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About FETCH!
FETCH! (Free Exercise Time for Canines and their Humans!)
is a grassroots nonprofit organization whose purpose is
to work with Island County officials to establish and maintain
off-leash parks on Whidbey Island. FETCH! is devoted to promoting
safe, responsible off-leash play time for dogs and their people.
 This
pack of canine enthusiasts has worked with dogged determination
to create and maintain five beautiful off-leash parks where
their canine companions can romp, play, chase balls and cavort
safely and without flouting the county-wide leash law or annoying
their neighbors. FETCH! was founded in 1998 and currently
has approximately 450 dues-paying members and about twice
that many barking, tail wagging members. FETCH! has grown
and matured into a well-known and respected Island County
organization.
Except for the beach park (at Double Bluff), all FETCH! parks
are fenced - allowing dogs to play safely and owners to relax
and socialize. All FETCH! parks provide doggie poop bags and
a mix of amenities that include picnic tables, shelters, a
rinse station, portable toilets and sheltered bulletin boards.
Periodic work parties staffed by FETCH! volunteers assure
that the parks are maintained in good condition.
FETCH! is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and depends
on dues and donations to maintain and improve its five parks.
We publish a bi-yearly newsletter, host fund raisers and work
parties to maintain and improve Whidbey Island's off-leash
parks. FETCH! hopes to encourage everyone who uses the park
to join. Growing our membership will help us to grow our credibility
will with the Island County Parks Department and the wider
community.
We hope you'll take some time to explore our web site and
learn more about FETCH!'s canines and humans. Our site offers
detailed information about each FETCH! off-leash park, FETCH!
history, current FETCH! news and links to canine-relevant
information on Whidbey Island and the greater Puget Sound
region.
History
FETCH! (Free Exercise Time for Canines and Their Humans)
was conceived in 1998 when 81-year-old Margaret Kuehn was
"more or less arrested" for allowing her dog to
run off-leash at Double Bluff Beach, an undeveloped stretch
of rugged beach on Whidbey Island.
The impulse from that run-in with the law motivated Kuehn
to start a petition drive to have a portion of Double Bluff
Beach designated as a leash-free zone. The drive gained momentum
when Kuehn was joined by Patricia Buchanan, a volunteer at
WAIF, the local animal shelter. More canine advocates and
activists joined the cause, sacrificing free time, weekends
and evenings to write letters, encourage people to sign petitions
and to attend county council meetings.
Ultimately their hard work paid off. In 1999, the Island
County commissioners agreed to a one-year trial separation
of the beach at Double Bluff. FETCH! board members and volunteers
began an educational program encouraging the responsible use
of the newly designated off-leash beach. Dog owners were urged
to clean up after their pets and to keep their dogs leashed
until they were inside the boundary of the off-leash area.
During the trial separation period, County Commissioner Mike
Shelton sent a note to then FETCH! President, Patricia Buchanan:
"I just wanted you all to know that since this
program has gone into effect I have not had one complaint.
I had many phone calls from people telling me what a mistake
it was to allow dogs off-leash at Double Bluff. I developed
a standard answer which is, 'People are currently using
the beach as an off-leash area anyway and I expect that
problems currently being experienced will be rectified by
FETCH! oversight.' My hat off to you all because not one
of these people has called a second time after the ordinance
took effect. I believe that is because of your diligence.
Thanks!!"
At the end of the trial year, county commissioners voted
to make the Double Bluff Beach off-leash area permanent. They
also designated two other off-leash parks to be placed under
FETCH! stewardship: Marguerite Brons Memorial Park: 13 acres
of fenced meadow and wooded trails in Bayview (South Whidbey)
and Patmore Pit, 40 acres of partially fenced meadow and woods
in Coupeville (mid-Whidbey).
A couple of years later, due to the tireless efforts of FETCH!
board members Jon and Lori Matteson, two off-leash parks were
opened in Oak Harbor (North Whidbey): Oak Harbor Dog Park
at the end of Technical Road and the Clover Valley Dog Park.
These days, Whidbey Island dogs have plenty to bark and wag
about with five off-leash parks scattered across the island
from north to south.
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Become A Member
There are a lot of great reasons to join FETCH!. Your
membership will help to ensure that Whidbey Island's
off-leash areas continue to thrive. Member dues go toward
promoting and improving our off-leash areas and communicating
with FETCH! members, the wider Whidbey community and
visitors to the island. Member dues and donations subsidize
our web site, newsletter, postage, printing, phone line
and educational brochures and materials.
You can pick up a membership application at any FETCH!
park or mail in a PDF
application with a check made out to FETCH!.
Your contributions are tax-deductible.
Donate
Donations to FETCH! are greatly appreciated and go
directly to supporting safe, high quality off-leash
parks where our beloved canine friends can run, jump
and cavort safely. FETCH! is a volunteer-run organization
and all donations go 100 percent to promoting and improving
our off-leash areas and communicating with our members,
the wider Whidbey community and visitors to the island.
Donations help to subsidize our web site, newsletter,
postage, printing, phone line and educational brochures
and materials. If your company offers matching donations
you can also contribute through your workplace. Our
Federal ID# is 91-1986601.
Volunteer
The best way to ensure that FETCH! parks are well maintained
is to volunteer. FETCH! is always looking for volunteers,
particularly in the summer months. Each of our five
parks has maintenance work days where volunteer help
is always needed. Volunteers are also needed to staff
an information table at Double Bluff on the weekends.
If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity
for FETCH! please contact us [link to contact info]
so we can add your name to our volunteer list.
Board Members
The FETCH! board meets twice a year to discuss issues
related to the off-leash areas. Our board meetings are
always open to our members and the public so those with
an interest can get a better understanding of our short
and long term plans and goals. Please contact us [link
to contact info] for more information.
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