GoodDogz.org: New Site and a New Attitude

A new online community supports pet owners and rescuers

By Beth Bates

I am so excited to announce that GoodDogz.org has launched a brand-new Website focused on engaging pet owners, adopters, and rescuers. We have moved from a static Website platform to a totally interactive one equipped with blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn Network, an online community, and more!

Our goal is to provide immediate support for pet adopters to help ensure that dogs that are adopted (or even bought) stay in their new home. Adopting a new four-legged friend can be a stressful experience. GoodDogz.org wants to ensure that pet owners have a place to go for information, support and answers. Our new community includes:

• Online Community: Our new NING community offers members a place to share questions/ideas through our discussion board, post events, share photos and videos, and more. Soon, rescue organizations will be able to have their own community within the GoodDogz.org community umbrella!
• Blog: We will be keeping our users informed on all of the latest animal-welfare news and organizational news through our blog. We hope that our community gets involved by commenting on blog posts, guest blogging, and more! We are open to all ideas and hope that everyone wants to get involved.
• LinkedIn Network: LinkedIn recently made their groups searchable and more dynamic. By joining our animal-welfare network, members can communicate with other animal-welfare professionals to share ideas, issues, job opportunities, etc. We encourage anyone concerned about animal welfare to join our network.
• Yahoo Group: We encourage all rescue organizations to join our Yahoo Group Listserv. Our group gives rescuers the opportunity to post messages about dogs in need, transportation needs, fundraisers, etc., to the rest of our rescue network.
• Volunteer Voices Blog: As we ramp up our volunteer program, our new volunteer blog will allow our team to post fun stories and volunteer opportunities, announce cool volunteer events, share tips on how to be a more effective, happier volunteer, and more.
• Twitter: I love to tweet about animal-welfare issues as well as social media and nonprofits. Feel free to follow me on Twitter for regular updates.
• Video: Our homepage will offer regular videos about dog training, breaking news, and organizational news. Check back often to see our new content.
• Monthly e-Newsletter: By signing up for our monthly newsletter, users will receive updates about what we're doing, helpful tips, success stories, etc.

These are just a few of our new online offerings. As the site and community grows, we will be adding even more engaging resources, an interactive area for "kidz," Webinars, and phone support. We can't wait to help the animal-welfare community with fun tools, on-demand help and resources, and a true sense of community.

Visit us at GoodDogz.org and let us know what you think!