Paw Patrol needs dog supplies, tools and fencing items

Each week, Meredith Moss profiles a non-profit organization in our community in need of specific donations. Meredith and her weekly column have recently received the first “Friend of Philanthropy Award” from The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Dayton.

If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

Paw Patrol, the all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that aims at helping chained or unsheltered outdoor dogs, has been around since 2012 and continues to grow each year.

Executive director Brandi Hutchison said the last time we ran a “Make a Difference” for her organization readers called for months wanting to make donations and volunteer.

“Everyone in our group loves animals and we all have pets,” she explains. “We see how our pets respond to being in a good home and being part of a family and when we see a dog sitting outside alone, we know it wants to be inside and loved.”

She says all animals need the basics: food, fresh water, shelter and the ability to exercise.

“In extreme weather, being outside is hard on all animals, especially when the dog doesn’t have the proper amenities” Hutchison says. “Our goal is to better the lives of outdoor dogs by providing dog houses and heated water bowls, sending food, giving them toys, etc.”

The group pays for spaying and neutering services for the dogs and most importantly provides education to owners.

“Nine times out of ten, the dogs are not being abused — it’s just lack of education, so we try to educate the owners,” Hutchison adds. “We talk to the owners about why the dog is outdoors and we try to provide alternates to being chained outdoors. We’re willing to provide crates to help them integrate their dogs inside the home, for example.”

How it works

Anyone in the community may send Paw Patrol a referral of a dog in need, including the owners themselves, via phone call, Facebook message, email, or the contact form on their website. All information is kept confidential. Volunteers may also work by canvasing a neighborhood, knocking on doors, talking with residents and leaving contact information, all in an effort to identify outdoor dogs that are routinely chained or unsheltered in the outdoors.

Once a dog in need is identified, Paw Patrol volunteers try to establish a relationship with the dog’s owner. If the owner responds in a positive way, the group then builds a fence (when possible), installs an overhead trolley, sets up a large kennel, or provides a doghouse. When the chain or tether is removed, the dog can then be released to move around more freely and naturally, allowing it to exercise and socialize.

The owner must sign a contract with Paw Patrol before any work is done, and must agree to allow the animal to be spayed or neutered if it is not already, avoiding more unwanted litters of puppies.

All costs are covered by donations of materials for the building projects or money for related expenses.

Here’s what they need

The dogs that Paw Patrol helps tend to be large so keep that in mind when you’re considering donating items like collars, leashes, dog beds, etc. Items donated can be gently used, but must be clean and flea-free.

Dog Supplies

Tools and Fencing Supplies

Paw Patrol is looking for new volunteers, especially individuals with fence building experience.

Please call (937) 350-1PAW (1729) to arrange for a donation of any of the items listed above. You’re also asked to alert the group if you know of a chained outdoor dog in need of help. Their web site is www.pawpatroldayton.com