Our goal with this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of communication elements that Furkids, a no-kill animal shelter in Atlanta uses to communicate with donors, volunteers and general public. For website review, we used Website Effectiveness Scale. For assessing donor and volunteer communication, we used Survey Questionnaires.

1. FURKIDS Communication Audit Xavier Elbaz, Jonida Mince, Urvi Shah Travis Simpson, Peng Wang December 2, 2009

2. 6-8 million cats and dogs entered shelters in 2008 in USA. Of those half are euthanized.

3. Agenda Volunteers Donors Website

4. Volunteers Current Volunteers Satisfaction Rate-93% Potential Volunteers Satisfaction Rate-62%

5. Volunteers Appoint & train a volunteer coordinator. 90% of the potential volunteers surveyed are still interested in volunteering although 47% of them have not been contacted in the past 15 days. Benefit: Improve effectiveness of communication with volunteers

6. Volunteers Help the current volunteers network. Over 46% of the volunteers want to meet other animal lovers. Benefits: Increase volunteer satisfaction

7. Donors Send ‘Thank you’ letters & include Furkids’ achievements and short-term goals. “I made a one-time donation to Furkids for my husband's birthday, enough to run the shelter for a day. Would probably do it again if they asked me specifically.” Benefits: Donors will be solicited more often

8. Donors Find new donors by encouraging existing donors to advertise 50% know Furkidsbecause of friends. Benefits: New Donors will be recruited more easily and more efficiently.

9. Website Make the Website more user-friendly. Furkids’ homepage contains too much information.

11. (Picture of other website)

12. Website Benefit: It will make the website easy-to-navigate and more appealing.

13. Website Update the website frequently. “The website is often outdated regarding kitties available for adoption.” Benefits: It will keep the visitors informed about activities of Furkids.

14. A righteous man cares for the needs of animals 2009: Animals saved: 420 Animals adopted: 341 Help us bridge the gap FURKIDS About Cats Adopt Donate Volunteer Contact Us Resources Calendar Pet of the month Adopt Mr. Cuatro, a handsome flat-coated retriever who is looking for his home. He is 40lb Upcoming Events Cats Meow Marketplace Success Stories What happens to Roxanne, a cat from Gwinnett… News Action News Ajc.com Fox Atlanta Email Us Donate Login for volunteers

15. Timeline OP OP OP Volunteer Coordinator Redesign Donor Letters 2010 1st Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010 3rd Quarter Redesign Website Orientation Program Encourage donors to spread the word

17. Summary Volunteers Donors Website

18. "If you just communicate you can get by. But if you skillfully communicate, you can work miracles." - Jim Ron