Keys to a successful adoption event

Off-site adoption events can be a great way to generate interest in any animal at the event but they also get your team out in the community and are a great opportunity for marketing, fundraising, and networking. Whether you frequently have adoption events or if you’re brand new, this article will cover the top thingsContinue reading “Keys to a successful adoption event”

Returns – The 5 most common reasons and how to prevent them

Unfortunately, returns are an inevitable part of any rescue or shelter. However, there are steps we can take to prevent returns without introducing adoption barriers. In this article, we will cover the most common reasons people state for returns, how to prevent these things from causing returns, and how to identify the top reasons inContinue reading “Returns – The 5 most common reasons and how to prevent them”

Long Stay Dogs – How to get them adopted and prevent long stays

Despite all your efforts, sometimes there are dogs that seem stuck in your program. In this article we will go over how to identify reasons for long stay dogs, ways to help get those dogs adopted, and how to prevent long stays in the future. Long stay trends The first step to identifying trends inContinue reading “Long Stay Dogs – How to get them adopted and prevent long stays”

The ‘why’ and ‘how’ of post-adoption follow up

In this article we will cover why post-adoption follow up is necessary, what you should include in that communication, and how to make follow up part of your team’s daily tasks. Why you should follow up Get ahead of problems. Very rarely does someone bring a new animal home without any issues. Maybe they areContinue reading “The ‘why’ and ‘how’ of post-adoption follow up”

5 ways to recruit fosters

Now more than ever, there is a desperate need for foster homes. With adoption rates down, shelters are bursting at the seams. Let’s talk about ways to recruit fosters to your program. 1. Use your network As a rescue or a shelter, you have a larger network than you may realize. Working from your communityContinue reading “5 ways to recruit fosters”

Limiting factor series – Introduction

The official definition of a limiting factor is “the environmental factor that is of predominant importance in restricting the size of a population”. In terms of a shelter or rescue, it is the one thing that prevents you from your goal before anything else. Shelters and rescues often struggle to fill multiple areas like fundraisingContinue reading “Limiting factor series – Introduction”

Limiting factor series – Finances

Finances is the most common of the limiting factors but, identifying it as your most pressing issue to work on is the first step. The second step is determining how far you need to go to move past finances preventing you from reaching your goal. If your goal is to increase intake, how many animalsContinue reading “Limiting factor series – Finances”

Limiting factor series – Space

Space is a limiting factor that you may think is a permanent limitation. But, you don’t need space to house every animal, just enough space to house animals in need at the time they need that space.  Imagine you have space for 90 animals but you have the staff and finances for 10 more. FindingContinue reading “Limiting factor series – Space”

Limiting factor series – Staff

Staff limiting factors can feel difficult to determine. So let’s break it down.  Animal capacity per staff What types of staff / volunteers do you have? Some examples are:  Full time staff (experience ranging from 0-5) Part time staff (experience ranging from 0-5) Fosters Adult / puppy dog fosters Adult / kitten cat fosters  MedicalContinue reading “Limiting factor series – Staff”

Quick Guide to creating a foster program

Whether you are a brick and mortar shelter or are starting a foster-based rescue, this guide will walk you through how to get a foster program off the ground and things to keep in mind as you move forward. 1. Scaffolding The first step is to lay the groundwork for your program. Here are someContinue reading “Quick Guide to creating a foster program”

Helping animals in your community – keep them out of your shelter

A shelter or rescue’s primary role is to provide care and find suitable homes for animals with nowhere to go. While this effort often takes all hands on deck, dedicating resources to preventing animals from entering your care could save more lives in the end. Let’s go over some places to start. 1. The topContinue reading “Helping animals in your community – keep them out of your shelter”

Setting your adopters up for success

A nice family has found their newest addition and they are ready to go home with their new pup. This is the point where they are the most excited and eager, however, may not be the time they are able to listen (they just adopted a pup for Pete’s sake!). Returns can be devastating forContinue reading “Setting your adopters up for success”