Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-25-2024 12:52 PM

    We are trying to encourage more people to foster animals. Please list the top 5 (or less) ways that your organization  has successfully used to promote fostering and get new volunteers onboarded. 


    #FosterPrograms

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    Michele Robinson
    President
    Reducing Animal Stress
    CA
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  • 2.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-26-2024 06:33 AM

    Hi Michele -

    I think giving people more reasons "why" fostering is a great idea helps (I'm not a shelter or rescue although volunteer for both).

    This is something I wrote and I'm posting it here for whoever wants to use the content to create either social media posts or an email or a flyer to hand out to promote fostering. Tweak the wording to your liking!

    The Top 10 Benefits of Having a Pet

    Having a pet can be highly beneficial for families in various ways. Pets can bring joy, companionship, and a sense of responsibility to family members. Here are some ways in which having a pet – or a foster pet – can help families:

    1. Emotional support: Pets, especially dogs and cats, are known for their ability to provide emotional support to their owners. Interacting with a pet can reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness. For families, this can create a positive and supportive environment, especially during challenging times.
    2. Companionship: Pets can be wonderful companions for both children and adults. They offer unconditional love and loyalty, which can be particularly comforting for family members who may feel isolated or lonely.
    3. Teaching responsibility: Taking care of a pet requires commitment and responsibility. Families can benefit from assigning age-appropriate tasks to children, such as feeding, grooming, and walking the pet. This fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability in children, helping them learn important life skills.
    4. Increased physical activity: Some pets, like dogs, require regular exercise, such as walking or playing fetch. Having a pet can encourage family members to engage in physical activities and spend more time outdoors, promoting a healthier lifestyle for everyone.
    5. Enhanced social skills: Pets can serve as a conversation starter and help shy or introverted family members become more social. Taking a dog for a walk, for example, can lead to interactions with other pet owners in the neighborhood.
    6. Stress reduction: Interacting with pets has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Having a pet in the home can create a calming atmosphere and help family members unwind after a busy day.
    7. Improved mood: The presence of a pet can boost mood and trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and affection. This can lead to a more positive and cheerful atmosphere at home.
    8. Enhanced family bonding: Taking care of a pet can be a shared responsibility that strengthens family bonds. The process of caring for a pet, training, and spending time together can create lasting memories and build stronger connections within the family.
    9. Teaching empathy and compassion: Caring for a pet can help children develop empathy and compassion for other living beings. Understanding the needs of their pets and showing kindness towards them can translate into better interpersonal skills with others.
    10. Security and protection: Some pets, like dogs, can provide a sense of security for the family. They may alert the family to potential dangers or intruders, providing an added layer of protection.


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    SL (Sindee Lee) Gillespie
    Founder
    Houston TX
    https://pawsitivelyspeaking.com/
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-26-2024 10:21 AM

    We added in a special feature of Borrow-A-Buddy. Where a foster/volunteer can take a dog out for a couple of hours to a night or a weekend. We see these animals getting adopted quicker and decompress faster. We get great pictures and information about the dog. Our Fosters love it!



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    Terri Hooks
    LifeSaving Initiatives Manager
    SPCA of Texas
    TX
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-26-2024 11:09 AM

    Thank you Terri,

    Love your idea!  We have already suggested this to the shelter.  Just getting them out for a short while really makes a difference.   

    I am wondering if anyone has had success with "Foster parties?"  Basically, getting a lot of foster dogs and potential fosters together in a location and doing "matchmaking?"  The fosters can go home with the new foster family that day.  Please comment if you have done this.  Thank you!



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    Michele Robinson
    President
    Reducing Animal Stress
    CA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-26-2024 11:13 AM

    We are getting ready to do our Palentines day! This is where we have designated areas for the foster pups that need less noise and commotion. We invite all our fosters and promote the day inviting the public and we make it a fun, great day!



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    Terri Hooks
    LifeSaving Initiatives Manager
    SPCA of Texas
    TX
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-29-2024 09:40 AM

    Hi, Michele:

    Animal Welfare League of Arlington is doing this. They talked about it in this short presentation during the free online conference Camp Maddie: Foster Edition, which is available now on demand.

    Erika



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    Erika Shaffer
    Maddie's Fund
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-26-2024 11:31 AM

    Hi Terri -

    Is your program a part of Mutual Rescue's Doggy Day Out? If not, and you're interested in more promotion, they have an option to get listed on their website too:

    https://mutualrescue.org/programs/doggy-day-out/

    I'm not affiliated with them in any way - I just happen to love everything they do...lol

    My best,

    SL



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    SL (Sindee Lee) Gillespie
    Founder
    Houston TX
    https://pawsitivelyspeaking.com/
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-27-2024 08:55 AM

    No, it's not. I appreciate you sending this so much!!



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    Terri Hooks
    LifeSaving Initiatives Manager
    SPCA of Texas
    TX
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Top 5 Ways to Promote Fostering

    Posted 01-29-2024 08:41 AM

    Hi Michele, 

    These are the ways we have gotten  most of our fosters, 

    Social media- posting specific animals/cases that need fosters. It also helps to frequently post requests for fosters. People won't know your rescue needs fosters unless you are asking for them. 

    Events- At all of our adoption events we always recommend fostering to people that are hesitant to adopt or say they can't adopt because of the long term cost of having a pet. Most of these people are amazing fosters they just can't commit to adopting. 

    Making fostering a fun experience- By making fostering fun and easy for your foster parents they are more likely to recommend their friends sign up to foster for your rescue. 

    Posting in local facebook groups- Many people don't know fostering exists so by posting in local FB groups a decent amount of people become interested in fostering. I have also heard that posting on neighborhood apps such as Nextdoor has helped other rescues get fosters but my rescue specifically hasn't tried it yet. 

    Lastly VolunteerMatch- It is an online Volunteer Database, through volunteer match within 15 days I got 3 amazing fosters who have been fostering for my rescue consistently. 

    I hope this helps! 



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    Abigail Batic
    Outreach Coordinator
    The Milk Drunk Foundation
    FL
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    Original Message


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