Cat Depot: Pet Adoption Goes Viral, Gains in Prestige

Since the release of ASPCA’s “Hover Cat” video, the animal rescue agency has set initiatives to encourage pet adoption “to go viral.” Cat Depot, a non-profit adoption agency in Florida, weighs in on the pet adoption benefits that social med

Sarasota, Florida (I-Newswire) August 16, 2012 - While many may discount YouTube, Facebook and Twitter content as simple entertainment, the ASPCA has recently found a way to help a good cause go viral. According to a recent article from The Boston Globe, the recent “Hover Cat” video has shown just how powerful cat adoption stories can be through the creative options of the Internet. The video, which features George—a cat adopted by Good Morning America anchorman, Dan Harris—takes a fun approach to how loveable cats can be, even for the working professional who may not feel they have time to care for a pet. Cat Depot applauds this approach, noting its own success of increasing adoptions through social media efforts.

In the article, ASPCA’s social media manager, Olivia Melikhov discusses how “Hover Cat” became the centerpiece of the organization’s campaign to “make pet adoption go viral.” Melikhov explains, “We’re hoping that this video will help spread the adoption message far and wide to make a difference in the lives of millions of homeless cats and dogs around the country.” Although the ASPCA has used Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to showcase hard-to-adopt cases, the non-profit group has since decided to take on a social media approach from every angle. The group has since found success in its campaign by developing a live stream of animal footage coupled with Twitter interaction, giving the organization and its a cause a “whole new audience.”

The staff at Cat Depot notes that social media has been essential to improving adoption rates in its local area. In a recent press statement the non-profit commented, “They say ‘the Internet was invented for kittens.’ This certainly is true when Cat Depot posts a cute cat or kitten photo on Facebook. An increase in ‘comments’ and ‘shares’ has helped drive cat adoption numbers to a new high. In this world of fast paced social media, an adorable video of kitten antics hits the mark every time.”

With its own Cat Depot YouTube channel, the organization shows that many may turn to social media for not just entertainment, but also to educate themselves about the process of pet adoption. A Cat Depot representative concludes, “One of the most popular videos is the virtual tour of Cat Depot, which allows viewers across the United States to ‘visit’ the adoption center.”

ABOUT:

Cat Depot is a 501c(3) non-profit, no-kill facility in Sarasota, Florida that aims to improve the lives of homeless cats by providing essential needs and finding loving pet owners for them to go home to. The persistence of the organization’s volunteers has resulted in the rescue of countless animals that would have otherwise been subjected to less desirable fates. In addition, Cat Depot works diligently to educate the public on the need to rescue animals and provides programs that teach the public about proper care and handling to prevent the need for future rescue.

To learn more, visit www.catdepot.org.