Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Texting/emailing services

    Posted 04-22-2025 02:46 PM

    Hi everyone!

    I'm looking to see if anyone has used a texting or emailing service paid or free to schedule messages to fosters or volunteers about various things. Here's what I'm looking for...

    I need something that I can schedule a mass text to fosters just to check in or reminders for vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, etc., but I don't want to have to schedule individual text messages for each person,  I need to messages to not include other individual's information i.e. telephone numbers. 

    We also do trial adoptions at our facility and I would be using a service like this for checking in on them, as well.

    Does any of this make sense? If it does and you've used something helpful or know tips/tricks to things like google voice or such, let me in on the secrets you hold! 

    Thank you so very much in advance! :)


    #FosterPrograms
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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    Liz Gonzalez
    Operations Coordinator
    Jeffersonville Animal Shelter
    IN
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  • 2.  RE: Texting/emailing services

    Posted 04-23-2025 10:10 AM

    Hey,

       I use squarespace for my rescue website, and theres an option to send out email blasts or text blasts, and to schedule them. I believe its the same thing with shopify. Those are the only two ecommerce/websites that I've ever used for my rescue, and I use them dually as an online store front, so I'm not too sure if thats something you'd be looking for. Hope that helps a bit!



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    Brittany Vanderstine
    Founder
    Wild Exotics Animal Refuge
    NJ
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  • 3.  RE: Texting/emailing services

    Posted 04-23-2025 02:52 PM

    I have not used texting yet, but I have recently seen the feature available on GiveButter and Brevo.  Here are the links for you:

    https://givebutter.com/features/text-to-donate (free trial, but you need to be a plus member to keep the feature)

    https://www.brevo.com/features/sms-marketing/



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    Diana Kelley
    Executive Director
    Healing Horse Touch Company
    https://HealingHorseTouch.com
    KennethMNUnited States
    Discover Healing, Connection, and Renewal through Horses.
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  • 4.  RE: Texting/emailing services

    Posted 04-26-2025 08:53 PM

    Hi there!

    I've used a service called "EZ Texting" which might fit your needs. It allows you to schedule mass texts without revealing recipients' information, like phone numbers. It's user-friendly for organizing messages for fosters, volunteers, and trial adoptions. For emails, "Mailchimp" is a solid option with scheduling and segmentation features to manage different groups. Google Voice is more for individual communications, but it can be handy for free texting. Hope this helps, and good luck with your endeavors! 😊



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    Rocio Gutierrez
    Librarian
    Rocio Gutierrez
    NY
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  • 5.  RE: Texting/emailing services

    Posted 04-28-2025 06:09 AM

    We use Textedly to check in with the people whose pets are on our crisis foster program waiting list.  It's kind of labor-intensive, but it's the only service I found which allows for sending text messages with templates AND allows the recipient to respond directly to the text message.

    Cole



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    Cole Thaler
    Manager, Pets in Crisis Support Program
    Atlanta Humane Society
    GA
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  • 6.  RE: Texting/emailing services

    Posted 28 days ago

    We started using the whatsapp api to send updates and chat with fosters who prefer messaging over email, and it’s been a game changer. Messages go straight to their phones, and response time has improved a lot. The setup took a little time, but once it was done, it was easy to train the team. It’s been especially useful for quick check-ins and sharing photos or reminders.



  • 7.  RE: Texting/emailing services

    Posted 28 days ago

    We use Textedly, which is definitely not perfect, but is the best thing we've found so far that (1) allows us to send large amounts of texts in one batch, with customized fields, and (2) allows people to respond directly to the text message.  We use it to stay in touch with the pet owners on our crisis foster program waiting list, and we check in with them via text message weekly to confirm they still need our help.  So it's important that they be able to reply to the text.  We're still looking for something that's less administratively clunky, though.


    Cole



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    Cole Thaler
    Manager, Pets in Crisis Support Program
    Atlanta Humane Society
    GA
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