Animal shelters are extremely hard and often heartbreaking to run. Unfortunately, there are many animals who are abandoned or otherwise suffer on the streets. Shelters are a way to keep them fed and safe, but have their own issues, mostly with funding. If you run an animal shelter, then you know exactly what this means. So, you should try and get as much funding as possible. Here are a few ways you can promote your shelter and also get more donations.
Showcase Animals up For Adoption
Make a list of the animals you have for adoption, and take high-quality pictures of them. Then, make flyers and posters with details about the animal and contact information for adoption. Make these using the pet adoption flyer templates on PosterMyWall to make things easier for you.
Share this imagery on social media and print out flyers and posters to share around town as well. Make sure you highlight the plight of the animals and give a short description about their rescue story and personality.
Share Success Stories
You should highlight the work your shelter does and how it saves animals. Share short videos of rescuing and taking care of your animals. Then, showcase them on your marketing platforms. This will help people see the positive work you do, and be more likely to donate.
Make sure you share donation links and links to your website and other platforms in these posts. Encourage people to facilitate more of these success stories.
Be Transparent About Your Issues
When you ask for funds, you need to be clear why you need them. Give an example of the costs you incur each month, and share a breakdown on your social media pages. Then, show how difficult it is to meet these costs without assistance.
You can also highlight any medical issues or food shortages you may have in the shelter. Let audiences know how valuable their contributions are to helping you save more animals. Highlight the limitations you have with less donations in these appeals.
Host Fundraisers
Hold fundraiser events on a regular basis. Have small events where people can come in, check out your shelter, and donate. You can arrange food and refreshments, as well as a variety of activities to make these fundraisers fun.
Work with local businesses and volunteers to host these events, and ask for sponsorships as well for the best results.
Set up A Meet and Greet Event with The Animals
Few things work better than direct contact with the animals. So, see which animals in your shelter do best with new people, and set up meet and greets with them. Highlight these animals in your event pages, and give adoption and donation details.
Get people to sign up for this event through event pages on your website and social media platforms. Also encourage people to bring their friends and family, so that they can look into adoption as well as donation on the spot.
Create Engaging Content Around Pet Care
Running an animal shelter is not just about taking care of the animals, it’s also about educating the public. A great way to increase engagement with your audience and promote your shelter is by offering pet care tips. Share content related to pet grooming, training, and health care on your social media and website.
This establishes your shelter as a trustworthy resource and makes people more inclined to support you. Additionally, these posts can be shared widely, expanding your reach and increasing awareness about your shelter’s needs.
Reach out To Media
You need exposure and outreach to spread the word about your animal shelter. So, reach out to media outlets, both online and offline. Give them a brief description about what you do, and what your funding requirements are. Make a press packet you can send out to these outlets whenever you want, so that you can have it at hand.
When you have events or want to ask for donations, reach out to these outlets and have them come cover your shelter. You can also send them press releases to give them the information they need to share with their recipients.
Host an Animal Fashion Show
This is a fun and interactive idea for a donation and adoption event. Partner with local fashion school students or other volunteers to design outfits and accessories for the animals at your shelter. Then, present an online or physical fashion show, with dogs, cats, or other animals going down the runway.
This will encourage participation and will also be a fun way to involve the local community. An animal fashion show also has the added benefit of highlighting animals that are up for adoption.
Engage with Local Schools
Partnering with local schools is an excellent way to involve the younger generation in your shelter’s mission. You can host educational programs where students learn about animal welfare and the importance of adoption. Offer volunteer opportunities for students, and let them help with tasks like feeding, cleaning, or even promoting the shelter in their circles.
This builds a sense of community and fosters a culture of giving back from a young age. Plus, students may encourage their families to adopt or donate to your shelter. Schools can also host donation drives to collect food, toys, or bedding for the animals.
Set up An Animal Sponsorship Program
Many people may want to support your cause, but may not have the space or time to adopt pets. Give these people the opportunity to support these animals with a sponsorship program. Let people choose which animal they want to sponsor, and set a monthly donation up with them.
This will cover the food, shelter, veterinary and other costs incurred in the care of the animal. Keep sponsors updated about the health and milestones of their sponsored animal, and send them pictures regularly.
Partner with Corporations
Collaborate with businesses in the area to set up donation programs or have corporate events related to your shelter. You can even take a few animals over now and then for pet therapy in the workplace. This will be beneficial for both you and the company.
Let people know which animals are up for adoption and how they can donate on a personal level as well. This way, you will get access to a wide audience.
In conclusion, there are many fundraising and event ideas to help you run your animal shelter. These will promote your shelter, as well as help you get the donations you need to work on your noble cause.
