HOWS stands for Houses of Wood & Straw, and the HOWS Project is a
community service project which exists to construct wooden dog
houses and deliver them, along with bales of straw bedding and other
essential items, to outside dogs in Charlottesville and surrounding
counties in need of more appropriate outdoor shelter.
The HOWS Project was created by Stacey Norris, its Project
Coordinator, in 2008. In its first year of operation -- with the
help of local schools’ carpentry classes, hardware and building
supply companies, individual donors, animal control officers, and
animal loving volunteers -- the HOWS Project built and distributed
51 dog houses to outside dogs in need in Charlottesville, Albemarle,
Greene, and Fluvanna. Bales of straw, rawhide, and dog biscuits were
also given with each house, and – in some cases – water and food
bowls as well. In total, 62 dogs benefited from the HOWS Project
2008.
2009 proved to be a very successful year as well. Again with the
help of many local individuals, groups, and companies -- 53 wooden
houses were built and distributed to dogs (and a few feral cats!) in
need in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa,
Nelson, and Orange. HOWS recipients from both 2008 and 2009, as well
as other dogs in need, received bales of straw bedding -- 175 bales
in all. Other items such as dog food, nylon collars, water bowls and
food bowls were provided as needed.
The HOWS Project 2010 looks to continue its momentum by providing
another 50-60 houses for outside dogs in need; arranging a straw
drive to supply as many dogs as possible with fresh straw for the
cold winter months ahead; furthering education to promote the proper
care and treatment of outside dogs; and beginning the process of becoming a non-profit
organization. |
Not all dogs get the opportunity to regularly share the indoors with
their guardian. In fact, some dogs live their entire lives outside,
many confined, some even chained or tethered. Current law allows for
this, but the HOWS Project does not condone it. We believe that all
dogs should be — and need to be — allowed inside. Dogs are social
creatures that long to be near their guardian, with their “pack”,
seeking only the basics — love, attention, and protection.
Unfortunately, too many dogs find themselves outside alone, at the
end of a chain or in a tiny pen, and without appropriate shelter.
The HOWS Project strives to educate people about the needs of dogs;
and, for those dogs who must spend much or all of their time
outside, we provide more comfortable shelter than what they would
have had otherwise.
When outside, your dog’s shelter need be substantial enough to
protect him from the summer heat, the winter cold, the winds, rains,
snow, and ice as well.
Wooden houses are best, as they insulate in the winter and “breathe”
in the summer. Size matters too; a house should be big enough for
your dog to stand in and turn around comfortably, but not too much
bigger than that. A raised floor helps to keep the house from
absorbing the heat or cold from the ground, as well as protects the
floor from rotting. An offset opening and waterproofed entryway
cover further help keep your dog safe from wetness and wind. The
HOWS Project provides all of this, plus straw bedding to line the
inside floor when temperatures drop below 50° F.
Current law, however, does not specify any of this. The state of
Virginia merely requires that an outside dog’s shelter have a roof,
floor, and three sides. That’s it. So, while an outdoor shelter
might be legally suitable, it could be a far cry from what your dog
really needs to be comfortable. |
