The Sacramento Independent Animal Rescuers (SIAR) in Auburn took in 35 dogs that where “re-rescued” from the Devore Animal Shelter as they could not cope with the more than 130 pups and grown dogs seized from Rainbow’s End Animal Sanctuary in Apple Valley on June 18 due to animal hoarding.
What does that have to do with Social Media?
SIAR’s is more lucky than most out there, their “Product” already has the build in cute factor. Who can resist puppies?
Looking at their Facebook page, as of Wednesday night 274 people are talking about them. The link the posted to the Fox40 report got shared 13 times and the picture of the pups that were just born before the transport to Auburn on Tuesday, July 9th got shared 39 times. As you can see in the Insights posted in the slideshow, since the news got out about SIAR rescuing a large number of dogs their Facebook statistics just skyrocket.
The Sacramento Independent Animal Rescuers already had a nice following, so the total likes “just” grew by about 4%, looking at the “People talking about this” with a growth of over 713% and the weekly reach rising by nearly 740% there is no questions that puppies work wonders for marketing, usually you can just reach that kind of exposure with a few facebook post when you use facebook advertising. Everyone is sharing and talking about the dogs, calling for volunteers and donations to help off-set the costs.
What can you learn from this case?!
Visiting the SIAR facilities, be assured they have not rescued these poor dogs out of marketing reasons. The love and passion you feel from Shana Laursen, her staff and volunteers is unbelievable, all the little things from blankets and beds for the dogs, clean ups happening constantly, three different location specialized for multiple needs, cooling and heating, and not to forget running areas for the dogs, this is not a pound or shelter this is heaven!
Next to “love what you do” it shows that dogs as well as cats reach people on a deeply emotional level. Your chances that folowers will like or comment on a post of yours, share it and mention you, are immensely higher than their interaction with your newest product post. This bigger interaction will help with your Edgerank which then will help you get more exposure for your other posts.
How do you make use of this knowledge?
Google Plussers have established #caterday, every Saturday you will find all kinds of kitty pictures celebrating Caterday most of them linked to it’s hashtag. Implement animal pictures of any kind relating the corespondent status to your product. Show a dog chewing a remote with the status “Ready for a new TV? Call Us Today!” Just try to think a little outside of the box.
Shelters and Rescues all over the states are using Social Media as a communication platform. You probably have at least seen one “Missing Dog” post?! Rescues also connect with other rescues, so in a situation like this where one shelter gets inundated with more animals they can handle, they have a Social Media following that can help.
SIAR’s Website: http://www.siarescuers.org
SIAR on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacramentoIndependentAnimalRescuers
