A dedicated Facebook page to boost dog adoption rates at the City of Stirling’s Animal Care Facility in Balcatta has been a howling success.
Affectionately known as Facebark, the social networking site has generated more than 800 ‘likes’ since its launch last November. The great news for canine friends is that its popularity continues to climb.
Council staff photograph newly available dogs each week and add them to a ‘Current Facebark Woofs Up for Adoption’ photo album. In just three months, the Facebark photo album has helped more than 30 dogs find new homes.
Staff and one dedicated volunteer keep Facebark running by answering online queries and providing updates about the dogs.
The web page allows new owners to share stories about their dogs, while other followers enjoy reading about the dogs that have had a second chance.
In January, Facebark followers were asked to help name a pug dog that was up for adoption. More than 60 suggestions, including Mr Pugglesworth and Doug the Pug, led to ‘Pugsley’ being chosen and the pup was adopted within days.
Council also added its first-ever Facebark video post to the webpage featuring Mishka the female Rottweiler. The 28-second video, in which an animal registration officer introduced Mishka to followers, prompted almost 200 views.
The City of Stirling remains the only local government in WA that has a Facebook page dedicated to finding new homes for impounded dogs.
To view the page, search for the Adopt-a-dog! Stirling Animal Care Facility on Facebook.
