My Shelter Dogs

[Dakota Spirit]

Well, since my two biggest passions are working with dogs and photography I often meld them together and take my camera on volunteer days at the Humane Society. As a result I've gotten quite the nice stash of dog photos that I just love sharing. I call them 'my' shelter dogs because I'm sure as any rescue worker can tell you, the dogs often steal your heart in an instant. So you always feel like you are caring for your very own animals instead of strays.

Just a few of my favorites, but I'm always happy to share more

[Durbkat]

Awww, I want the beagel. lol

[JeanninePC99]

Consider seeing if the shelter will use your photos on their web listings! It's amazes me that more shelters aren't tapping the gifted photographers among their volunteers to help them present their pups in the best light online.

I was in love with an amazing dog at our SPCA that was really cool looking in person, but his picture on petfinder is terrible. I doubt many people inquire about him as a result of his listing there.

[Durbkat]

I know, I saw a shih tzu on our local humane society's website and it looked like he just came in from outside because his legs were all dirty. They could have at least gave him a bath first. lol

[digits mama]

Look at those eyes. They are saying they want a home. My heart melts as I look at those pictures. ((Dakota)) Thanks for showing your shelter pups. They are beautiful indeed.

[Inga]

Consider seeing if the shelter will use your photos on their web listings! It's amazes me that more shelters aren't tapping the gifted photographers among their volunteers to help them present their pups in the best light online.

I was in love with an amazing dog at our SPCA that was really cool looking in person, but his picture on petfinder is terrible. I doubt many people inquire about him as a result of his listing there.

I agree, sometimes that picture calls out to someone that a quick snapshot of a dog looking out from behind bars doesn't. I love that you focus on the dogs eyes. The windows to their soul. Keep up the good work. Maybe you could make greeting, or postcards as fund raisers for the shelter.

[JeanninePC99]

Maybe you could make greeting, or postcards as fund raisers for the shelter.

What an AWESOME idea! I bet there's a dog lover who works for a printer out there who'd donate some materials...

[Inga]

Another thing we used to do is pet photo contests and family and pet photo fund raisers. You take the pictures. Keep it simple couple bales of hay as your prop and a sheet as your backdrop. Everything is profit that way. You would be surprised at how many people would want their photos taken especially with their newly adopted pet. Good Luck with putting your passions together. I believe God gives us these talents for a reason.

[Dakota Spirit]

Thanks for all the kind support

You've all given me a lot of good ideas. I never thought of asking to donate my pictures for the website before but its a really good idea especially because like some have mentioned, the pictures they do use are often horrible.

I've actaully been thinking of the post card/greeting card deal quite a bit lately. I've seen a couple of people do similar things or even go as far as making a calander and I've wondered if I could get enough interest to sell these sort of items for donations to the shelter.

Here is two more, probaly amoung my top ten favorites. Just let me know when I should stop posting. Like I said, I love sharing so I'll just keep doing it until people arn't interested

[digits mama]

::::raising my hand::::: Im interested!

[Dakota Spirit]

::::raising my hand::::: Im interested!

Thanks

Few more shots:

[digits mama]

isnt it funny that you can almost read their minds. You see so much emotion in those pics.

[Dakota Spirit]

-nods- Dogs have such expressive eyes and faces

[Dakota Spirit]

Here's a few more from yesterday's visit. This batch didn't turn out in very good quality but I figured some might like to see them anyway.

I actually got to walk that Great Dane - it was quite an experience as his strides were so big compared to mine. His carried the somewhat classic Great Dane name of Zeus.

Also, the little black Parson Russell mix (named Fluke) and the ACD (named Adelaide) are the two dogs I washed that evening. That's my bathing partner holding them.

[digits mama]

Love them love them....keep em coming!!!!! Love the white/Black scruffy looking one there.

[Inga]

You have got some seriously good looking dogs at your shelter. I see a face or two that I would be looking into if I were closer to you. You take lovely photos. I do hope you will be able to put them on cards or something to use for shelter fund raisers. It would be a great thing to make up posters for each of the dogs doing different activities and describing their personalities. Like a story board. I bet it would get some of them adopted that might not have been looked at otherwise. Just a thought. It worked for me when I was volunteering at our shelter. For those out there that don't think they will be able to find a pure breed dog at a shelter. Note the photos above.

[WhippetsOwnMe]

They are so beautiful- and I hope adopted

[Lorina]

Dakota, have you seen the website cafepress.com? On it, you can get prints, cards, stickers, calendars, tshirts, magnets, totes, mugs, etc. made with your photos or designs. The products is sold directly from their website - they do the printing and shipping. They have a base price, and you can set your own price above that, with the difference being your profit (or what you'd donate to a charity). It's not as cheap as getting things made in bulk would be, but there's no work beyond designing the products and promoting the URL for "your store." There is a discount if you buy your own items in bulk if you wanted to sell them in person yourself.

I've had some items made up for personal use (including a Beavis sticker for my car), and the Peke rescue I adopted Beav from uses Cafepress for tshirts and and calendars for fundraisers.

[SammyDog]

Seriously, you got really nice dogs at your shelter. Id take home that Dalmatian and the one snuggling with the yellow lab.

What kind of dog is that? Looks like part plott hound.

[Dakota Spirit]

Love them love them....keep em coming!!!!! Love the white/Black scruffy looking one there.

They have that guy listed as a Bearded Collie mix - He came in with his brother just a couple days ago, both pretty scruffy looking.

You have got some seriously good looking dogs at your shelter. I see a face or two that I would be looking into if I were closer to you. You take lovely photos. I do hope you will be able to put them on cards or something to use for shelter fund raisers. It would be a great thing to make up posters for each of the dogs doing different activities and describing their personalities. Like a story board. I bet it would get some of them adopted that might not have been looked at otherwise. Just a thought. It worked for me when I was volunteering at our shelter. For those out there that don't think they will be able to find a pure breed dog at a shelter. Note the photos above.

I'm hoping so too. I'm working on getting my official website up now and can hopefully go from there. Both my mom and I have been thinking up various designs for cards and things that could be possibilities + she keeps suggesting I look into the posters as well. Several times we have had a dog that could definitely do with a boost in publicity. Our shelter also has a little 'store' that sells some pet supplies - I was thinking of talking to my boss about selling there too for fundraising.

Lol, there are definitely purebreds here. We get a lot of owner surrenders and confiscations so not all the dogs are stray mixes by any stretch of the imagination. Heck, we just had a whole slew of Great Danes (including a litter of pups) and two gorgeous Saint Bernards. The Danes were sent to breed Rescue though. The Saints arn't ready to adopt yet (Court matters need to be settled I think, but they will probaly be of to breed rescue as well)

They are so beautiful- and I hope adopted

-nods- With any luck they will be

Dakota, have you seen the website cafepress.com? On it, you can get prints, cards, stickers, calendars, tshirts, magnets, totes, mugs, etc. made with your photos or designs. The products is sold directly from their website - they do the printing and shipping. They have a base price, and you can set your own price above that, with the difference being your profit (or what you'd donate to a charity). It's not as cheap as getting things made in bulk would be, but there's no work beyond designing the products and promoting the URL for "your store." There is a discount if you buy your own items in bulk if you wanted to sell them in person yourself.

I've had some items made up for personal use (including a Beavis sticker for my car), and the Peke rescue I adopted Beav from uses Cafepress for tshirts and and calendars for fundraisers.

I've heard of Cafepress but don't know a whole lot about it so your information is very much appreciated. It actually looks very appealing given that my biggest worry is how I am going to get all these things made. Just based on your sticker and the Peke store they look like good quality products as well. Thanks very much Lorina!

Seriously, you got really nice dogs at your shelter. Id take home that Dalmatian and the one snuggling with the yellow lab.

What kind of dog is that? Looks like part plott hound.

-nods- He was a really pretty Dal. The light chocolate brindle-ish dog? I believe he was actually an APBT mix.