Some save dogs for a living. They offer them medical care, restore them to health and teach them new tricks. National Geographic’s “DogTown” show returns with all these and much more tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

The two-hour season premiere of the popular series is titled “Saving the Michael Vick Dogs,” as it takes a look at the extraordinary techniques employed by the Best Friends Animal Society in Utah to save the pit bulls from the NFL superstar’s Virginia property.

“Despite the horrors they’ve experienced, these dogs have made astounding progress, proof that every dog deserves a second chance,” says “DogTown” producer Darcy Dennett. “Best Friends has rehabilitated thousands of animals, but even they’re surprised by their success with the Vick dogs.”

In April 2007, police raided Michael Vick’s property in Smithfield, Virginia, and found 47 severely abused and traumatized dogs. In addition to this, officials discovered buried dog corpses, which had been shot, drowned, hanged or electrocuted.

Last December, the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback was sentenced to 23 months of imprisonment for operating an illegal dog-fighting venture.

In spite of the fact that PETA and Humane Society suggested the dogs be euthanized, the court sent them to rescue shelters. Best Friends took the 22 most difficult cases, four out of which represent the focal points of the “DogTown” season premiere.

Denzel, a black and white male who faced death because of a tick-borne parasite, which usually affects fighting dogs, was completely cured and is ready for adoption.

Cherry, a black male, who was probably used as a bait for other dogs, “was so terrified he’d collapse into a heap and we had to carry him everywhere,” said his trainer, Michelle Besmehn. Now Cherry is hale and hearty and enjoys playing with both dogs and humans.

Meryl, a brown and white female, was so violent that the court prohibited for her to be put up for adoption. However, she has become a normal dog now and “she will always have a soft, warm bed with us,” Besmehn says.

Georgia, a brown and white female is, on the one hand, the show’s most heartbreaking case and, on the other hand, the most successful one, as she was one of Vick’s best fighters and was relentlessly forced to mate. When she was found, she had a damaged jaw, a broken tail and puncture injuries. “All of Georgia’s teeth were surgically removed to keep her from fighting back as she was repeatedly raped,” says the lead trainer of this particular case, John Garcia. “The cruelty was unspeakable, but time, patience and a lot of love have turned Georgia into a big, sweet, slobbery cupcake.”