Dearborn Animal Shelter Introduces 'iFoster' to Increase Adoptions

The Dearborn Animal Shelter continues to see a constant flow of homeless animals through its doors this year. Traditional methods of finding homes for the animals are not keeping pace with the shelter's intake rate.

To help increase adoptions, a new program was recently launched to encourage supporters to help year-round.

“Many of the people looking for pets or supporting the shelter are already frequent users of social media and the Internet, so we thought this could be an easy step for them to help. Our team developed what we call iFoster, a virtual way for someone to help us promote an adoptable animal, using their own social media or email messages," said Elaine Greene, executive director for the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

The program is simple. A supporter contacts the shelter via email and indicates they are interested in becoming an iFoster. A team member reaches out to them and sends a short email with a link to the photo and description of an adoptable pet. Then, the supporter shares about that pet in their own social media network.

“This is a great way for someone to get involved that doesn’t have time during the day to volunteer at the shelter or the ability to adopt or foster an animal in their home. All we are asking is for them to use their keyboard for good, to help share about the adoptable pet," Greene said.

Once the pet is adopted, a team member contacts the supporter to share the good news and asks if they want to take another animal to iFoster. Supporters can do so as often or as little as they choose.

To help launch iFoster publicly, the shelter is currently offering reduced adoption fees through Aug. 31. Adult cats are only $5 to adopt, kittens $25, adult dogs $50 and puppies/small dogs $150. All adoption fees include sterilization, microchip and age appropriate vaccinations.

If you are interested in joining iFoster, email iFoster@DearbornAnimals.org. To learn more about adoption, events, volunteering or donating online, the Dearborn Animal Shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Road. For more information, call 313-943-2697 and on the web at www.DearbornAnimals.org. You can follow the shelter on Facebook or Twitter.