Off The Chain

Off the Chain USA provides non-judgmental assistance to improve the welfare of dogs who are chained/tethered in NE Georgia. We serve as an advocate and voice for responsible dog ownership and owner accountability. Primary services include building free fences for qualified dogs and distributing free dog houses. We also have conversations with pet owners about proper pet care, and when available, p

rovide other resources such as pet food, leashes, collars, toys, crates, water/food bowls, spay/neuter, and veterinary care. Many people chain their dogs not to be malicious, but because that’s what they’ve always known or because they don’t want their dog to run loose and potentially get hurt. We find that many of the dogs we build fences for are very well loved by their owner. Many studies have shown that dogs are highly social and intelligent creatures and can become lonely, bored, or depressed when consistently chained. Chaining a dog poses a threat to their mental and physical well-being. Chained dogs tend to exhibit more aggressive and territorial behaviors, which poses a risk to the community, as they’re significantly more likely to bite— both other dogs and humans. Chains and tethers also significantly restrict a dogs movement, and can become tangled around objects, trees, or even the dog himself, causing injury. In more rural areas especially, a chained dog is highly vulnerable to attacks from wild animals, and they’re not able to escape an attack if they’re chained or tethered. Please reach out to us if you see a chained dog or if you have a chained dog and would like assistance in learning more about alternative options to chaining.