Animal Shelters and rescues attend adoption events as exhibitors to help raise mission awareness and increase adoptions. Events range from a small open house to a larger event with multiple animal shelters and rescues. Deciding to attend an event comes with risks. Plan in advance to minimize these risks. Train your volunteer team on how their actions can help protect your animal shelter or rescue. Here are five things your animal shelter needs to know before attending a special event:
- Does the event align with your mission? Look at the mission or goal of the event. Does their goal align with your mission? If the two do not align, the event is not in your best interest. Attending an event that does not promote your mission, leaves you open to negative publicity or loss of a positive reputation.
- Read the contract. Most event organizers require you to comply with rules and an agreement to become an exhibitor. Make sure you read the contract or agreement to determine if you can meet these requirements. Common event guidelines include set-up and tear down times, proof of insurance, vaccine requirements for animals, and expectations for how you present yourself during the event. If you are unable to meet the requirements outlined in the agreement do not register as an exhibitor. You risk a negative impact to your animal shelter or rescue if you attend and do not follow the guidelines.
- What can go wrong? Prior to attending an event, make a list of all the potential risks. Risks include animals getting loose, volunteers not showing, animals injuring attendees or volunteers. Once you have a list of possibilities, create a proactive plan that identifies how you will minimize the potential for these. For example, one significant risk is an animal jumping on an attendee and scratching that individual. A plan to keep that from occurring includes making sure volunteers are assisting the attendees while talking to, petting and playing with the animals.
- Choose the right animals. Choosing the right animals to take is a key in minimizing the risk of injury to attendees. Your goal is to increase adoptions by attending the event. Animals that have just recently entered your care may not be a good fit. Choose animals that can handle social situations and interaction with strangers. Animals that are skittish or easily scared have unpredictable behaviors and should remain at the shelter or in their foster home during events.
- Choose the right volunteer team. Volunteers who attend the event need to be knowledgeable of your animal shelter or rescue, your mission and how to present themselves during an event. If you choose to send new volunteers, make sure you pair them with an experienced volunteer that understands adoption event logistics and your expectations.
Adoption and special events are a powerful way to educate and involve your community with your shelter. Follow these steps before attending an event to create a positive experience for all involved.