Portland, OR. Despite the challenging impact of COVID-19 the nonprofit, Fences For Fido, is still going strong. Volunteers (like the one pictured above) helped build 17 fences and shade structures as well as 30 dog houses on the Warm Springs Reservation. They also provided critical veterinary care for 40 dogs. Fences For Fido works to improves the quality of life for dogs living outdoors by building fences free of charge for families who otherwise keep their dogs on chains, tethers, and in small enclosures.
Kelly Peterson, co-founder and emeritus board member, explains why the project was a priority. “As a result of COVID-19, Indian Reservations across the country have been disproportionately impacted, both financially and physically. That’s why Fences For Fido has committed to supporting the Warm Springs Reservations, one of the hardest-hit communities within Oregon.”
Fences For Fido team working on the Warm Springs Reservation build
On October 3rd this dog got a fenced space to roam from the Fences For Fido team.
For the first two months of the pandemic, the nonprofit focused on keeping past and present families together by delivering dog and cat food. Now the organization is getting back in gear. Fences For Fido has new protocols in place for volunteers and families, such as wearing gloves, masks, and following social distancing guidelines, allowing fence builders to safely help families again.
In addition to free fence building, they also provide shade structures (in Central Oregon), warm dog houses, dog food, and critical vet care, as well as spay/neuter services. “We all might be in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat,” said Peterson.
Fence builders are out in the field every weekend; their services can be found throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington in places like Olympia, Hood River, Prineville, Albany, and Newport. Residents of Oregon and Southwest Washington are welcome to apply online for services at no charge. Click here to access their application web page.
Fences For Fido volunteer helps groom a dog while their new enclosure is constructed.
In addition to delivering dog and cat food to families in need, Fences For Fido assisted in the collection of three full trucks of donated pet food and supplies to communities in need during the recent Oregon wildfires.
“Fences For Fido have been helping families and dogs in need for over a decade. We believe wholeheartedly that helping people is helping pets which is why we are so grateful to our families for the trust they place in us, to honor the love they have with their four-legged family members,” said Peterson.
Fences For Fido has been improving the quality of life for over 2,200 dogs since 2009. They average about 13 fences a month and are prepared for any kind of weather. The nonprofit also was a part of passing legislation in 2014, that limits tethering in the states of Oregon and Washington.
According to Peterson, “Through laws and leading by example, Fences For Fido will continue extending compassion to both people and their pets.”
Over the past several months, Fences For Fido has helped remove barriers for families who don’t have access to humane pet care by building a total of 27 free fences, 50 dog houses, shade structures, and provided vet care for more than 60 dogs.
From Fences For Fido website: Fences For Fido improves the quality of life for dogs living outdoors by building fences free of charge for families who keep their dogs on chains, tethers, and in small enclosures. In addition to the fence, we also provide an insulated doghouse for each dog as well as spay/neuter services and emergency veterinary care when needed.
When a dog is unchained, a transformation begins. It starts with what we call “zoomies:” The running, jumping, exuberant joy our Fidos display once unchained – many for the first time in years. That visible happiness puts smiles on the faces of our volunteers and most importantly, on the faces of our client families who through this process begin to connect with their pets in a more meaningful way.
Portland, OR. Fences For Fido, a nonprofit based in Portland, is the recipient of a grant from the Dr. Jane Foundation. The $1,125 grant announced on July 26th, will support the nonprofit’s work of offering spay/neuter services while building free fenced yards for dogs who previously were confined to tethers or small enclosures. A Fences For Fido volunteer and a dog smile for the camera during a fence build.
A dog named Cole smiles with a Fences For Fido volunteer after receiving his new fence.
Volunteers pose with Kota in SW Washington after building a new fenced yard. Kota previously spent his days on a chain.
From Fences For Fido:
Fences For Fido volunteers built their first fence in Portland in May 2009. This summer, the organization is marking its 10th anniversary and celebrating 2,200 dogs unchained in Oregon and SW Washington. The all-volunteer organization works directly with families who previously confined their dogs to chains or small kennels. With volunteer labor and donor funding, the organization build free fenced yards and provides spay/neuter surgeries, insulated dog houses, and urgent veterinary care as needed.
The Dr. Jane Foundation is the charitable arm of Florida-based Life’s Abundance, Inc. The foundation issues quarterly competitive grants to charitable organizations that contribute to the health and well-being of pets in their communities.
Portland, OR. Fences For Fido sent a volunteer force of 10 people to Oroville, CA to build temporary shelter for dogs and other small animals displaced and rescued from the Camp Fire area. Volunteers shared their firsthand experiences: “Apocalypse is the only word that describes what we observed. There was evidence of immediate evacuation. The stories of water left running and clothes left in foyers because people couldn’t get out fast enough. Whole neighborhoods wiped out where neighbors and friends once shared life and children played.”
Working with North Valley Animal Disaster Group, volunteers left Portland November 19th. Fences For Fido constructed outdoor enclosures and exercise pens to safely confine dogs and other small animals until they are reunited with their families or moved to local area shelters. (In the past nine years, Fences For Fido has unchained over 1600 dogs in NW Oregon, central Oregon and SW Washington.)
“Our hearts are with the people and animals affected by the fires in California. We know first-hand that helping pets is helping people. When people have lost everything in life, their pets offer that sense of hope and comfort. Pets are a part of our family unit, and we are hopeful that our volunteer crew of experienced fence builders will help bring some relief to the immense suffering caused by the fire,” said Kelly Peterson, co-founder of Fences For Fido and board member emeritus.
Fences For Fido also delivered food and feeding supplies for pigs, chickens, and rabbits also displaced or injured from the fires.
About Fences For Fido:
Founded in 2009, Fences For Fido a 501c3 non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for chained dogs living outside in the elements day and night. We attend to all needs by building a fence, removing the chain, supplying a warm doghouse, providing critical vet care and spay/neuter services. In nine years, the organization has unchained nearly 2000 dogs in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland, October 20th, 2013. The “Fences For Fido” HOWL-o-ween BINGO drew a cheerful crowd and raised $660. The amount will fully fund a fence—a space of freedom—for one of the group’s waiting, chained Fidos named Boomer. The event was at Joe’s Restaurant on the Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. Board Member Patti Loverink and a member of the nonprofit’s foster committee celebrated with the coordinator of their annual rummage sale, Sue Schroeder.
Here are some fun photos from benefit:
Kyle is quite remarkable in that he saves his allowance and collects donations to help dogs.
Amanda, a long-time Fences For Fido volunteer, loving on tri-pod Tryke, a formerly chained dog who was surrendered to Fences For Fido many months ago.
Hammy is special dgo, also a tri-pod, who is part of their dog-loving community.
Costume contest winners!
The smiles on the faces of these two new Fences For Fido volunteers show that they’re clearly in their element, among dogs!
A full fence sponsorship is just $600, which provides an insulated dog house, dog bed, freedom fence and spay/neuter for a dog living outside, just like Boomer here. To sponsor freedom for one of the 45+ dogs on our waiting list, please visit www.FencesForFido.org/donate.
A full fence sponsorship is just $600, which provides an insulated dog house, dog bed, freedom fence and spay/neuter for a dog living outside, just like Boomer here. To sponsor freedom for one of the 45+ dogs on our waiting list, please visit www.FencesForFido.org/donate.
Portland, April 6th, 2013. 250 supporters (and a few furry friends) joined in a celebration at Castaway, including “Witts” the dog who is enjoying a new fence thanks to the nonprofit. Fences For Fido leaders announced that their charity had unchained a total of 600 dogs since its launch in 2009. The gala raised enough to unchain 20 more.
Organizers say, “Fences For Fido, an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit, improves the quality of life for chained dogs living outside in the elements day and night. We attend to all needs by building a fence, removing the chain, supplying a warm dog house, providing critical vet care and spay/neuter, and returning yearly to ensure the dog lives a safe, un-chained life.”
Even Chopper, our first Fido EVER, joined us for our 4-year celebration.
Reminders of dogs were everywhere, even on our all-vegan buffet!
All the bar wine was donated, relabeled and all bar proceeds benefit Savannah’s Fund for rescued Fidos.
Savannahs Fund featured super-star bar coordinator Kimberly.
Last summer, Fences For Fido won a Toyota Tundra pickup through the Toyota 100 Cars for Good campaign, and Tommy’s Window Tinting donated a full truck wrap, which was debuted at the gala.
Zena was starving at the end of a chain before being rescued last year. She’s enjoying a new, chain-free, indoor life with a Fido friend.
The goal for the evening was to receive sponsorships for 20 Fidos, and the nonprofit accomplished that goal thanks to supporters.
Fences For Fido Board Members Patti Loverink, Ken Alwine and Jennifer Adams.
Fences For Fido President Kelly Peterson welcomed our guests and also discussed the limited tethering legislation.
About Fences for Fido:
On May 23 2009, a small group arrived at the NE Portland home of Chopper, a big hunk of a dog who spent day after day, year after year, isolated from his family, chained to a tree. Chopper spent so many years tied to that one section of yard that he wore down the confines of his small world to bare ground.
Fortunately, within just a few hours on that sunny, May day, Chopper experienced freedom for the first time in six years. Once a sad, sullen dog, Chopper bounded around his new yard, smiling and wagging his tail…truly joyful. Following the build, his person Keith wrote to Fences For Fido saying, “I realize now he is so much happier being off the chain. Never again on a chain!” The fence encouraged Keith to spend more time with Chopper, changing their relationship forever. (Watch Chopper’s Video)
The work of Fences For Fido is deeply rooted in making that kind of change between a dog and his family, but our work does not end there. We create safer and improved conditions for chained dogs by providing shelter, veterinary care, and spay and neutering services when necessary. We work to educate families on how to best care for their four-legged family members during the heat of the summer and the cold, wet winter months. Twice a year our team of tireless volunteers visits all of the dogs in the FFF family to make sure they remain unchained, safe and healthy.
With more than 235 dogs already unchained since May 2009, the mission of Fences For Fido continues. With generous help from our volunteers and donors, FFF hopes to share many more success stories.
FIDOS! Everywhere we turned, dog figurines, statues and actual Fidos of Honor, Chopper (our first FIdo), Witt and Zena Love were a constant reminder of why we were all there together.
FOXY TRUCK! Our Toyota Trunk was there, sparkling in a corner with its new truck wrap loaded with tools given to us by our Amazon Angels from our Amazon Wish List.
FRIENDS! Honored guest Oregon State Representative Brad Witt was in attendance. Representative Witt is improving the lives of Oregon dogs through House Bill 2783, which would restrict the amount of time a dog can be tethered.
Celebrating Recent Un-Chainings!
Check out the stories and links below to see the Fidos who were freed in the last several weeks because of all of your love and support! “RANK ROOOO!” from all of them!
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