He is a favorite with viewers everywhere—and especially with Tia Torres and her family.

Loved for his honesty and integrity, Earl has come a long way from serving 11 years of a 22 year sentence for aggravated robbery.

Working with dogs as part of a rehabilitation program while in prison, Earl found a new path.

That path led him to Villalobos Rescue Center, and onto screens worldwide.

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During his time on the show, Earl underwent surgery for a spinal injury he sustained in prison.

Post-surgery, he became addicted to medications, and entered a rehab program in mid-2016.

After setting himself back on the straight and narrow once again, Moffett testified in defense of rescue dogs and canine programs for prison inmates in 2019.

Earl’s path continued to have its ups and downs—he was pulled over for speeding in August 2020.

Regardless of what happens in his personal life, he remains a true friend of the Villalobos Rescue Center family.

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