“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