Page 11 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - July, 2018
P. 11

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        ‘One fence, one family,




        one dog at a time’                                                – FENCES FOR FIDO






        Program enhances life for pooches by creating room to roam

        By Brennan Stoelb, Animal Control
            t took a year of planning for the
            dream to become a reality.
               In late 2016, I reached out to
        IFences for Fido to discuss a way to
        collaborate. At that time, they were not
        doing much in the South Sound region.
           Fast forward to a new year when I
        talked with Becky Reavis, who was the
        coordinator for the newly formed Fences
        For Fido Southwest Regional Chapter.
        The conversation led to a dream come
        true for two lucky pets.
           Around the time I reconnected with
        Fences For Fido, I spoke with a resident
        who lives on Sickman Loop. The resident
        had also reached out to Fences For Fido
        so the timing was perfect. In April,
        organization came out to assess the
        property and set June 3 as the date of the
        build. Fences For Fido mentioned that
        two fences were just as easy as building
        one, so by the following week, two dogs
        were getting fences!
           Fences for Fido is a nonprofit
        organization that donates about 100
        feet of fencing. The fencing is intended                                                           Fences for Fido
        for dogs living on chains or in small                                                              and local volunteers
        enclosures.                                                                                        built enclosures
           Each fence and doghouse they provide                                                            for family dogs
        costs about $1,000 in materials; labor                                                             Tank (above) and
        is volunteer-based. Fences For Fido is                                                             Griffin (left).
        funded through donations and grants.
        They have specific criteria for fences that                                                            sss
        they donate. It is not for pet owners who
        simply want a fence.                                                                                 CONTACT US
           At 10 a.m. June 3, construction of
        the fence for local dog Tank began. The                                                              For more
        Fences for Fido program brought a group                                                              information
        of volunteers. Sgt. Jake Dickerson, Jackie                                                           about Fences
        Dickerson, Crime Victims Advocate Holli                                                              for Fido, go to
        Gomes and I were also ready to get our                                                               fencesforfido.
        hands dirty.                                                                                         org/about-us/
           After a busy morning, volunteers                                                                  our-mission.
        worked up an appetite and enjoyed a light
        meal to re-energize for the afternoon
        project at the next residence. The crew   at times, but lighthearted jokes and   owners who participated in the Fences
        moved to another residence on Sickman   laughter were shared while assembling   For Fido Program.
        Loop to assemble a fence for Griffin.    the fences. All of the volunteers       I am trained as the coordinator for
           After completing each structure, the   understood that their hard work was   Fences for Fido Chehalis Tribal Builds,
        dogs were introduced to their new homes.   bringing joy to the families and their   and we hope to continue to collaborate
        It was great to witness the dogs zoom   beloved pets.                          with Fences for Fido in the future. In
        everywhere as they enjoyed newfound       Congratulations to Tank and Griffin.   addition to the organization’s criteria,
        freedom.                               We know you will enjoy your new homes!   dogs are required to be up to date on
           It was a fun day! The work was tedious   Thank you to all of the volunteers and pet   vaccinations and spayed or neutered.
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