Animal shelters play a vital role in protecting and caring for animals in need. But with so many animals in need of homes, it can be tough to raise awareness about the animals they have available for adoption. One of the most effective ways for shelters to reach potential adopters is through social media.

Here are strategies that our own shelter uses to make the most of social media:

1) Utilize Instagram and Facebook: Social media can have a huge impact on your animal adoption rates. Instagram and Facebook are two of the most popular and effective social media platforms for animal shelters and rescue organizations. Both platforms allow shelters to share photos and videos. Share information about animals available for adoption, as well as updates about upcoming events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities.

2) Hashtags increase visibility: Hashtags are mostly associated with Twitter, but you can use them anywhere. They are an effective way to reach a wider audience. By including relevant hashtags such as #AdoptDontShop, #ForeverHomes, or #ShelterPets, you can increase a post’s visibility and reach others who may not be followers of your organization.

3) Use high-quality photos and videos: A picture tells a thousand words, but a great picture is worth even more than that. People engage more with content that is visually appealing. By sharing interesting photos and videos of your dogs and cats, you can showcase their personalities and help them stand out to potential adopters and fosters.

4) Share your success stories: Nothing is more inspiring and heartwarming than seeing a dog or cat that was once in a shelter find its forever home. Share the success stories of animals that have been adopted and the positive impact they have made on their new families. Be sure to add these happy stories to your newsletter, as well.

5) Leverage Influencers: Identify and collaborate with others in your community who have a large following of animal lovers. These people or organizations can help spread the word about your shelter and the animals available for adoption.

6) Have a schedule and be consistent: Do you have a marketing calendar that you follow? You should. It is important to be consistent when posting to social media. It’s better to post regularly than to make occasional bursts of posts.

There are opportunities for shelters to post on social media just about every day. There are national months and days dedicated to dogs and cats.

Image	Title	Link
	Regular Checkups	Access
	Need a little spice in your life?	Access
	Need a little spice in your life? (Handout)	Access
	Lost Pet Prevention Month	Access

Social media post ideas for animal shelters

Some examples of daily social media post ideas include:

• Adoption Spotlight: Highlight a cat or dog available for adoption, showcasing their personality and unique qualities.
• New forever homes: With permission, post photos of newly adopted cats and dogs with their new families. You can do this when they are ready to take home their new furry friend.
• Updates on animals: Keep followers up to date on the status of current animals, sick animals, and recovering animals.
• Volunteer Spotlight: Thank a volunteer and recognize their work and contributions.
• Daily tips: Share a tip or information on animal care, behavior, special information about a particular breed, or best practices for training.
• Behind the scenes: Share a bit about the shelter’s day-to-day operations and the hard work that goes into caring for the animals.
• Animal-themed holidays or events: Use holidays or events such as National Cat Day or World Animal Day as an opportunity to share special content and raise awareness about the shelter and the animals. You would be surprised how many animal-related days there are on the calendar.

Don’t forget to download our Pet Holiday Calendar List and Social Media Planner.

Donation appeals: It’s a given that shelter organizations always need money. However, appeals for specific needs, such as a wounded or sick animal, can often raise more funds.

Funny memes: A little humor sprinkled into your content is always welcome.

Upcoming events: Start posting about upcoming events and fundraisers early. You’ll want to post more frequent reminders as the event draws closer.

Post-event information: Share photos and information about a recent event. Highlight anything special, such as prizes awarded, special guests, or amounts raised.

Remember that social media is a two-way conversation. Engage with your followers and respond to their comments and messages. Creating a community around your shelter is one of the most important aspects of a successful social media strategy.