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How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

  • 1.  How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 07-01-2025 12:31 PM

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hello,

    Does anyone have experience with a non-profit rescue that does not actively promote or market their dogs?  I am helping a volunteer walk some dogs boarded at a vet clinic but these dogs are barely visible anywhere except for adopt-a-pet out of state.  What can I do?  I feel this is inhumane.  Why would a rescue pull dogs from a shelter only to have them languish in boarding?


    #MarketingandSocialMedia



  • 2.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-09-2025 07:17 AM

    If you are helping walk, bring someone and get good pictures, especially close ups. I am part of a very small rescue and promotion is hard, but we share all our dogs on local community Facebook pages in our area, and that is where the majority of our pets are seen and where we make connections for adoption. There are lots of rescues in our area and WAY too many homeless pets, but this has been a good strategy for us since we are small (we only have about 15-20 dogs max at a time, we are foster based with no facility). We just started posting on Instagram too...any social media outlet is great, just look for rehoming/adoption/rescue groups in the area. We are members of probably 10 groups and the page admins have to approve the posts. Some of the groups yield better results than others. And give as much info on each pet as you can. If the rescue is not doing it, you can still do it as a volunteer.



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    Enger Dickey
    Co-director
    Emerald Coast Pet Rescue
    FL
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  • 3.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-10-2025 07:14 AM

    Every time an adoptable animal goes out in public whether to the dog park, the store, or a weekend outing, they should wear a colorful 'shirt'  (we add a bandana) saying they are available for adoption w/shelter's logo &/or name &/or phone #.



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    lars pardo
    greenbank wa
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  • 4.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-10-2025 07:23 AM

    This is so sad, though, pretty standard in the rescue world due to the overpopulation/limited fosters. Are you able to take the dogs on a 'field trip?' On a hike, to a bar/restaurant patio, to a pet store, etc? If so, this is a great way to get them exposure in the community. 

    Like many have already said, local Facebook groups are your friend. Post like crazy, make sure the posts are shareable. I'm in marketing for my paying job, and I've recently read that people need to see something TEN TIMES before they take action. No amount of posting is too much. And if you can do a fun video (think TikTok), those get so much engagement. 

    Kudos to you for trying to get these dogs out of boarding - keep making noise!! 



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    Meredith Evens
    Founder
    Olyver & Co
    WI
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  • 5.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-10-2025 12:53 PM

    I volunteer at a large municipal shelter in Indianapolis.  We (as many shelters) do "Doggie Day Outs". We take our pups to festivals, farmers markets, breweries, etc--anywhere there are people (especially families). It is possible that not all of your dogs will do well with this but we have found MOST do great.  It is time for socialization and  out of the shelter. There is no reason this could not be done by rescues (and even volunteers for rescues taking them out for their foster parents). I can attest that many of these dogs have found their forever homes from the visibility of the DDOs and quite frankly even if they don't they seem to be adopted within a week or so. You'd be amazed how many people approach you, interact with the dogs, take pictures and share them. It is also an opportunity for you to get pictures of the pups. Photos  with people (including children) and these pets in public places allow potential adopters to see themselves--very powerful marketing. So grab your "adopt me" harness, leash or bandana and experience what we have come to call "the magic of the Doggie Day Out"!!



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    Susan Murphy
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  • 6.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-20-2025 10:47 AM

    Susan,

    We are trying to implement a Doggy Day Out program here at our shelter. Do you have any SOPs, guidelines, or any sort of paperwork for your program? I'd love to take a look and share it with our team to see if we can utilize some of your shelter's tips and tricks!



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    Animal Protection Society - Friday Harbor
    Private, Nonprofit Animal Welfare Organization
    Friday Harbor, Washington
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  • 7.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-20-2025 01:01 PM

    The Everett (WA) municipal shelter - down the road & a ferry ride away from you - has a popular doggie day out program called Wandering Rover. I understand they run out of available dogs quickly. They have a great reputation & track record.

    more info:

    https://www.everettwa.gov/3212/Wandering-Rover



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    lars pardo
    greenbank wa
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  • 8.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-21-2025 07:56 AM

    Hi Susan, 
    Thank you for asking. We hadn't thought about Doggie Day Out, but this might be something we could consider.  We are a small 501c3 in rural Arkansas without volunteers.  However, asking for half a day or a day might be something people would be willing to try. 

    Connie 



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    Connie Ash
    Director
    Mended Paws Sanctuary
    AR
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  • 9.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-22-2025 09:21 AM

    Hi, Alex:
    I see your organization uses Petfinder. They have a small grant available for Petfinder users that requires that applicants complete the Maddie's University course Short-Term Foster and Field Trips. The grant is funded at the beginning of each year and continues until the funds run out, so I don't know if that has happened yet. At any rate, the course may help you get your program started. 



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    Erika Shaffer
    Instructional Designer
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 10.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-21-2025 06:29 AM

    I volunteer with an all foster based dog rescue in Philadelphia.  I have found that your greatest asset is your voice.  Every walk is a conversation , every outing is a conversation and that is with dogs or with just humans. Many people are very interested in learning about fostering and adopting so I start conversations.  We also just had a Yoga with Puppies event which sparked interested in a few of our dogs. As many others have already said,  social media also plays a big role in getting the word out.



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    Regina Feighan-Drach
    Volunteer
    Wet Nose Rescue
    PA
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  • 11.  RE: How to increase visibility of adoptable dogs

    Posted 07-22-2025 08:51 AM

    Some resources to check out:



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    Kelly Duer
    Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
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