C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. – A Different Kind Of Rescue
Freeing dogs from the chain…one dog at a time. C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. is a different kind of rescue, and they’ve been providing help to dogs in the Detroit area since 2011.
In 2011 Gina Freemon came up with an innovative way to help enhance the lives of dogs living in Detroit. Not all rescue organizations follow a traditional structure; C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. is proof that sometimes following your own path can make the greatest impact.
C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. is a 501C3 non profit based in Detroit that helps improve the quality of life for dogs that live their lives chained up outside. They provide insulated dog houses, secure fencing, spay & neuter assistance, vaccines, heartworm medication, treats, toys, food, and owner education to those in need.
It All Started In 2011
C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. began in 2011 when their director Gina Freemon was working as a community care registered nurse in the low income neighborhoods of southwest Detroit. She was shocked by how many dogs spent their lives chained up outside, so she began asking the owners if she could help by bringing by some treats.
After researching and speaking with many of the dog owners she found out that the majority were chained up outside because they could escape fences. Many of the owners believed chaining up dogs outside is fine because it’s what they were taught was normal.
Gina decided she wanted to do more for these dogs. With owner permission she, along with her husband and father, extended their first 4 foot fence. Because of that fence extension two dogs were able to be unchained.
She says she’ll never forget the feeling of watching the dogs behavior immediately change as soon as they were let free, they instantly became “normal” dogs. It was so rewarding she was compelled to help more dogs, and that is how C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. began.
Accomplishments
Since C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. began they’ve been able to help 856 dogs. They’ve provided 507 dog houses, 511 dogs have been spayed or neutered, 27 fence projects, and 202 dogs have been rescued and adopted.
All of these have been made possible by generous donations and volunteers. 100% of the donations go directly to the dogs. They’ve partnered with other local rescue organizations to get many of the dogs spayed or neutered. In addition to the 202 dogs that they’ve rescued themselves additional litters of puppies and dogs have gone directly to other rescues for adoption.
Continuing To Make A Difference
C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. is continuing to make a difference in the lives of many animals in need. In the few years they’ve been around over 500 dogs have been helped.
The owners are much appreciative as well. They don’t want their dogs to live tied up; many have asked for fences and lighter tie outs. Some have let their dogs live inside, most spend much more time with their dogs after receiving help and education on the living environment for their animals. Some owners have surrendered their dogs directly to C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. in order to give their dogs a better life.
Freemon says “I believe that dog owners trust us, and we are very successful with our outreach and education because we focus on building relationships with these dog owners. We do not go in and bark orders, judge, criticize, or cause problems. We are very calm, open-minded, respectful, informative, and actually work to “help” the dogs and their owners.”
A Different Kind Of Rescue
They’re not you’re traditional rescue organization but C.H.A.I.N.E.D. Inc. is proof that outreach, education, and providing supplies to dog owners is an quite effective at making a difference. The lives of the dogs they’ve freed from chains has been greatly enhanced.
If you’d like to help out you can visit their site to see what they’re currently in need of; they’ve also got an amazon wishlist set up. If you’re unable to donate consider sharing their story. They’ve proven that sometimes thinking outside the box is the best way to get things done.
We can’t do everything, but we can each do something.
The Thursday Barks and Bytes blog hop is hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like a Dog.
Kate Obrien says
A great success story. Keep up the great work.
K9s Over Coffee says
Love your article! I always enjoy reading/hearing about unique rescue efforts ~ I especially like the fact that C.H.A.I.N.E.D. does not judge and criticize the dog owners in question, but provide proactive solutions! How pawsome 🙂
Jen Gabbard says
Yeah I love that about them, too. It makes people more willing to work with them and help out themselves because they’re not out there to judge, they’re just out there to help in whatever way they can.
Jodi says
THAT is AWESOME!! I’ve always said education is key. I wish they taught proper treatment of animals in schools, I think you’d see a major change in animal welfare within a short time.
Thank heavens for people like Gina and her husband!
Thank you for adding this post to the blog hop.
Jen Gabbard says
I love that they added outreach to their goals. People don’t change without knowledge. They’re able to educate people without being judgmental which is a huge task many people seem to fail at.
2 brown dawgs blog says
I am from just outside of Detroit and I have never heard of this group. It sounds like they are doing great work. Thanks so much for joining the hop!
Jen Gabbard says
They’re pretty awesome, I wish I was a little bit closer to Detroit because I’d love to help them on weekends.
2 brown dawgs blog says
Yikes this puppy does not venture into Detroit….
Lauren Miller says
Wow! They sound like an awesome organization!! Thank you for sharing!
Sharon Seltzer says
I absolutely love what C.H.A.I.N.E.D. does for dogs. Gina took a problem and solved it with a pretty simple solution. Amazing! I’m so glad you shared this story. I hope other people take the lead and start a program like this in their city.
Jen Gabbard says
That’s exactly what’s so great about them; they’re making things better with simple solutions. No one can change the world but they’re making a big difference with the resources they have.
DZ DogAdventures says
Such a great thing!! Thank you for helping remove chains and change minds!
It's Dog Or Nothing says
I absolutely love this. I have never heard of C.H.A.I.N.E.D., but they certainly have my full support. I think that sometimes we are too quick to judge people that keep their dogs in these types of conditions. As you stated, a lot of times people just don’t know the difference. Education and assistance go a long way!
M. K. Clinton says
I have to say this is one of the most inspirational stories that i have read in quite some time. There are a lot of angels that walk on two feet. ♥ Thanks for sharing this remarkable lady.
Chewy the Golden says
So many happy puppy faces! I’m glad they have found such success in their mission. A truly inspiring story.
Mark S says
Thanks for highlighting the work of thia great organization. Good stuff.
Beth_Daily_Dog_Tag says
What a great organization!
Dogs N Pawz says
That is awesome! What a great way to help out!