Four Paws Rescue adjusts to social media and internet to help animals

In the last six months, Four Paws Rescue has changed and updated its Facebook and website. As a result, the volunteers have witnessed the internet help bring pet owners and pets together.

Shannon Syrstad, the volunteer that manages one of the Facebook pages and webpage of the shelter, said she has completely revamped them in order to provide more clear and updated information about the shelter. Having an active Facebook, the shelter has seen, what Shannon calls, “Facebook miracles.”

“Someone will post a picture of a dog they found on Facebook,” Syrstad said. “And I will see it in my newsfeed, or on another Facebook page. Then, someone will email us saying they’ve lost their dog and I’m able to make the connection. I’ve made this connection probably twenty times this year.”

Syrstad talked about one German Sheppard in particular that went missing from Trenton. The owners posted a picture of their dog on the Four Paws Page -- Syrstad was then notified that someone had found a German Sheppard in Mink Creek, Idaho, 30 miles away. She said that, through the internet and social media, she was able to help the dog return to its family.

Lisa Shaw, the director and owner of Four Paws Rescue, said she has noticed the change the internet has made when people adopt an animal. Shaw said it’s not as common for people to come in and look for animals. She said  people usually see them on the webpage and then come in to look at a specific animal.

“More people come in after having looked at the pictures of the animals we have online,” Shaw said. “80 percent of the adoptions come from people that see them on the internet first.”