Fences For Fido

Mission

Today, Fences For Fido is doing more than ever, as a one-of-a-kind organization, celebrating 15 years of unchaining and improving the lives of more than 3,600 dogs. Fanning out from our Portland base, our volunteers serve Oregon and Southwest Washington, and in 2013, we changed Oregon law, improving humane care standards and limiting the length of time a dog can legally be tethered.

Our founding mission is building free fences so dogs kept outside on chains or in vulnerable conditions can live free from a chain and safe from the elements. When we meet families, we often find they need much more than a fence. We offer compassionate solutions so families can better meet the needs of their dogs, including:

🐾 Lifesaving dog houses

🐾 Rural spay/neuter clinics

🐾 Supplemental pet food

🐾 Fencing and other services for families living with their dogs in transitional housing or domestic violence shelters

We bridge gaps for families who are socially, financially, or geographically cut off from services like emergency veterinary care. 

As our work brings us into the lives of our most underserved neighbors and communities across Oregon and Southwest Washiungton, we learn that chaining a dog is rarely a first choice. It is a last resort. Still, no dog deserves to live outside on a chain exposed to the harsh elements.

Our service area includes seven tribal reservations. On the Warm Springs Reservation, where the tribal council authorizes us to deliver animal welfare services in the community, we provide:

🐾 Monthly pet food

🐾 High-volume spay/neuter clinics

🐾 Fences and dog houses

🐾 Vaccine and wellness clinics in collaboration with other animal-welfare organizations

On reservation lands and in Indigenous fishing villages, our mission is to increase equity and remove barriers for communities that lack access to veterinary and other critical life-sustaining services for their companion animals.

Bottom Line for Portland

Each year, 350 volunteers roll up their sleeves to build more than 100 fences that free 200-300 dogs. This labor of love frees dogs from chains, fills empty bowls, and provides veterinary care to relieve pets' suffering from conditions that their families can't afford to treat. We call this work “LOVE IN ACTION.”

Quote

“Saying 'thank you' doesn't seem to be enough. I appreciate everything you've done for me and my dog. You are heroes to me!" - A letter from a rural homeowner whose health and financial limitations forced her to chain her beloved older dog. After her caring mail carrier put her in touch with Fences For Fido, we provided a fence, insulated dog house, and veterinary care that this family couldn't access on their own.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our services to Indigenous communities are guided by insight from tribal members who serve alongside us on our board and at our clinics and fence builds. We recognize the suffering caused by systemic genocide, relocation, disenfranchisement and assimilation that impact generations of Native individuals, families, and the animals that live alongside them.

Founded by 10 women in 2009, Fences For Fido is a women-led organization committed to inclusion and positive change. In addition to building fences, we build bridges across the economic, geographic, and social barriers that cause suffering and scarcity for families and their pets. We work to form trusting, non-judgmental partnerships with all families and communities we serve.

Incentives

  🔸Give $35 or more and we'll send you some wildflower seeds to brighten your surroundings, as a way of honoring the way your support will brighten a dog's world.

 🔸Or donate $100 or more and we'll send you our signature canvas tote with a pocket and roomy interior for groceries, books, or supplies for your weekend getaway.

Partner(s)

We’re all about the love of dogs, and few people love dogs more than our friends at Meat for Cats & Dogs, who are supporting our campaign with a generous matching donation. ♥🐕