Fences For Fido Continues Work Through Covid-19 Pandemic

Portland, OR. As Covid-19 guidelines are updated, Fences for Fido continues to build fences for dogs while following recommended protocols. The nonprofit improves the quality of life for dogs living outdoor by building fences free of charge for families who keep their dogs on chains, tethers, and in small enclosures. In addition to the fence, Fences for Fido also provide an insulated doghouse for each dog as well as spay/neuter services and emergency veterinary care when needed.

The nonprofit uses volunteer labor. Here are some of the Covid-safe modifications volunteers are undertaking:

On-Site Safety Guidelines

• Face coverings or masks, along with six feet of physical distancing, significantly slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, it is our policy that all volunteers must wear face coverings and practice physical distancing at all of our fence builds.

Prior to Arrival volunteers are asked the following:

• If you have been in contact with any known COVID-19 patients, we ask that you complete the 14-day quarantine before joining a build.
• If you feel sick or have any symptoms of the virus, we ask that you not attend a build. Please take your temperature before coming to a build to check for fever.
• If you have an elevated temperature, please stay home.

Here’s a video about the work of the organization. Dog house coordinator, Jennifer Adams, tells the story of Tiny Guy, a Warm Springs, Oregon dog living outside in sub-freezing temperatures:

From Fences for Fido:

We’re protecting OUR VOLUNTEERS: the most valuable part of this amazing, life-saving, kindness-spreading, hard-working machine we’ve created together.

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 being to connect with their pets in a more meaningful way.

This single moment represents the beginning of an even deeper bond between a dog and his or her family. Since we built our first Fences in 2009, we’ve witnessed more than 2,200 “zoomies!” We’ve expanded to cover Southwest Washington and most areas throughout Oregon, answering the call and building an average of 13 fences per month in every kind of weather.

Additionally, we’ve inspired change on a larger scale: In 2014, Fences For Fido was instrumental in the historic passage of Oregon’s first anti-tethering law, which restricts the amount of time a dog can be chained.

To accelerate the unchaining movement, we actively support and mentor new unchaining groups all over the country. We’re fully committed to this next step in our mission, and have created the Unchained Planet initiative to further this cause.

Thank you for being a part of our effort to change lives… one fence, one family, one dog at a time.