Happy Vibes, Gratitude, Technology, Fundraising, Foster Dogs, Rescue Advocacy, Insta-Famous Dogs, & More. This is Feel-Good Foster Club.
Exactly two weeks ago, the team at Foster Dogs Inc threw a virtual feel-good fundraiser event, which was a technological feat of the times: “Feel-Good Foster Club.” Due to COVID-19, shelters have had to close their doors, and adoption events have been on hold. While some dogs are getting adopted quickly through online posts, others are sitting patiently, waiting for an adopter with little-to-no interest. The coronavirus pandemic has encouraged Foster Dogs Inc to push even harder to create new and exciting ways to build foster and adoption enthusiasm and involvement.
We designed the Feel-Good Foster Club to promote adoptable dogs, bring happy vibes, show gratitude for frontline workers, raise funds, and flex our technological muscles during a time when so many people and animals could use a boost.
Over the course of two hours on a Sunday afternoon, we streamed (from Zoom, to Facebook Live) twelve adoptable dogs from eleven different rescue groups all over the country, live from their living rooms and backyards (or rooftop pool, in one case!). This is what fostering is all about: showing off a wonderful dog comfortably playing and relaxing at home, giving adopters the unique chance to meet and learn more about the dog's personality and quirks that wouldn’t otherwise be possible in a shelter! Particularly important is the much needed additional exposure for some special needs pups and long time shelter residents.
Thanks to our donors, volunteers, and to our sponsor BarkBox, our Feel-Good Foster Club event raised over $2,100 for Foster Dogs Inc and for the Urban Resource Institute [URI], helping homeless people and animals. URI provides services to victims of domestic violence; their PALS program allows for a safe shelter where pets are welcome.
Did You Know?
68% of families have a pet
48% of victims stay because they don’t want to leave their pet behind.
3% of domestic violence shelters provide co-sheltering for survivors and their pets.
At URI:
178 families and 249 pets have been sheltered to date.
172 pet-ready apartments with 472 beds available.
Viewers who donated were able to see their notes of gratitude displayed in real time, including messages to recent grads, doctors, nurses, teachers, parents, and more. The goal of this event was to help viewers feel relaxed and happy, while watching foster dogs in their comfy natural habitat: a loving home!
We were joined by four Instagram-famous dogs and their parents: @frankjrjrsays (11K followers), Foster Dogs 2018 senior-dog alum @chewlialouisdreyfus (6K Followers), Fospice advocates @thekardoggians (160K followers), and @sometimescarl (109K followers). All of these dogs are adopted, and actively advocate for fostering and rescue!
Our volunteers were able to accomplish tech hurdles, such as, “how do we display a live video on Facebook, while also utilizing Zoom capabilities,” “how do we include a dozen dogs around the country, within the 2-hour window,” “how do we keep people engaged during the broadcast,” “how do visitors donate to send a note, or to view their note,” and more. The stage direction was incredible, and all completely volunteer-run and produced. With support from team members Ana Laura Pulido, Stacey Axelrod @nycpetphotographer, Milla Chappell @realhappydogs, Molly Sugarman, and Alexandra Loh, we had a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience.
View the entire 2-hour event here:
Says our Executive Director and Founder Sarah Brasky, "The world is a scary place right now, so we wanted to create a safe relaxing space where we can connect with doctors, nurses, teachers, mental health professionals, social workers, parents, and anyone who could use a little break. Dogs in foster care are some of the happiest animals on earth, having left the shelter and now experiencing life surrounded by love. Why not let these pups connect with those who could use a smile? We created Feel-Good Foster Club to show off the joy and beauty of fostering, and bring joy to some people who could use it."
Meet the dogs in attendance at “Feel-Good Foster Club”:
Daniel (See Spot Rescued, Jersey City NJ)
Fiona (Brookhaven Animal Shelter, Manhattan NY)
Flynn (Houston CARES Animal Rescue, Houston TX)
Uno (Louie's Legacy, Bronx NY)
ZeeZee (Love Paws Rescue, Silver Spring MD)
Cedric (Waggytail, Brooklyn NY)
Nia (Rescue Me Georgia, Atlanta GA)
Harpo Barx (Waggytail, Jersey City NJ) [ADOPTED]
Medic Wayne (Hearts and Bones Rescue, Manhattan NY) [ADOPTED]
Regina George (BarrkLI, Manhattan NY) [ADOPTED]
Sparta (Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, Hopkinton MA) [ADOPTED]
Wasabi (Rescue City, Brooklyn NY) [ADOPTED]
Want to adopt any of the dogs seen here? Email info [at] fosterdogsnyc.com and include this link, to connect with the rescue group!
Foster Dogs Inc.'s team is pushing harder than ever before, to create new and exciting ways to build foster and adoption enthusiasm and involvement, in more ways than fostering a dog at this time (while demand is incredibly high). Support our fundraising efforts, to ensure that dogs continue finding homes and people are supported throughout the experience.
