Fences for Fido Helps Homeless Women
Last Saturday KING 5 reported that Portland-based Fences for Fido built a dog park for dogs of homeless women. The dog park is located at Kirkland’s Lake Washington United Methodist Church in Kirkland.
KING 5 said Fences for Fido built the dog park in conjunction with the church’s Safe Parking Program, which allows “40-50 women and families stay in cars in the parking lot.”
Fences for Fido Built a Dog Park for Pets of Homeless Women Living in Their Cars. Photo from Lake Washington United Methodist Church.
Women in abusive relationships often don’t leave their abuser because they can’t take their pets with them.
“It’s a major problem,” Nathaniel Fields, president and CEO of URIPALS, told Project Earth. “As many as 48% of domestic violence victims stay in abusive relationships for fear of what would happen if they left their pets behind. Pets are members of the family and no one, especially victims of domestic violence, should have to make the impossible decision to leave their pets behind during times of crisis.”
Government officials and nonprofits have begun to understand this critical relationship between the homeless (especially homeless women) and their pets. That’s why more homeless shelters in the Seattle area accept pets.
Lake Washington United Methodist Church’s Safe Parking Program expanded on this concept. Teaming with Fences for Fido allows homeless women to stay with their dogs. It also gives them a space to exercise and play with them.
“The fact that the church has stepped up and is utilizing their facilities to help these women makes it even more important that we step up and help them keep their pets,” Michele Coppola of Fences for Fido told KING 5.
this is a very wonderful thing that there pets can stay with them. I would never leave my furr babies. I will make and donate some dog coats to the little dogs that need them just contact me
Thank you!
Love they got a play area! Running Seattle Dogs homeless program there is a need for places people can be with their pets. And a place where dogs can run, play, walk without being leashed up.
Saying this I am worried as many dog’s don’t have shots and aren’t fixed which could lead to illness, fights and pregnancy. Hopefully a plan is or can be put into place to help those staying there obtain this.
I also encourage locations where dv victims not be disclosed to the public. Those fleeing DV are often sought by their abusers. Knowing this 1st hand I have known the lengths and in my case the heights that abusers go to find people.
All this said I know the people running this wonderful lot are kind, loyal to the process of looking out for one another and are dedicated to helping those living in homelessness. Thank you for your unwavering commitment
Great points, thank you.
What a wonderful thing to do! Our dogs are our family. I love that these women get to keep their babies with them.