Building Together for Detroit Dogs
September 30th, 2026
By Johanna Casao, Communications Manager –
CALLIE ATTANASIO, Field Services Manager
This September, our RedRover Responders team had the privilege of returning to Detroit to help our friends at Detroit Dog Aide build enclosures for 24 chained dogs.
It wasn’t always a smooth ride. We dealt with a flat tire, sticky humidity, and pouring rain. But our team persisted through it all, donning ponchos, shifting supplies to other vehicles, and keeping spirits high. The dogs let us know when we were slacking on the job, including Thrill, who thoroughly supervised the build of his own kennel and two of his friends’ kennels.
The hard work of our volunteers is life-changing for these dogs and the families that love them. A chained dog often has inadequate shelter, limited reach, and little protection from Michigan’s brutal winters and hot summers. With a safe enclosure, these dogs now have room to move, a dry, warm place to sleep, and freedom from a tether.
And then there are the zoomies. There’s no better feeling than watching a dog realize, often after a moment of hesitation, that they can finally run freely. Those first laps around the yard made every soggy, sweaty hour worth it.
TIA JOHNSON, Outreach Manager
Our RedRover Responders volunteers rounded out the summer season in the Midwest’s “Motor City,” Detroit. We joined our partners at Dog Aide, a local nonprofit that provides essential services and resources to Detroit pet parents with dogs. Together, we built outdoor enclosures that give dogs a large space for playtime, rest, and plenty of zoomies. The enclosures were also outfitted with roofs that provide protection from the elements, including sun, rain, and snow.
This was my first time joining an Unchaining deployment, and I can’t overstate how heartwarming and inspiring it was. Volunteers worked tirelessly, making sure each and every enclosure was built properly and securely, ensuring that each dog’s safety was the number one priority. My favorite part of the deployment was having the chance to talk with the pet parents about their dogs and how excited they were to have a safe place for them to roam freely. I can’t think of a better experience than being able to spend the day making families happy. And of course, it was all led by the incredible team at Dog Aide, who provided excellent training and support each step of the way.
I can’t wait for another RedRover Responders Unchaining deployment in Detroit, and I highly recommend our readers become volunteers so that they can join us on the next one!
