Casa del Toro (Bully Breed
Education and Rescue)&
F.I.D.O. (Friends of
Indianapolis Dogs Outside)
are teaming up to help
outside dogs stay warmer and
happier this winter.
There are many, many dogs in
Indianapolis who are kept
outside, regardless of the
weather. Unfortunately,
many of these dogs are pit
bulls. Because of their
short fur, pit bulls are
especially vulnerable to the
cold weather. Many of these
dogs are kept on the end of
a chain. FIDO and Casa del
Toro have come together to
help as many dogs as
possible stay as comfortable
as possible this winter.
The Winter Dog Outreach
Program targets the poorest
and most crime-filled
neighborhoods where most of
these dogs live and suffer.
On weekend mornings, a
dedicated group of
volunteers caravan into
these targeted neighborhoods
with trucks containing dog
supplies. The free dog
supplies include training
crates to encourage owners
to bring their dogs inside,
at least overnight, and come
into compliance with the
Indianapolis chaining
ordinance. Flea treatment
and dog shampoo also
facilitates the transition
of dogs into the house. Dog
food, both dry and canned,
is offered to help meet the
extra energy demands of the
cold temperatures. Warm dog
houses packed with straw are
given to any outside dog
with insufficient
shelter. Casa Del Toro offers
Free educational packets
chalked full of resource
information on the Pit
bull. These are some of
the ways that the Winter Dog
Outreach Program provides
immediate comfort to outside
dogs.
At the same time, the Winter
Dog Outreach Program works
to integrate in more
long-term remedies to our
city’s animal welfare
problems. Because these
targeted neighborhoods
contribute significantly to
the local pet overpopulation
crisis, the Outreach Program
offers free spay-neuter
surgeries to any animal who
is assisted, thanks to Indy
Pit Crew and the financial
backing of Spay-Neuter
Services of Indiana.
Volunteers also provide
on-site micro chipping,
because these targeted
neighborhood are the source
of a disproportionate number
of stray dogs who end up in
our city shelters.
Outreach workers also take
advantage of the good will
that is developed during
these Outreach days, to
establish future
relationships with people
and their dogs. In some
cases, volunteers have
returned later to construct
outside kennels at homes
with multiple chained dogs.
In cases where people simply
cannot or will not provide
proper care for their dogs,
volunteers have intervened
and worked to place the dogs
with a rescue group or
shelter.
The need in these
neighborhoods seems endless
most days. FIDO
continuously collects new
and used dog kennels, dog
crates, and dog houses.
FIDO continuously seeks out
donated dog food, gladly
accepting dented cans and
torn packages. Straw,
whether bundled or bagged,
as long as it’s not been
wet, is gratefully
received. But to really
begin to meet the enormous
needs in the poor
neighborhoods of our city,
more donated dog supplies
are needed. FIDO accepts
most dog supplies, new or
used, dirty or dented, as
long as they are usable.
Please contact Jennifer
Pritchard at
jenniferpritchard@msdlt.k12.in.us
if you are able to offer any
donation of dog supplies.
As important as donated
supplies are, the committed
service of dedicated,
street-smart, level-headed
volunteers is even more
crucial. A balance of
compassion, common sense,
and emotional restraint are
key qualities for dealing
with some of the tough
situations and difficult
people that are
encountered. Of course, a
basic understanding of dog
behavior and health are
important too. If you are
interested in devoting your
time in an ongoing manner to
help alleviate the suffering
of dogs kept outside, please
contact Michelle Pritchett
at
map32898@aol.com.
Never doubt
that a small group of
committed people can change
the world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has.
--Margaret Mead