Mission
Improve and advocate for the lives and welfare of pets and their people in Oregon (the ancestral and current lands of the Cathlamet, Clatsop, Chinook, and other native peoples).
Uniting Pet Professionals
Unite pet professionals to advance force-free principles in all pet industries and in local, state, and federal legislation
Promoting Humane Care
Build and maintain a comprehensive living directory of force-free pet professionals
Community Education
Community education and outreach through events, targeted campaigns, and coalition-building.
Pet professionals are tasked with helping us achieve the best possible care for our pets.
Every professional whether they are a store clerk, manufacturer of dog products, veterinarian, trainer, or groomer can
have a positive or detrimental impact on our dogs’ lives. One of the primary goals of Force Free Oregon is to provide a
directory of trustworthy pet professionals who adhere to force free methodology and seek continued learning and
professional development.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
ForceFree is a standard of practice and ethics.
It is a belief that every animal including our pets should have the basic rights to live without unnecessary
fear and pain. And as sentient beings, have the right of choice.
It is up to all animal care professionals to follow modern understanding of behavioral science in the support of these rights.
An informed community is a strong community.
To help safegaurd our communities' pets from aversive and unethical treatment.
Recognizing businesses in our community that practice Force Free and help to inform their customers of the advantages of Positive reinforcement.
Helping Oregon in the choice to be +
OREGON STATE
Legislative findings and declarations
167.305
The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) Animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress and fear;
(2) Animals should be cared for in ways that minimize pain, stress, fear and suffering;
_ cont.
If Oregon State legislators can make this declaration then, it is just a step away from a ban of the tools that utilize pain, stress, fear and suffering.
It is the professional community coming together in one voice, calling for a ban on unregulated and harmful tools that will make this a reality.
O U R GOALS
Build and maintain a comprehensive living directory of force-free pet professionals
Community education and outreach through events, targeted campaigns, and coalition-building
Unite pet professionals to advance force-free principles in all pet industries and in local, state, and federal legislation
_______________________________
H O W
Working with Force Free organizations across the country to create
county /state legislative bill drafts and seek legislator sponsorship.
By researching, collecting, and creating informational resources for Oregon pet owners and professionals to better understand modern
training and handling methods.
Connecting Animal Care Professionals from varying fields to protect Oregons' pets from unnecessary harm and fear in the currently
unregulated area of companion animal training.
Bringing awareness to our communities of the harm caused by
the "Balanced" and "Pack" type of training trend that utilizes
choke, prong and shock collars on companion animals.
Donate to Force Free Oregon
Donations are currently being used for outreach and website expenses.
We stand with science and these organizations:
American Veterinary Medical Association
position statement on punishment use in training
The Pet Professional Guild
The Association for Force Free Professionals
Position statement on prong and shock collars
Ban on shock collar statement
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
position statement on the Use of Punishment.
International Association of Animal
Behavior Consultants
Veterinary Health Services
Veterinary professionals who prioritize the emotional and physical well-being of the animals in their care.
Find a FORCE FREE
P R O F E S S I O N A L
Learn More About Force Free Oregon
Podcast
AVAILABLE NOW!
Interview with the team from Force Free Oregon
On this episode, I talk with Hayley Martinez, Schel Harris, and Lorena Wallace of Force Free Oregon. They talk with me about how they are spreading the word about a force-free approach in all animal services and what changes they would like to see the animal training industry. You can find more information about Force Free Oregon on their website and by following her on Instagram and Facebook. I hope you enjoy this episode with your furry best friend.
PDX Pet Connection is a resource for Portland pet parents to discover pet businesses and non-profits in and around the Portland area. I will also be discussing training tips, best of lists for all things pets, and upcoming pet events in the area.
Blog
Uniting Pet Professionals to Improve Animal Welfare
An in-depth examination of our goals and the reasons why FFO was
created. Learn about how every professional whether they are a store clerk, manufacturer of dog products, veterinarian, trainer, or groomer will have either a positive or detrimental impact on our dogs’ lives.
Dateline November 1 2019
Upcoming Events
Ongoing
Collar Trade Up!
Next Event TBA!
DID YOU KNOW? Many ForceFree Oregon supporters are Trainers who will trade Training sessions in exchange for your choke, prong or shock collars? Its TRUE! Email us for more info.
PAST EVENT
Past Events
Force Free Oregon New Adoption Basics Training !
Dates and availibilty Limited
ForceFree Oregon will be giving away free 1 hour training basics
sessions for newly adopted dogs and owners covering the basics!
For dogs adopted between December 23rd through January 1st from Oregon Humane Society, Multnomah County Animal Shelter and any shelter or rescue within NW Oregon.
ForceFree Oregons volunteer staff are certified knowledgable, experienced dog trainers and behavior consultants who teach and train with various businesses and shelters in Oregon.
Of course using only rewards based, positive reinforcement methods and following modern behavioral understanding, you will learn how to communicate with your dog and enjoy the rewards of a happy, healthy companion.
Just contact ForceFree Oregon between Dec. 23th - Jan. 12th 2019
to find out more.
Locations and Dates are flexible
January 18th Training Event graciously hosted by Synergy Behavior Solutions
WHO WE ARE: Safe Dogs By The River is a grassroots, Mobile 501(c)(3) Non Profit Canine Education and Holistic Rescue Organization providing force free mobile services across the region, serving marginalized communities including, but not limited to, veteran, senior and homeless communities and those affected by disaster. We incorporated as a non-profit in 2010, but have been providing services since 1998. We strive to bring the Force Free Message to all those that have, know, meet or work with dogs (and all animals), teaching with kindness benefits everyone.
• We rescue animals but do not warehouse them. We see them as individuals with different needs. We limit the number of animals we take in so we can focus on each individual, addressing their needs prior to being presented to the community for adoption, and pledge to the community that we offer safe and well mannered companions. Attention to diet, emotional health, behavior modification and basic training comprise our holistic approach. We take in no more than 1-2 pets at a time, per foster, and with each successful adoption we take in another pet in need. We have had great success with this kind of program.
• We are experienced in disaster response (we are Hurricane Katrina survivors), long or short distance animal transport and we are certified in Animal First Aid & CPR. We have extensive veterinary experience, both holistic and conventional.
• We offer FREE educational classes and online support using the latest scientific research to promote pain, force and fear free methods, as well as community education options such as an informative and engaging PowerPoint presentation entitled “What Is My Dog Saying,” explaining how to read dog body language, that we offer at various places where vulnerable dog owners may congregate. This can support keeping pets in their home instead of entering the shelter system. We prioritize these services to those most vulnerable in our societies, including seniors, veterans, those displaced by disaster, as well as other marginalized communities.
• We have transitioned our home based rescue programs to a mobile based system for the best possible outcomes for those in need; programs for training a number of mobile training & behavior units to go into the communities that need it most and a number of foster units to house at risk dogs while they undergo their transformation into canine good citizens are under way. Our mobile system incorporates socialization to a whole new level and drastically increases positive outcomes of resilient and confident dogs that are wonderful additions to their communities. We work to pull pets from high volume open admission shelters, limiting the number of euthanized pets.
• We have an average 95% successful adoption placement, meaning the animals stay in the homes they were adopted into for their entire lives. We have had great success in helping people to keep their animals in their homes when they have issues that might otherwise have brought their companion animals to the shelter system.
• We deliver food, supplies, medications and offer limited medical transport for pets in need with owners that do not or cannot drive.
• We have the Guidestar-Candid Seal of Transparency and we have earned the “Top Rated” organization status on GreatNonProfits.org.
We are a tiny but mighty volunteer run community non-profit with a few dedicated volunteers, we hope to grow our force free educated volunteer foster base exponentially across many regions. We rely upon the support of our community to provide these force free, preventative & proactive, compassion & science based options for a new and better way to rescue & train and to support those in our community that may not otherwise have access to appropriate training and education resources. Will you help us to build a stronger community one companion at a time?
To make a tax deductible donation:
- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=4WM97A9YURUNC
- Please follow us on Facebook, where donations to support our Mission are accepted: https://www.facebook.com/SafeDogsByTheRiver/
- Please support us through Amazon Smile: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/90-0591559
- Rescue & Outreach Shuttle Bus Build Wishlist where items can be added and donations can be made: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/0g8wWdx?ref_=wl_share
SPOTLIGHT
FORCE FREE OREGON
A F F I L I A T E
We're here to help educate and support our communities. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often.
Be sure to add our site to your list of "favorites". We frequently update our information, and we wouldn't want you to miss any important details.