Saturday, August 31, 2013

“iFoster” to Help Find Homes for Animals via the Social Networks of the Fosters

Dearborn Animal Shelter Introduces “iFoster” to Help Find Homes for Animals
Innovative virtual campaign encourages individuals to assist on their own timeline
The Dearborn Animal Shelter in Michigan, continues to see a constant flow of homeless animals through its doors this year.  Traditional methods of finding homes for the adoptable animals are not keeping pace with the rate in which the Shelter needs to find adoptive homes for the pets in waiting.

To help increase the adoption success, a new program was recently launched to encourage supporters to help 24/7.  Elaine Greene, Executive Director, Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter commented “Many of the people looking for pets or supporting the Shelter are already frequent users of social media and the internet, so we thought this could be an easy step for them to help. Our team developed what we call iFoster, a virtual way for someone to help us promote an adoptable animal, using their own social media or email messages”.

The program is quite simple.  A supporter contacts the Shelter via email and indicates they are interested in becoming an iFoster.  A team member reaches out to them and sends a short email with a link to the photo and description of an adoptable pet.  Then, the supporter shares about that pet in their own social media, Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, email, anywhere they share virtual messages.

Greene continued, “This is a great way for someone to get involved that doesn’t have time during the day to volunteer at the Shelter or the ability to adopt or foster an animal in their home.  All we are asking is for them to use their keyboard to share about the adoptable pet”.  Once the pet is adopted, a team member contacts the supporter to share the good news and inquire if they want to take another animal to iFoster.  Supporters can do so as often or as little as they choose.

If you are interested in becoming an iFoster, email iFoster@DearbornAnimals.org.   To learn more about adoption, events, volunteering or donating online, the Dearborn Animal Shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, and is operated by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, a 501C3 nonprofit organization. You can also visit iFoster online

33 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. actually it is all done online. People from anywhere in the world can sponsor an animal. Hoping many of you share this idea with your own Shelters.

      Delete
  2. What a lovely job and also yours for taking time and writing! Lots of kisses and hope you pass a great Catturday on Michigan! We would love to visit it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much!! Thanks for the kisses and you can come to Michigan and see us ANY day!! We would love it!

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. I would love to visit Michigan again!!! But I think Florida got the best of me LOL!! You know since I live in FL:-) Maybe some day I'll move up north:-) lol

      Delete
  3. We agree sounds great. Hope you are better Caren. Have a super Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
  4. All sounds wonderful :) Granny is a volunteer cat-sitter and she loves it. Pawkisses for the weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a terrific idea! There is always a way to help. Wishing everyone great success!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's great....and I really LOVE their logo - very cute!!

    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  7. A good idea to help those who need homes
    Purrs

    ReplyDelete
  8. That sure sounds like a really really good idea. Wish we had something like that around here. Hope that your Mom is feeling better now Cody.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Every little bit helps and we hope this program will help to find forever homes for lots of animals.

    On another note, thank you for your kind words today on our blog regarding Mr. Jazz. We appreciate your love and support...

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great idea! We see this being done on Facebook on a nationwide basis to try to find homes for cats. Focusing it locally is a great idea. We hope it means lots of extra forever homes.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is brilliant! I hope you're feeling better too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great idea. Hope you are feeling better.
    Sue B

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a clever idea! We hope this helps more animals find their forever home.
    ...feel better Miss Caren!
    xo, Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much Katie!!! Just seeing your face makes Mom feel better! xoxo

      Delete
  14. What a great idea! The mom has friends that volunteer with the Dearborn Animal Shelter. She's going to check into this iFoster program. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. We love it when the internet helps the kitties and woofies! Poor Mom! My Human has been under the weather herself this week and she's slacked off SO MUCH on blogging and helping me visit. She's really just useless. Hope your Mom is feeling better now, Cody!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Spitty! My Mom feels so bad that your human isn't feeling well either and I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. Mom slacked off with blogging, visiting, etc too......what are we supposed to do? They are ruining our reputations!! Hoping YOUR Mom is feeling better too, mine is still so-so.......Love, Cody

      Delete
  16. What a great idea! It is kitten season in BC. The agencies in central BC is filled with lots and lots of them now! Thank goodness no more has showed up at the farm markets! One (Jo-Jo) is enough!
    Wes hopes Caren feels better soon. Sick humans is no good.
    Kisses
    Nellie

    ReplyDelete
  17. How long have they been doing this? How successful is it? I will share with the rescue I work with in VA. Thanks for info. Purrs and hugs, Janet & Kitties

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe it is brand spankin' new and I think the idea is amazing. If we all consistently use our social media networks, so many kitties can be adopted. Fostering doesn't have to be local either but obviously most people would want to try and help their local cats first. Feel free to write to them at the email address listed in the blog post for more information and "purrs and hugs" back at you!

      Delete
  18. I love this idea!!!! I wonder if they would let me iFoster from over here in Italy. This week I will contact them, and see! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. what an incredible SWEETHEART you are!!!! I have a feeling that they will! xoxoxo

      Delete