Pet Rescue Resources had the opportunity to interview Wolf Trap Rescue of Merrifield, Virginia and we have posted their insight below to help other Rescues in their efforts to be successful and help as many animals as possible.
About the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue :
" The Wolf Trap Animal Rescue is an established not-for-profit 501(c)(3) business that currently operates by remote location to facilitate operations for transport, foster, and adoption events to aid in the rescue of puppies and kittens whom are at risk of euthanasia by shelters in Mississippi and other states of the South. Since May 2015, Wolf Trap Animal Rescue has successfully adopted out over 4,600 dogs & puppies, and 700 cats & kittens, for a total of over 5,000 animals rescued from euthanasia. The rescue has an amazing network of volunteers and fosters that are dedicated to help save more lives through this rescue program. "
1. What are some of your most successful events for adoptions?
All of our adoption events are held at the Tysons Corner Petsmart due in large part to the fact that Petsmart Charities donates a certain amount to us for every adoption we process in their stores. This means that most of our adoption events look the same. That said, National Adoption Weekends always have a great turnout of potential adopters!
2. What are some of your most successful events for fundraising?
Corporate Puppy Therapy events! This is an experience we provide local organizations that is increasing in popularity. Research indicates that interacting with animals increases endorphins, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and provides an overall sense of well-being, leading to increased productivity, and a happier work environment. They make a donation to the rescue, and we bring puppies to their place of business for a predetermined amount of time.
3. Are there unconventional things your rescue/shelter does that you have found success in?
We've recently been given the opportunity to do puppy therapy events for traveling artists like Kacey Musgraves, Lizzo, and The Head and the Heart. We've got a few more of these events on the horizon, and they're very exciting for us as they increase awareness of our mission and the plight of shelters and rescues around the country.
4. Do you have an event coordinator? If so, is this a paid position?
We have a Puppy Therapy coordinator who graciously volunteers her time to set up our events. She works in conjunction with our Foster and Volunteer Coordinator and Adoption Coordinator.
5. Do you have a social media coordinator? If so, is this a paid position?
Our Adoption Coordinator runs our Instagram page as part of her paid position.
6. How do people find out about your pets most? Social Media? Your website? Walk ins?
Social media and our website. All of our adoptable animals are in private foster homes in the DC Metro area, so we don't have shelter for people to come visit the animals.
7. What do you wish you had more help with?
Transporting puppies to and from puppy therapy. Most of our fosters work and are unable to get their puppies to a central drop off/pick up location, and it's difficult to drive all over collecting puppies for these events. A 3 hour event can become a 10 hour day for a volunteer who has to make 8 or 10 stops to pick up puppies.
8. What time of year have the most influx of animals and/or the slowest adoption rates?
Our influx is pretty consistent because we pace it to be so, but the biggest need for fosters comes in the summer. It's puppy and kitten season in Mississippi (weather turns nice and owners leave the animals outside to fend for themselves...dogs and cats only gestate about 60 days, so can have several litters every year) and with our fosters traveling, moving kids in to college, and generally busy, it can be difficult to find enough people able to dedicate 2-3 weeks to caring for an animal or two.
9. How do you all educate the public?
Our website has a fair amount of information, and we occasionally have informational posts on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
10. What have you found as the best way to deal with an over population at your shelter?
We don't have a shelter.
11. How often do you post on social media and do you have strategies for it? A calendar, color theme, so on?
Generally daily. Our social media guru pulls posts from our fosters to highlight different available animals, and we share posts from those who tag us at events.
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