Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

#FosterPrograms

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Kendra Ralston
Marketing and Development Manager
Rescued Pets Movement
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Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

Hey Kendra!

I feel you on this. My recommendation is always to go where the people are outside of social media. So here are some examples!

~Bottle Tags & Coasters: We have volunteers that deliver bottle tags & coasters with a photo of a pet & a QR code to our website. We currently use this for adoptions but are also venturing into the QR code linking to foster application as well (hello kitten season). I've attached a photo to help. Places like soda shops, wineries, breweries, nearby restaurants. Most local spots have been super accommodating and it saves them money on coasters here & there. They can get pricey!
~Large Cardboard Cutouts of Foster Pets: We put them in places where we know people go such as the Tax Collector's office, libraries, school reception areas, office buildings, the DMV (how random to see a cardboard cutout of a dog in the seat next to you while you wait to renew your driver's license). 
~Vet Office Partners: We have some vet offices nearby that will take some foster pets and showcase them in their lobby, or have flyers/QR codes linking to your shelter's pets. 
~Volunteers: We talk often about those who follow our social media are already aware, but what about our volunteers? Having challenges/games/rewards for them sharing a foster plea post or recruiting X number of new foster families during a challenge period can be a fun way to bring in more folks that otherwise may not follow you on social media yet.

Hope these help!

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

I love the tag idea but wonder if you have connections on printing.  This could get very pricey for us as well.  I struggle as well to get fosters that do more than foster fail, but find word of mouth has proven my best option.  Here's a couple other ideas:
- Reach out to large corporation HR departments and ask to attend their monthly/quarterly inservice and do a presentation
- Partner with local libraries and participate in major events.  Our libraries do a "Doggo Destress Day" where I bring puppies in for their parish staff meeting. Then I leave info at the library.
- Advertise with flyers and QR codes on college campuses

Hey Kendra!

I feel you on this. My recommendation is always to go where the people are outside of social media. So here are some examples!

~Bottle Tags & Coasters: We have volunteers that deliver bottle tags & coasters with a photo of a pet & a QR code to our website. We currently use this for adoptions but are also venturing into the QR code linking to foster application as well (hello kitten season). I've attached a photo to help. Places like soda shops, wineries, breweries, nearby restaurants. Most local spots have been super accommodating and it saves them money on coasters here & there. They can get pricey!
~Large Cardboard Cutouts of Foster Pets: We put them in places where we know people go such as the Tax Collector's office, libraries, school reception areas, office buildings, the DMV (how random to see a cardboard cutout of a dog in the seat next to you while you wait to renew your driver's license). 
~Vet Office Partners: We have some vet offices nearby that will take some foster pets and showcase them in their lobby, or have flyers/QR codes linking to your shelter's pets. 
~Volunteers: We talk often about those who follow our social media are already aware, but what about our volunteers? Having challenges/games/rewards for them sharing a foster plea post or recruiting X number of new foster families during a challenge period can be a fun way to bring in more folks that otherwise may not follow you on social media yet.

Hope these help!

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

Hey Kendra!

I feel you on this. My recommendation is always to go where the people are outside of social media. So here are some examples!

~Bottle Tags & Coasters: We have volunteers that deliver bottle tags & coasters with a photo of a pet & a QR code to our website. We currently use this for adoptions but are also venturing into the QR code linking to foster application as well (hello kitten season). I've attached a photo to help. Places like soda shops, wineries, breweries, nearby restaurants. Most local spots have been super accommodating and it saves them money on coasters here & there. They can get pricey!
~Large Cardboard Cutouts of Foster Pets: We put them in places where we know people go such as the Tax Collector's office, libraries, school reception areas, office buildings, the DMV (how random to see a cardboard cutout of a dog in the seat next to you while you wait to renew your driver's license). 
~Vet Office Partners: We have some vet offices nearby that will take some foster pets and showcase them in their lobby, or have flyers/QR codes linking to your shelter's pets. 
~Volunteers: We talk often about those who follow our social media are already aware, but what about our volunteers? Having challenges/games/rewards for them sharing a foster plea post or recruiting X number of new foster families during a challenge period can be a fun way to bring in more folks that otherwise may not follow you on social media yet.

Hope these help!

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

Hey Kendra!

I feel you on this. My recommendation is always to go where the people are outside of social media. So here are some examples!

~Bottle Tags & Coasters: We have volunteers that deliver bottle tags & coasters with a photo of a pet & a QR code to our website. We currently use this for adoptions but are also venturing into the QR code linking to foster application as well (hello kitten season). I've attached a photo to help. Places like soda shops, wineries, breweries, nearby restaurants. Most local spots have been super accommodating and it saves them money on coasters here & there. They can get pricey!
~Large Cardboard Cutouts of Foster Pets: We put them in places where we know people go such as the Tax Collector's office, libraries, school reception areas, office buildings, the DMV (how random to see a cardboard cutout of a dog in the seat next to you while you wait to renew your driver's license). 
~Vet Office Partners: We have some vet offices nearby that will take some foster pets and showcase them in their lobby, or have flyers/QR codes linking to your shelter's pets. 
~Volunteers: We talk often about those who follow our social media are already aware, but what about our volunteers? Having challenges/games/rewards for them sharing a foster plea post or recruiting X number of new foster families during a challenge period can be a fun way to bring in more folks that otherwise may not follow you on social media yet.

Hope these help!

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone!

Right now (and pretty much all the time) there is a huge influx of animals in shelters and not enough foster parents to go around. Does anyone have any ideas on ways to recruit more fosters? We have a decent social media presence and plea for fosters often, but that only seems to do so much. 

Any and all ideas are welcome!! Thanks everyone!