The Facebook Pet Rescue Phenomenon
My Story
About a year and a half ago, someone on my friends list shared a status update, begging for help for a dog in need. Since I am a huge dog lover and have two dogs of my own, they tagged me in a photo to see if I could help. I did a transport for one lonely, homeless dog, taking them from a bad situation to a foster home and a new life. That connected me to one rescue group after another, and I began signing up to volunteer. At the current time, I am a volunteer with six rescue groups, three humane societies, and have done almost 50 rescue transports. The costs of fuel and other expenses for these transports are paid for by the individual volunteers, so it hasn't been easy. The friendships I've made with both people and animals have far outweighed the financial burdens.
Uniting Shelters, Rescue Groups and People
Facebook allows shelters and humane societies to connect with rescue groups and individual volunteers. Thousands of pets are cross-posted each day, gaining them exposure and helping them to find foster and furever homes. Many a dog and cat have been saved after being noticed on Facebook by someone in a position to help. Entire rescue missions have been organized via Facebook from several states away. Foster homes and furever homes are found on Facebook, volunteers step up to run transports, and logistics are organized on users' walls and status updates.
Raising Funds
In addition to raising awareness, Facebook is a great venue in which to raise funds. Patrick, the starved pit bull, was plastered all over Facebook after he was found, and thousands of dollars in donations of money and goodies came pouring in. Chip-Ins are set up by legitimate rescuers and rescue groups. Many people are only able to donate a few dollars, but these seemingly small donations add up to something huge, and have meant the difference between life and death for many animals.
How You Can Help
Look up rescue groups and local humane societies in your area, and add them to your friends list. Help by cross-posting dogs and cats to get the word out about them. Donate to a ChipIn. Use apps like "Save a Dog" and "Pet Pardons" to help raise awareness of these lonely pets. "Save a Dog" also allows you to virtually volunteer and raise money for food for homeless pets. You can help from the comfort of your desk chair. And if you have the ability, volunteer in person at a local shelter, or foster a homeless cat or dog while they wait for their furever home.
Seeing hurting animals is hard, and something that many people don't think they are strong enough for. However, you are stronger than you think - don't turn away, save a stray!
More from this contributor:
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Published by Maggie OLeary - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Maggie O Leary served on active-duty in the United States Military from 1997 to 2010, before joining the Reserves. She is currently attending college full-time, pursuing a Bachelor s Degree in History. In ad... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentWonderful article! I've noticed the prominence of these groups on Facebook. My next dog is definitely going to be a rescue.
Great article! Good for you on helping! I do lots of crossposting as well - both on my wall and on a facebook page I've dedicated to small animals. My kids also rescue hamsters in need.
Wonderful article! I spend a lot of time cross posting rescue groups on Facebook. Hopefully our efforts help some dog find a furever home!
Thank you both! And Michy, I started a new ChipIn just this morning - we are out of funds and can't do any more rescues until something good happens. If you could share it, that would be FABULOUS. It's http://charliebobarlie.chipin.com/funding-for-pet-rescue-missions
And thanks again both of you, for commenting and sharing!
This is so great and Patrick is a really good example of the difference facebook made for him. I hope this only keeps getting bigger. Homeless pets need all the help they can get.
This is wonderful! I love when people use social media for making the world a more connected, better place, for people and animals! I'm a big animal-lover!
Are you still doing donations on that one thingy? If so, shoot me a link and I'll promote it on FB for you and donate again too! If not, you have my support for helping animals and promoting this content already! Thanks for sharing!