Group builds outdoor pet houses ahead of winter storm

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. —  A group of volunteers is filling the gaps to help keep pets safe during the winter storm.

Melissa Lawing of AJ’s Landscaping and the Animal League of Gaston County are behind this effort that builds outdoor pet houses and offers straw for pets in need in the community. 

Since its inception, Lawing said the group has built almost 800 outdoor pet houses. 

This effort is in partnership with the Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement. 

Capt. Kyle Yancey said he advises dog owners to bring their dogs inside, whether it’s a garage, home or a storage building during the storm. If that’s not possible, he said outdoor shelter is essential.

“We always encourage them to have some type of structure with four walls and a roof and preferably off the ground, so that they can have some insulation. So a lot of times the straw can be underneath the house. That helps insulate it. That can be straw inside the house,” Yancey said. 

Volunteer Amanda Fifield spent part of her Friday helping build outdoor houses for pets ahead of the storm.

“My biggest concern is they’re not going to have enough shelter, and they’re not going to have any heat, and they’re going to freeze to death,” Fifield said. 

Fifield said their effort has had an impact in the community.

“I think it’s making a difference for sure, because the dogs have a place to go,” Fifield said. 

She recalls seeing the reaction of dogs when she has delivered dog houses and straw with Lawing before. 

“To see the dogs as soon as they see the dog house or the straw, they just go right in after we get it all settled in, with all the straw and everything. They just go right in, and they’ll sit. Some get really excited, and they’ll jump around and jump in, jump out. You can tell it’s really loved,” Fifield said.

Kenneth White has noticed the difference firsthand. While he plans to bring his dogs inside of the house during the storm, he’s grateful for the outdoor dog houses and fence the group built for his pets.

“They have more room to play? They’re a whole lot more calm than they were before. It’s been a really big help,” White said.

On Friday people were also stopping by AJ’s Landscaping to pick up free straw, including Teresa Christopher. She said she was picking it up for someone else’s dog houses. 

“If you cannot bring them inside. It is very vital to have it, to try to keep them warm,” Christopher said.

Fifield, who fosters dogs with medical needs, has witnessed the need for outdoor dog houses this week.

“The dog that I picked up the other day, he was an outside dog. He’s only five months old, and he was going to weather the storm outside all by himself. It just breaks my heart,” Fifield said. 

The dog will now stay warm inside during the storm with three other foster dogs and her six dogs. 

She plans to continue giving back by helping dogs who need an extra helping hand.

“I just want to do what I can to help out the dogs,” Fifield said.

The group has 45 houses available this time around. Those interested can contact Gaston Police Animal Care and Enforcement for more information.

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