Adopt an animal, or a shelter

You can adopt animals, and even shelters!

Chris Ruben was my guest on PAWsitive Radio, all things pets! Chris talked about the organization he founded, and is now the CEO of, Adopt a Shelter.com. This is a great concept- people can shop online through the mall on adoptashelter.com website, and, they raise money for their favorite shelter at the same time.  Learn more about Adopt a Shelter at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2012/08/18/guest-chris-ruben



Some of the business strategies that adoptashelter.com have found successful:

- Creating conversations- word of mouth marketing is not only effective, it is essential for any business. As my friend and media coach Shawne Duperon says, “share good gossip!” Adoptashelter.com is a great example of creating conversations around the needs that shelters have in addition to financial support.

- Marketing that works- postcard campaigns, and postcards that go with the adoption kits in shelters, Facebook, a How It Works flyer, and asking organizations and shelters to share the link in their marketing.

- Collaboration- forming collaborations and alliances with other businesses and groups with similar values and mission (such as animal associations, doggie day cares, shelters, dog spas, etc.)

Think outside the box, and inside the box!

- Making the process easy, painless and focused is really important otherwise people would be less inclined to use the service.

Chris got his start in the pet industry in 1989, when he introduced dried Pig Ears, Bully Sticks and other all-natural meat-based chews and treats to the U.S. market. In subsequent years, Chris worked on such industry-leading brands as The Incredible Motor Mouse Cat Toy, Snoopy's Pet Beds, Collars and Leashes, Sticky Paws Cat Behavior Modification Products, Barnsdale Farms and Bullwrinkles Dog Treats. As Founder & CEO, Chris teamed up with three other pet industry and animal welfare veterans to develop and offer AdoptAShelter.com, a free and easy-to-use cash-rewards mall that helps animal charities raise money by shopping online. To date, over 750 shelters have registered with us and over 100 have received donation checks.


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2012/08/18/guest-chris-ruben

If you are a shelter staff or volunteer or have a favorite shelter in your community, make sure you visit www.adoptashelter.com to register your shelter.