December 31, 2019

Audience: Executive Leadership, Foster Caregivers, Public, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers

Organization: Two by Two Rescue
Investigator(s): Trudy Johnson
Grant Amount: $28,550.00
Project Type: Phase 1
Project Status: Research Complete

Project Summary

This research project from the Alabama-based rescue, Two by Two Rescue, aims to evaluate their program to recruit and retain foster caregivers. The five components to this program are recruitment, education, support, fulfillment, and evaluation. The organization gained detailed insight regarding foster caregiver satisfaction based on a series of surveys completed during 2018 and 2019. They achieved their goal of an 80% foster retention.

Objective(s)

The objective of the project was: to recruit, educate, support and evaluate their foster caregivers.

Methods

Two by Two made concerted efforts to recruit, support and equip foster caregivers and strengthen the community of foster caregivers through connection and education. Recruitment marketing included both social media and print, as well as partnerships with local businesses. Foster caregivers were guided to join Maddie's® Pet Assistant, Maddie's® University and provided with six live Facebook training sessions.

A private Foster Facebook page encouraged foster caregivers to share their experiences. Each new foster caregiver received a Foster Care Kit and branded foster gear. Foster caregiver surveys were conducted at the beginning (November 2018), middle (July 2019) and end of the project (November 2019).

Results

  • Recruited 95 new foster caregivers, retained 80% and saved 95 additional lives in 2019, as compared to recruiting 66 foster caregivers and retaining 63 in 2018
  • 284 active members in private Foster Facebook page, and 35,000 members in public page
  • The Maddie's Pet Assistant® app decreased frequency of need for communication with foster staff by providing more information to foster caregivers, increasing foster caregivers' sense of autonomy and freeing up staff time for outreach, recruitment and strategic planning
  • The November 2018 Foster Survey had 65 total respondents, with 73.3% reporting they strongly agreed with the statement, "Proud to work for the organization"; 92% felt appreciated; 85% indicated they received the support needed from their foster coordinator to adequately perform duties
  • July 2019 Foster Survey had 33 completed responses, with 43.8% indicating they "loved" the experience, and 50% found it to be an "overall good experience"
  • November 2018 Foster Survey had 107 respondents, with 47% indicating they "loved" the experience and 45% indicating "overall a good experience"

Conclusions

Two by Two Rescue acknowledges that growing the organization's foster caregiver base is the most efficient way to save more lives. Improved recruitment methods, various education tools, support from the rescue, sense of fulfillment, and evaluation all contributed to the success of meeting the foster caregiver retention rate goal of 80%, and will help shape the organization's expanding foster program. Notably, Maddie's® Pet Assistant and Maddie's® University helped equip foster caregivers to function independently without a great deal of staff intervention.