BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – Julie Saraceno, a volunteer and social media influencer, is helping the Benton Franklin Humane Society by promoting shelter dogs online. Saraceno began her work with the Humane Society during the pandemic and has since gained a significant online following.
Saraceno was inspired by other volunteers posting pictures of shelter animals online. She now has more than 99,000 Instagram followers and uses her platform to post videos of the dogs to encourage adoptions.
“I got really lucky. And one of the dogs that I fell in love with, her name was Disney. She actually got the attention of Gerard Butler. So he commented on one of my videos saying ‘oh my gosh she looks exactly like the dog of mine that just passed away,'” Saraceno said.
Although Butler did not adopt Disney, his comment brought more attention to Saraceno’s profile. She noted that most of her followers are from the East Coast, and many asked how they could help. Saraceno then set up online wish lists for people to purchase treats and toys for the animals in the shelter.
“People love to buy fun things like and treats and things like that. And, you know, the Humane Society isn’t set up within their funding structure to buy fun things like that. So I have made a lot of different, shelter wish lists off of Amazon. And people go above and beyond with donating things,” she added.
Hannah Mora, the volunteer services coordinator for the Benton Franklin Humane Society, emphasized the importance of volunteers at the shelter. She explained that there are many ways for people to get involved.
“There’s a variety of things that they can do here at the shelter. They can help out in our cattery. They can help with the cleanings in the mornings with the feeding, the extra enrichment, socialization. They can help out in our kennels. They can walk, give the dogs extra walks. They can give them baths. They can sit in the just sit in the kennels with them,” Mora said.
The Benton Franklin Humane Society continues to rely on the support of volunteers and donors to provide care for the animals in their shelter.
If you wish to adopt a pet from Benton Franklin Humane Society or want to get involved as a foster of volunteer visit their website.
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