BY SALLY NIX
In today’s tech-driven and interconnected world, Iredell County Animal Services has discovered the power of social media.
Platforms like Facebook go beyond simple photo sharing and status updates; they provide a lifeline for stray and abandoned animals and are vital in promoting volunteer engagement and recruitment efforts.
Tracy Sanchez, the dynamic force behind Iredell County Animal Services’ online presence, wears multiple hats as the volunteer coordinator, social media manager, and public outreach coordinator.
Leveraging her business administration and marketing background, Sanchez has seen firsthand the important role social media can play in saving animals’ lives.
“I am using my degree to assist animals through social media because our website or word-of-mouth is not always effective,” Sanchez explained. “I try to stay engaged in an effort to get these animals adopted while also educating the public.”
The key to utilizing social media to drive pet adoptions lies in creating compelling content.
Heartwarming photos, captivating stories, and videos allow Iredell County Animal Services to showcase each animal. This personalized approach surpasses traditional methods, offering a more dynamic experience.
While social media acts as a catalyst for generating community interest, it also serves as a prelude to the actual connection during in-person visits to the shelter. Sanchez emphasizes the importance of experiencing the shelter environment firsthand.
“Bringing people here to actually see it, touch it, hear it, and even smell the shelter creates an experience you can’t replace,” she said.
In addition to facilitating adoptions, social media plays a crucial role in swiftly disseminating information about volunteer opportunities and shelter programs. This enables individuals to discover and actively participate in meaningful initiatives, significantly improving the accessibility, speed, and outreach of volunteer recruitment efforts.
“Volunteering has changed immensely between the technology, the commitment, and the reason for volunteering,” Sanchez said. “I like to use the term ‘public in-reach’ because my goal at the end of the day is to bring people here.”
Sanchez sees social media as a way to effectively highlight diverse endeavors at the animal shelter, ranging from special programs to pressing needs. This active engagement offers the community numerous chances to participate, cultivating responsibility, raising awareness about animal welfare, promoting adoption, and providing essential assistance for the shelter’s operations. This collective effort significantly enhances the overall well-being of animals in the community.
“We have a beautiful campus and have a lot of people who come every Saturday to hang out at the shelter and help educate as well,” she said.
There are opportunities for people of all ages to get involved. The Books and Buddies program offers a unique opportunity for children to read to shelter animals, creating a win-win scenario. As kids engage in reading, they enhance their literacy skills and gain confidence. Simultaneously, the presence of the children provides comfort to the shelter animals, reducing stress and improving their well-being. This heart-warming program fosters empathy, encourages a love for animals, and is good for both young readers and their furry listeners.
Iredell County Animal Services’ mission is to promote responsible pet ownership, protect the public from diseased and dangerous animals, and to treat all citizens and animals fairly and compassionately.
Sanchez plays a vital role that effort – and she is passionate about the work.
“We love and care for these animals, and our goal is to get them out alive at the end of the day into the best homes we can,” she said.
Iredell County Animal Services is located at 430 Bristol Drive, Statesville. Hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon by appointment only and 12 noon to 5 p.m. open to the public. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. open to the public. For more information, call 704-878-5424 or visit
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in the February edition of “IFN Monthly.”