How Facebook is helping Wagga's shelter animals find their new homes

Leanne Rea brushes a black cat off her lap as she gets up to introduce herself.

We’re standing in the reception area of Glenfield Road Animal Shelter on a sunny but bitterly cold winter’s day, and Leanne has offered to give me a tour of the facility.

She is among the many volunteers running the Wagga Poundies & Friends Facebook pages.

The pages have successfully helped re-home hundreds of cats and dogs over the years but aren’t affiliated with the shelter or the council. Instead, they are run by a small team of volunteers out of the goodness of their hearts.

Leanne explains a lady named Rose from New Zealand was the creator of the original Poundies page.

“She asked me one day if I’d like to be an admin, replying to messages and comments and it just went from there.”

Thousands of people engage with the volunteers every month.

Leanne works remotely with a team from all over. Pablo, from Sydney, writes bios for the animals and is “the master of the cats page” according to Leanne. Libby, from Queensland, also writes bios.

Wagga local Javorka does the “never-ending job of thanking people” who pledge on the animal’s posts.

“I usually try to get into the pound twice a week, but on the computer I spend at least six hours,” Leanne explains as she unlocks the door to the cat’s shed. “I can spend a whole day on there sometimes.”

The shed is full of light and strangely quiet. A few cats raise their heads upon our arrival, some trot towards the door of their enclosures mewing, but most continue to snooze.

A clipboard hanging off one of the enclosures catches my eye – ‘I’m adopted!’ it proclaims, and I look down to see a calico cat blinking at me sleepily.

“Oh lucky you!” Leanne exclaims, hoisting the cat out of its enclosure for a cuddle.

During her visits, Leanne helps the shelter staff with general care and cleaning duties but also takes videos and photos of the animals to post on the Facebook pages.

“We definitely are more successful with getting cats adopted,” she says as she scratches the feline behind the ears.

The simplicity of Facebook’s platform makes it easy for members of the public to pledge or commit to donate.

If a particular animal tugs at your heartstrings, you simply comment “I pledge $20” – any amount is appreciated.

The shelter staff alert Leanne and her team when that animal is adopted.

“I go back into the post, tag the people who’ve pledged and leave the shelter’s bank account details in the comments so they can fulfil their pledge.”

“In some cases we leave the adopter’s or the rescue’s details for a more direct way of getting the funds where they need to go,” Leanne says.

A secondary closed Facebook group, which boasts nearly 2000 members, was created in 2021 to connect the shelter to facilities and individuals specialising in animal rescue.

Pledged funds from the two Facebook pages and the closed group usually go towards vet bills, transportation costs, food and medication. They can also help cover the adoption fee, providing incentives for potential adopters.

“It costs $260 to adopt a cat, but if there are enough pledges, we can usually give half the adoption fee back to the new owner,“ Leanne explains.

Leanne says she wants more people to come forward and help.

“Just inbox us – even if you can only volunteer your time or pledge ten dollars, you can help.”

Just as I’m leaving the shelter, a couple in their mid-50s steps out of their car and strolls towards reception, arm in arm, beaming at each other.

Who Let the Dogs Out Wagga is an RSPCA-approved and registered rehoming organisation. Its Rehoming Organisation Number is R251000208 and this number only appears on its official Facebook pages. If you’re interested in helping out on the Facebook pages, click here. If you wish to adopt a pet, visit Glenfield Road Animal Shelter’s official page to see what animals are available here.