Shelter’s Edge

- No more pencils! No more books! …But some very cool adoptions campaigns, like this “School’s Out for Summer” promotion from Animal Friends, featuring waived fees for kitties 2 and up and $20.12 off for those showing a teacher, school faculty or student ID. Major bonus points for the fun report cards that were displayed on all the kennels. (So not gonna comment on Forky’s final grade in Spanish…)

- How to get to the head of the class: crib notes from Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, who recently posted wonderful photos of graduates of their basic manners class—including this one of young pittie Baby and her family.
“She didn’t always make it easy for her devoted family to persevere,” the Springfield, MA, agency told their Facebook fans, “but just look at her now! They stuck to their trainer’s recommendations and never considered giving up.” What a great way to thank your adopters, promote your services, reinforce the importance of training AND debunk some myths about pit bulls!

- Ever looked at all those emails in your inbox and felt like your head was gonna pull a Linda Blair? Don’t despair—read 10 Tips for More Effective E-Mail Communication, pick your favorite one and try it out today. I’m liking #6…what about you?

- Love Nebraska Humane Society‘s mini-campaign to find a home for Chase, a 9-year-old dog who’s been in foster care for 142 days.

NHS does everything right here: A) They set a concrete goal attached to a meaningful number; B) are clear about what action folks should take; C) make it easy to take action; D) include a contact address in the status so folks don’t have to go digging elsewhere; E) have created a simple, informational and sweet video to showcase Chase, and F) are educating the community about their foster care program in the meantime. I could go to Z, but I’d have to change the title of this column, so, uh, just check out the video…

- The old “You-think-you-know what-someone-wants-but-don’t-really-know-until-you-ask” trick:

Animal Rescue League of Iowa got some very specific responses to this question. Folks wanted info on foster care, pit bull ambassador programs and—this was cool!—to learn more about shelter staff, “the people who get down and dirty to help the animals.”

Ever done a “Meet the Staff”-type shout-out or shared photos of staff and volunteers on your website or Facebook page? Please tell me the deets!

Related links:
ASPCA Research: Fosters as Adoption Agents
“I’ve Got Two Words For You”
Social Media Resources and Related Links

Tags: Adoption Marketing, Adoption Programs, Fee-Waived Adoptions, Foster Care, Marketing & Media, Saving Lives, Social Media, Videos

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