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Shelter credits part-time social-media specialist with faster adoptions; asks to convert role using existing veterinarian line
Summary
Davis County animal-shelter staff told commissioners that a part-time digital communications pilot increased reach and engagement, lowered average length-of-stay from 16.5 to 11.2 days in the most recent period, and that staff propose funding a full-time communications position by temporarily reallocating an existing veterinarian personnel line.
Davis County animal-shelter staff reported measurable adoption impacts from a part-time digital communications pilot and requested the commission convert the role into a funded position using an existing veterinarian personnel line.
Nick, who has held the 19-hour-per-week communications role during the trial, presented social metrics showing reach and engagement increases (reach and views more than doubled between January and mid-May when compared with the previous year's period) and said the shelter's average length-of-stay declined from 16.5 days in the prior-year period to 11.2 days during the recent five-month span. "It's not solely from socials," Nick said, acknowledging staff, volunteers and partners also contributed, but noted that a 50-animal sample showed a mean turnaround from posting to adoption of about nine days for animals actively promoted.
County staff proposed reassigning funding for the part-time digital communications specialist by using a current veterinarian line (budgeted at about $128,000) to backfill a shelter attendant position and to support the communications role temporarily. Staff said partner veterinarians and contracted medical coverage would continue; the veterinarian personnel decision would be revisited when the new building opens.
Commissioners expressed support and asked staff to return with any budgetary adjustments needed when the shelter moves forward. No formal vote was taken at the work session.
The presentation included examples of quick adoptions linked to posts and described partnerships with other shelters and cities to amplify outreach. Staff emphasized the role's effect on donations, fosters, volunteers and the public perception of shelter staff and officers.
