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Because Dogster thinks the world of rescuers, this is a special place for to discuss shelters, rescue organizations, rescue strategies, issues, solutions, etc. and how we can all help in this critical endeavor. If you are interested in fostering for one of these great organizations or on your own, here's the place to seek friendly advice. We also welcome shelters and rescue organizations to post here about dogs looking for foster homes but we recommend that you put your location in the topic of your thread so those close by can find you!
Help us Make the Best Adoption/Rescue Site on the Web
When I was look ing to adopt a dog last fall the fist place I looked was dogster. It was frustating because some of the dogs had been on for over 2 years and I didn't think that they were still available. Also there was no region,age, options when looking. I am elated that you are looking to update this portion of Dogster. Keep up your marvelous work.
I'm not sure if this was said yet, but maybe a "What is the best pet for your lifestyle" search thing. People can put in how much time they will be able to exercise the dogs and so forth.
One of the thingsI like about Petfinder is that they seem to make an effort to make sure the rescue groups are real. I either know, volunteer for, or have adopted from most of the Petfinder rescue groups listed in my area, so I feel like other groups listed elsewhere must be (mostly) real too.
That gives me a high level of comfort that I am working with a legitimate rescue organization over a backyard breeder dumping excess stock, or some type of dog hoarder.
THAT is the key to being the best rescue site.
That being said, I don't visit the Petfinder community anymore. Too much carping and bleeding heart stuff, and NO fun like here at Dogster. People do horrible things to poor dogs and many of us know it. I just don't want it thrown in my face everyday, it's best left on Petfinder where it belongs.
Sure you want to bring that can of worms here? Keep Dogster FUN!!!
Just so you know where I am comming from, I work for the two rescues that provided my family members. I am not a full time (hard core) rescue person, but see the issues of rescue enough to share my opinion.
Yes we want to keep it sweet and humble as apple pie. No need to tell the background or anything about the animal. That may keep them from being adopted but it sure would make them come back. Sp yes, lets keep Dogster fun.
I like Petfinder's search-by-ZIP system. I hate it when some organizations never update, to be honest. Maybe it has to do with the ease of the system.
So, I guess you might make it really user-friendly, especially for people without computer experience. Set up templates. Maybe a general, pre-written profile for any dog, or cat, ready-to-use if they're in a hurry. (This is a dog that needs a good home. We have a really good pup ready to go home with you! Please give us a call if you have any questions or want to meet this or any of our animals!) Ideally, a busy worker could upload a picture -- I really like the Dogster upload -- and in the profile text box the editable default text would be ready, and they just hit Post, and it would come up with a very attractive, if limited profile. And then taking the profile down would have to be a one-click operation as well.
Oh no, the background of the dog on the site is crucial! It kills me to see blank profiles. Well.. how old is this dog? What does it like? What does he dislike? Is he good with cats, children, other dogs? Does he walk, or is he difficult? Where did he come from? Does he have a cute story? I WANT TO HEAR THE CUTE STORY. Does he have a heart-wrenching tale of woe? All of these things are what get dogs adopted off of the internet. A blank screen with a picture is not at all inviting. "I'd rather go to the pet store and not have to worry," is what they'll think.
This is a great idea, Dogster could be a fantastic source for rescues and adoption. I don't have any suggestions, my experience in rescue is very limited and I wouldn't presume, I'll leave that up to those that know what they're doing. My Lainie and her five sisters were all rescued and adopted through Dogster, from their first listing on Dogster to Dogster members volunteering to transport, foster, and ultimately adopt, and especially all the wonderful Dogsters who donated to help with the costs of transportation and vet fees. Several threads were started, finally came down to one marathon thread in Plus where everything ultimately played out. It was an amazing effort and one I am extremely proud to be a small part of. We had Dogsters running the girls' story on off-Dogster sites, making arrangements with no kill shelters if we had to go that route, setting up a bank account and organizing donations, great advise from Dogsters with rescue experience, Dogsters sending out pmails to other Dogsters looking for help, Dogsters organizing the transport, Dogsters volunteering for the transport, a lot of support from concerned Dogsters following the story, and especially the wonderful, kind Dogsters who donated to make it all possible. If all that could happen through a few threads, how much easier with a special section geared to assist with the process and have ready access to help.
1. TEMPLATE:
It would be nice if there was a seperate/different template for dogs that are up for adoption or in need of new homes. Something that makes it very obvious at first glance, that the dog on this dogster page isn't already owned and loved by someone else but is in need of a new loving home and is adoptable. Different colors or different borders- something very eye-catching that you can tell is very different than the normal dogster pages at quick-glance.
2. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS TEMPLATE:
Questions and information that prospective owners would like to know about the dog that is up for adoption. Everything from the basics such as breed, gender, age-range to more in-depth things like house-trained, leash-trained, basic commands, Good with children, other dogs, cats, etc. The more questions that are on the template, the better, because the person making the page for the dog is less-likely to forget to add any of this information on their own. Having it set up as multiple choice makes it easy for the person making the page to complete and when it's done, makes it easy for the person viewing it to read and understand. Also, after each of the questions, there could be a small box for the person making the page to add any comments. So for isntance on a question like: Leash Trained: Yes X No __ the person could add a comment like: Walks perfectly on a leash. Or Pulls Hard
3. SEARCHES: It would be nice if people could search for as many specifications as possible. So, for instance, if I'm in IL and am looking to adopt a Male Labrador Retriever who is good with children, cats, dogs and is over 8 years old, I could do so easily.
4. BREED INFORMATION: It would be nice if there was already breed information on all breeds inputed somewhere that would ALSO automatically pop up or be added to the adoption pages of dogs based on what breed (or mix of breeds) they are. SO many people are drawn to a certain dog because of it's story or its picture but know NOTHING about the breed at the time they contact someone about adopting the dog. It is unfortunate as this is a reason alot of dogs need to be adopted in the first place and sometimes why they become dogs in need over and over again- lack of knowlege of the owners. So, it would be GREAT if information about the dog could be on the dog's adoption page automatically once the person making the page inputs the dog's breed(s). This way, the information is there for the prospective owners to read without the person making the page having to input ALL that info themselves all the time. This, I think may be alot of work on dogster's part, but is REALLY important.
5. ADVERTISING and SLOGANS:
The main problem with Dogster is that everyone has heard of it, but it's basically known as a place for dog owners to shamelessly show off and write about their pets- sort of "the myspace for dogs" so to speak. VERY few people out there know that it's a place that also has listings for dogs that need homes, etc. Advertising about this is needed badly. Dogster- For the love of dog is the current "slogan" perhaps something like DOGSTER- for the love of all dogs- Introducing ADOPSTER! Now available on Dogster! Search for dogs who are up for adoption and in need of new loving homes here first! I think ADOPSTER is cute since you call this place Dogster. Or even, ADOPT'ER- Think she's cute? Hey- ADOPT 'ER
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