Animal Welfare Professionals

I have been posting the found stray animals that come into the shelter on our Facebook page. My question is how do you go about posting the animals that are emaciated? In my experience I understand that there are a number of ways an animal could have ended up in that condition, but most of the responses are negative towards the potential owner and our facility. I do my best not to show case that the animal has been underfed.  Do you post them?  

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Michelle Bianchi
Programs Specialist
Rochester Animal Services
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This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

One easy thing you can do is post the photo and turn comments off. That way the photo is out there and people can message you if they recognize the dog. But the rude folks can't add nasty comments. And in the caption you can say there are many reasons a dog might look like that.

Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2023 09:36 AM
From: Michelle Bianchi
Subject: Social media found posts

I have been posting the found stray animals that come into the shelter on our Facebook page. My question is how do you go about posting the animals that are emaciated? In my experience I understand that there are a number of ways an animal could have ended up in that condition, but most of the responses are negative towards the potential owner and our facility. I do my best not to show case that the animal has been underfed.  Do you post them?  

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Michelle Bianchi
Programs Specialist
Rochester Animal Services
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Hi Michelle -

We post them all and say call or email and I recommend you turn off comments.  We are getting slammed now by our volunteers for posting a cat dumped in our parking lot with our chip - (adopter refuses to answer door or phone, blocked us and LEO) but we require and instruct all finder to post on social media, post in our local lost pet forum for 7 days before we can start the adoption process.  Our policy is our policy and even we have to follow it.  Thanks for the post!
Susan

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Susan Austin
HUMANE SOCIETY FOR BOONE COUNTY
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2023 09:36 AM
From: Michelle Bianchi
Subject: Social media found posts

I have been posting the found stray animals that come into the shelter on our Facebook page. My question is how do you go about posting the animals that are emaciated? In my experience I understand that there are a number of ways an animal could have ended up in that condition, but most of the responses are negative towards the potential owner and our facility. I do my best not to show case that the animal has been underfed.  Do you post them?  

------------------------------
Michelle Bianchi
Programs Specialist
Rochester Animal Services
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