Guilford County Non-Profit Helps Families Find Fences for Dogs

Visit the Unchain Guilford website

Unchain Guilford formed after county commissioners passed an ordinance last year banning unattended backyard dog tethering.

Sunday, about a dozen volunteers with the organization built a fence for Vanessa Ratlife's dog, Patches.

"I love that he's going to be free, and he can run and he can be happy, Ratlife said. He won't have to be chained up anymore and have other dogs fight with him."

This is the third fence Unchain Guilford has built, and its goal is to build two per month. Its helping families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it.

"We used a welded wire fence, said Ellen Metzger with Unchain Guilford. It comes in big rolls at the home improvement store. It's very cost effective. We don't use chain link because it's more expensive. We use 2'x4's and it's really a quick and affordable way to get a fence up. It's also very secure, and dogs can't dig or jump over it."

Volunteers say one thing they've learned along the way through this process is that everything doesn't have to be exactly right.

Its giving dogs the happier lives their families want for them.

It's so wonderful because I know I wouldn't have been able to pay for a fence. It's not on my income, Ratliffe said. When they told me they could do it, I thought I was going to sing! It was just a wonderful feeling."

For the organization to build the fence, a family must meet certain financial qualifications and have the dog spayed or neutered, along with a rabies shot.

Originally posted here:
Guilford County Non-Profit Helps Families Find Fences for Dogs