It’s been a while since I last published a post. That’s because I’ve been working hard on finishing school. As you may remember, this blog actually started out as a course project back in 2018 and then, slowly but surely, turned into what has become Shelter Stories.

Earlier this year, I finished the Digital Media Content Creation certificate program at UCSD Extension. And yesterday – drumroll, please – was the last day of the last required course for the Digital Marketing certificate program I am enrolled in. Cross your fingers (and paws) that I’ll get a good grade for my final assignment and pass the course. 😊

So, now you’re caught up on my recent school endeavors, but what does all of this mean for Shelter Stories? Well, you may have noticed that the site is sporting a brand-new look and even has a logo, which pays tribute to former shelter resident Glen (now Brazen) – the canine who motivated me to tell shelter stories in the first place.

While I want to continue telling stories about the shelter dogs, I would also like to share some of the things I’ve learned during the course of my content creation and marketing studies.

Most animal shelters or rescue organizations don’t have the budget to hire a marketer, let alone employ the services of a marketing agency. Yet marketing efforts are essential for shelter pets to find their forever homes.

My goal is to start a conversation about marketing shelter dogs and to exchange ideas with others in the animal shelter and rescue community as well as with marketers and creatives.

I plan on sharing educational resources, writing about my own experiences with marketing, and listing tools we can use to promote shelter dogs more efficiently and effectively.

As always, I’d love to read your feedback. If you have any ideas, suggestions, recommendations, or tips and tricks for marketing shelter dogs, feel free to share them in the comments.

PS: I talked my husband into taking Christmas pictures with me and our dogs, Tucker and Gunner:

Marketing Shelter Stories