With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, are you looking for some last-minute marketing ideas to promote the dogs at your animal shelter or rescue organization? I did a bit of brainstorming, and here’s what I’ve come up with:

New Year’s Eve Photos

I find one of the best ways to promote shelter dogs is to take high-quality photos of them and to share those photos on social media.

Themed photo sessions are my favorite, because they are great for storytelling and they stand out while capturing the spirit of the season.

For a New Year’s Eve–themed photo session, the shelter dogs could pose in front of a “Happy New Year” backdrop, sporting formal attire such as a dog-appropriate bow tie or tie or another dog costume that fits the occasion.

New Year’s Resolutions

I’m a big fan of highlighting a dog’s unique personality. Whenever I take the shelter dogs’ photos, I find myself noticing their individual quirks and imagining how those traits would translate to everyday scenarios in the human world – think dog résumés or a dog’s New Year’s resolutions.

For New Year’s Eve, you could prepare social media graphics featuring a dog’s photo along with a few resolutions for the new year that are inspired by the dog’s personality.

For example, an active dog’s “resolution” may be to go for more walks or runs, while a senior dog may hope for more lazy afternoons on the couch, cuddling. A puppy may want to learn more, and a dog who loves to play fetch may plan on expanding that coveted tennis ball collection. And, of course, all of them will want to find their forever homes and pawfect humans.

To save a bit of time, I like creating templates, so I can simply switch out colors, photos, the name of the dog, and the information that’s specific to the featured dog without having to come up with a whole new design.

New Year’s Special

Holidays are often a good occasion for themed adoption specials. Just think of all the fun wordplays that could be integrated into a New Year’s adoption special… “Yappy New Year”… Bark in the New Year”… “Start off the New Year on the Right Paw”… Too corny? Share your suggestions in the comments below!

New Year’s Eve Tips

Responsible pet ownership plays a vital role in a shelter’s or rescue’s marketing efforts. Creating a blog or social media post with advice for dog owners on how to keep their furry family members safe on New Year’s Eve may not only help keep dogs safe at home and shelter kennels from filling up with strays but also foster a sense of community.

New Year’s Social Media Posts

Another way to connect with the community on social media could be to ask the shelter’s or rescue’s followers about their New Year’s resolutions or how they and their dogs plan on spending New Year’s Eve. This could not only generate engagement but may also raise a bit of awareness.

Got any other ideas you’d add to this list? Share them in the comments below!

Marketing