Fairfax County Animal Shelter Placement Coordinator
What is your strategy for social media?
There are two main points: We always keep it positive, upbeat. There isn’t the sad Sarah McLachlan song with pets behind cages. We want people to feel welcome and excited about coming to our shelter and not feel like they are going to be met with this great sadness. It is a very happy place. We like to think of it as the fun summer camp where animals stay before their forever home. Another important part is that the posts are current and relevant. The animals you see are currently in our care, so when you come into the shelter you can see that pet.
How long has the shelter been focusing on social media?
About three years ago we got things up and running.
Have you seen positive results since focusing on social media?
Resoundingly, yes. We have so many people volunteering or fostering. We have tons of people who come in because they see an animal on Facebook or, more commonly, they come in because a friend shared the animal on Facebook. Over half of adopters say they saw an animal on social media.
Have you seen a change in culture inside the shelter?
It has really helped our volunteers to not only care for the animal but also think, “What funny thing can I use to market this animal and show how great they are to everyone?” It gives the added layer that is fun and anyone can be involved in.
QUICK HITS
Neighborhood: Gaithersburg
Pets: One big rescue dog, Harper, and two cats, Rex and Isis
Pet you’d like to own: A tarantula
Favorite book about animals: Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat
(May 2016)
