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OPRAH Online
"The Wonderful Gift This Group Gives Dogs " 

SPOT Magazine
"Mission to Unchain Dogs Rises to New Levels" 

The Daily News
"Busy Fences for Fido group looking to add local volunteers" 

The Daily Astorian
"Lives without chains: Volunteers give dogs a taste of freedom" 

The Bend Source
"Fences For Fido Collaborates with Shepherd's House Women & Children's Shelter" 

Oregon Live
"Fences for Fido honored by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association" 

The Reflector
"Fences for Fido improves Ridgefield dog’s life" 

CARE2
"How to Help Chained Dogs in Your Community" 

KGW Channel 8 - December 18, 2012
"Making a Difference - Fences For Fido Making Happier Pups" (video)

Oregon Live - November 24, 2012
"Pet Talk:  Fences For Fido Provides Early Holiday Gifts for Unchained Dogs"

MetroEast Community Hotline - November 14, 2012
" Fences For Fido - Nadya Vera Interview" (video)

KATU Cahnnel 2 - October 15, 2012
"Toyota Donates New Truck to Help Fences For Fido" (video)

Oregon Live - October 12, 2012
"Fences for Fido One of 100 Organizations Nationwide to Win a Toyota"

Univision Portland – July 17, 2012
"Fences For Fido" (video)

KATU Channel 2 – July 6, 2012
"Everyday Heroes" (video)

KGW Channel 8 – June 8, 2012
"Tracy Barry Honored for Fences For Fido Work" (video)

Statesman Journal – May 27, 2012
"Michelle Blake Receives Humaneitarian Award"

News Channel 8 KGW – May 24, 2012
"Fences For Fido's Three Year Anniversary" (video)

OregonLive – May 5, 2012
"Care Team Brings Dog Back to Health" (Sunday's Story)

Seattle DogSpot – March 13, 2012
"Fences for Fido Committed to Unchaining Dogs in OR and WA"

News Channel 8 KGW – February 1, 2012
"Portland Volunteers Build Fences for Fido" (video)

The Daily News Online – January 31, 2012
"Fences for Fido Projects Dedicated to Deceased Longview Dog"

The Statesman Journal – December 31, 2011
"Year In Review: Group Helps Dogs To Live Chain-Free"

 Lake Oswego Review – November 17, 2011
"Fido Finds Friends In Touchstone School Students"

 Spot Magazine – November 1, 2011
"Fences For Fido Chalks Up Two Great Years And A Bright Future"

The Oregonian – October 20, 2011
"Fences For Fido Launches Educational Pilot Program"

Statesman Journal – August 13, 2011
"Fences For Fido Plans Projects In Silverton, Turner"

The Oregonian – July 29, 2011
"Fences For Fido Seeks Volunteers For Fence Build Tomorrow"

Heart of the Matter – July 26, 2011
"Fences For Fido" (video)

 Molalla Pioneer – April 19, 2011
"Unchaining Dogs, One Fence at a Time"

Animal Talk – March 2011
"Canine Corner – Fences For Fido (page 3)"

Valley Bugler, Animal Tracks – February 1, 2011
"Fences For Fido – Unchaining Local Dogs For A Better Life"

KATU – September 11, 2010
"Fences for Fido helps to build stronger communities" (video)

The Oregonian – September 7, 2010
"Pet Talk: Fences for Fido unites volunteers in building fences so dogs don't have to be tied up"

The Statesman Journal – September 3, 2010
"Fences for Fido celebrates 100-dog milestone"

TDN.com – August 29, 2010
"Volunteers build fences to free dogs of their chains"

Koin 6 Studios – August 17, 2010
"Fences for Fido" (video)

Key Bank & Rose Festival Award – May 13, 2010
"Pledge to Be Positive"

Lebanon Express – April 14, 2010
"Fence Me In"

Democrat Herald – January 29, 2010
"Fences For Fido seeks volunteers for Lebanon job"

The Oregonian, Margie Boule – January 7, 2010
"Fences For Fido Could Use Your Help"

Albany Democrat Herals – December 11, 2009
"Home for the holidays"

The Humane Society of the United States – December 4, 2009
"Volunteers build free fences to get dogs off chains"

The Portland Upside – December 4, 2009
"Freedom for Dogs, One Fence at a Time"

The Gresham Outlook – November 24, 2009
"Fences for Fido gives tethered dogs a better place to play and roam"

Albany Democrat Herald – November 22, 2009
"Albany dog has his day"

Statesman Journal – November 15th, 2009
"Fences For Fido frees dogs from chains"

Albany Democrat Herald – November 7th, 2009
"Former mid-valley resident helping to unchain dogs"

Statesman Journal – November 7, 2009
"Fences for Fido group frees dogs from chains"

KATU Channel 2 Portland – November 6th, 2009
"Everyday Heroes" (video)

Oregonian, Margie Boule – September 22, 2009
"Fences For Fido helps break the dog chains"

KATU Channel 2 Portland – September 5, 2009
"Fences For Fido Brings Room to Run"

Spot Magazine – September 2009
"Unchained, One Dog at a Time"

Willamette Week, Best Of Portland – July 22, 2009
"Best People – Best Canine Containment"

Tracy Barry, KGW “Giving Back” – July 9, 2009
"Volunteers Build Fences For Fido" (Video)

OregonLive.com Wednesday – June 3, 2009
"Worthy new Portland group builds fences for dogs"

OregonLive.com Monday – May 25, 2009
"New non-profit helps chained dogs"

Dear Media Friends:

The story of our work and the deserving, endearing Fidos we free makes GREAT news. It’s positive, it’s visual, it’s community-oriented, and the change is so tangible you can see it with your eyes and feel it in your heart.

Fences For Fido has grown at a phenomenal pace, due in large part to the media coverage we’ve received. We gratefully welcome stories about our mission, our tireless and compassionate volunteers, our impact on communities, and our work to open hearts, change minds, and strengthen laws to improve the lives of our furry canine companions.

To make your important job just a tiny bit easier, we’ve compiled this brief fact sheet with our media policies, our contact list, and our pertinent data.

Media Policy:

1. Please do not reveal the actual physical address of our clients who receive fences. Our clients are taking a hugely positive step to improve their dogs’ lives, but the issue of chaining can evoke powerful public reaction. We want to shield them and our Fidos from any unwelcome interference. We also ask for your discretion so wide shots of the property don’t reveal the street name and house number.
2. Please seek client permission to use their names or images. We love it when our clients want to talk to the media about their reason for getting a fence and the positive changes they’ve seen in their newly-unchained dog. Many clients are happy to share, but we must respect those who want more privacy. We are guests on their property, and often we have gotten there through a lengthy process of trust-building.
3. Please seek out our appointed spokespeople. We have the best volunteers in the world, and we hope you’ll talk to them about why they volunteer and how it changes their lives. For any information about our organization, its data, budget, policies, history, etc., please talk to our spokespeople listed on this fact sheet.
4. And, of course, be safe. A build is essentially a construction site with chained dogs. We have appointed lead volunteers at every build who can guide you about a given dog’s approachability and any potential hazards.

Contacts:

For more information, please contact our media relations coordinator:

• Kelly Peterson, Co-Founder, Board Chair, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 503-869-9422

Fact Sheet:

Mission Statement: Fences For Fido has a mission to improve the quality of life for dogs who spend most or all hours confined to a chain. We provide a fenced yard, insulated dog houses, spay/neuter, and critical veterinary care.

Date Founded: May 2009, when 10 friends built our first fence for a Portland dog named Chopper.

Nonprofit Status: We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Management and Governance: We operate with volunteer fence builders. The organization is overseen by a volunteer board of directors. We are a stand-alone organization not affiliated with or under the umbrella of any other organization.

Funding Sources: 100% donations. We hold one or two major fundraising events each year. We partner with great local businesses and organizations for events that raise funds and awareness. We also seek grants from private and corporate foundations.

Our geographic reach: Oregon and SW Washington. We have volunteer crews located in Oregon and southwest Washington.

What’s wrong with tethering: Long-term chaining presents numerous risks to dogs, their families, and their neighbors. Dogs are social animals. Their wild ancestors live in packs, and when dogs live with humans, we are their pack. A dog on a chain is separated from his pack and forced to live a solitary life, which can cause emotional and behavioral anxiety and fear-based aggression. Chained dogs are vulnerable to attacks by other dogs and wild animals, and are exposed to physical dangers from entangled chains that can cause strangulation or prevent the dog from reaching food, water, and shelter. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association warn that chained dogs are as much as 8 times more likely to bite.

Who qualifies for a fence: There are no financial qualifiers. While most of the families we serve are low-income, we do not ask for financial information. We build the fence based on the dog’s need.

What does a fence cost? It’s free to the families we serve. We never charge our clients for our work. It is our gift to them as they embark on a new way of living with their furry friends. With donated labor and bulk discounts on materials, FFF’s hard cost is $600-$1000 per fence.

How we hear about Fidos in need: On our website, there’s a request form where families can apply for their own fence or anyone who observes a chained dog can give the us the address and other information we need to initiate contact with the family. We also hear about dogs through local law enforcement, shelters, service agencies, and animal control agencies.

What happens after the fence is built: We have a saying: “Once a Fido, always a Fido.” And we mean it. Our clients sign an agreement to keep their dogs off chains for the rest of their lives and to call us if their wily Fido has learned to open the gate or climb over. We have ways of fixing that.

About spay/neuter: We offer a free spay/neuter to every dog that receives a fence.

HB 2783: Fences For Fido was instrumental in getting this bill through the Oregon legislature and was present when Governor Kitzhaber signed it into law. The new law became effective January 1, 2014. It limits the time a dog can spend on a tether and clarifies requirements for shelter and humane care.

In our clients’ own words …

"Fences For Fido changed my dog's life and my life. I never knew how unhappy he was on a chain. Chopper is the most happiest dog in the world! And you have a major hand in that! I love my backyard even more now and chopper and fat cat loves it too!
We spend lots more time together now! Never again a chain!"
--Keith, Chopper's Family, Portland

"I wanted to thank you all, again, so very much for the gift of the fence. It has made a tremendous difference. Kia and Kya are running and playing together again. It's been a LONG time since they've had that opportunity. Kya has become much less aggressive with Kia, not trying to dominate anymore, and Kia has become braver around people!! What a surprise blessing that is!"
--Linda, Kia and Kya's Family, Vancouver

"Thank you for helping us take better care of Maya. She is so happy in her new yard.
We love her and are grateful for your help."
--Michelle, Maya's Family, Beaverton

“I am thrilled with the work they [Fences for Fido] did as are our dogs!!! Thank you
so much!!! I can’t praise your organization enough for what they do.”
--Rose, Star, Cassie, and Rex’s Family, Molalla

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful … We’ve been wanting to do this but couldn’t pull it
off financially. It pulled at our heartstrings this past year, having him like this.
We actually thought about giving him up to a better home.”
--Angela, Noah’s Family, Milwaukie

“We are so grateful for all you've done for our dogs! Thank you so much!”
--Darlene, Rocky and Skylar’s Family, Newberg

“I’d recommend it for anybody. It’s wonderful. I can see how much happier they are…
They were confined. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it a bit.”
--Lonnie, Sable & Bear’s Family, Portland

“I e-mailed them [Fences for Fido], and within five minutes, they called….Within a few days, Fences for Fido had met with us and installed fence posts in the backyard…Yayo is pretty fortunate.”
--John, Yayo’s Family, Albany

“When we saw the news coverage of Fences For Fido, we prayed for our own fence. So we couldn’t have been more grateful when a FFF volunteer knocked on our door the very next day.”
--Phyllis, Babe’s Family, Aumsville

“I am stiff and sore all over but with a smile on my face when I see Durango and Mikey romping in their newly fenced-in back yard. I had so much fun yesterday with the wonderful crew who I worked with for about 6 hours. My husband and I were so impressed by their dedication and organization. Not a minute was wasted. Don West is, also, very humbled and grateful.”
--Geri, Family Friends of Mikey & Durango

“Saturday the crew came out and installed the fence for Jackson. I just wanted to tell you what a great job they did…Two hours and they were on their way. What a great group of people you have there…Please let the team know that they made Jackson a very happy camper.”
--Gary, Jackson’s Family, Amity

“I just wanted to thank your organization again for all the work and effort that was put into building a fence for Gunnar last weekend. I couldn't believe it when I looked in my backyard and saw about 20 people, in the rain, ready to work! Not only all of that, but the kindness and understanding about the challenges a pit bull can sometimes present was also just awesome. Suffice it to say, Gunnar LOVES his new yard, is off the chain, and doing great!”
--Laurie, Gunnar’s Family, Amity

“Thanks a lot for the fenced area for Storm. We had to keep her on a chain because she kept running away. Now no chain and she can move about free. She is also able to come in now and get out of the weather. Thanks again”
--Lorraine, Storm’s Family, Longview

“…Thank you so much. Isabelle has been enjoying it so much, she doesn’t bark hardly at all, and it is so nice to have her by the house. She likes to sleep right under Hannah’s window!”
--Vonny, Isabelle’s Family, Corbett

“Huge “thank you’s” to all of the FFF team that were involved in the build for Franz in Onalaska, Washington…Blessings to all of you! Franz is really enjoying his freedom! We find he is much easier to handle and work with since being “unchained”. He loves his house both inside at night and “on top” during the day. Thank you—each one for this wonderful gift.”
--Andi, Franz’s Family, Onalaska

“Wow!! Great Job!! Gypsy is loving it!! Thanks to all who helped out. We are used to being the helpers not on the receiving end.
We look forward to volunteering /Pay It Forward.
Thanks again from Gypsy too.”
--Shawn, Gypsy’s Family, Portland

“I hated having her tied up all the time …. Storm dug holes everywhere and pulled the fence to pieces and would just lay there in the sun bored out of her mind. Now she runs and our yard isn’t torn up she quit digging, she doesn’t tip her water over….But most of all she quit howling! We no longer have a muzzle on her and she enjoys the trees and exploring, she’s very quiet and actually tires herself out, and that’s hard to do to a Husky…Thank you guys a lot.”
--Stephanie, Storm’s Family, Scappoose

"Shirley, Thank you for the care and a fence for Grace. We are quite appreciative. You're an angel, from our family to you."
--Shannon, Grace's Family, Cathlamet

"Just a quick thank you to all the volunteers that came out and made a wonderful area for our family to enjoy spending time with Cash. Cash is very happy with his new area. I don't think he has quit panting or wagging his tail since he has been freed, he is a very tired boy by the end of the day. Thank you so much for all the work and I
hope other families are lucky enough to find Fences For Fido."
--Charlie, Cash's Family, La Center

"I want to thank you and all the people who put in their time and effort to build the fence for our dogs and to the ones who came out and moved Bandits house!l He is now using it. I know it makes it so much easier to play with all of them with them able to be free off chains to run get the toys we throw fir them, I know they are SO much happier being free of the chains! So again thank you all so much and please tell everyone else we all thank them too!"
--Family of Bandit, Foxy, Badger & Erabus, Salem

“Hello and greetings to the ‘Fences For Fido’ family. My roommate Bonnie and I so gratefully want to thank you very much for the donation of your time and work in creating our beautiful fenced-in yard. In addition, we recognize this magnitude of generosity that was spent doing so on Christmas Eve. You are “ALL” very special people giving to a very special cause! All of our lives have been greatly enriched thanks to your gift, especially the dogs and my children. I will never tire of watching my dogs and children joyfully play in the great outdoors while doing so safely and freely. And I say finally to you that I learned it was possible for three dogs to show beaming, pretty smiles and be even more beautiful to our smiling touched lives. With much appreciation.”
--Nicole, Family of Chico, Cheetho and Lady, Portland

We all thank you so much for your generosity in putting so much time and caring to provide a “home” for Kyree. Please accept this donation towards the next homes you provide. We feel humbled by this experience. We will (& have) praised your program to anybody we can. Thank you for all your help, all of you have truly been a blessing, thank you.
--Family, Landlord, and Neighbors of Kyree, Aumsville