A pair of puppy pals has been adopted just hours before they were due to be put down – and it's all thanks to the power of social media.
North Georgia animal rescue group Angel Rescue posted a photo to Facebook of the canine duo Kala and Keira embracing, on the day there were to be euthanised, attached with a written plea for their rescue.
"We're so scared in here," the caption read. "The people working in the shelters see how scared we are but just told each other that today is our deadline.
"We have to have someone rescue us or we will be 'next'."
Little more than two hours later, the post had been 'liked' more than 25,000 times and the puppies were adopted and on their way to the vet for examinations.
Their story has emerged a week after Twitter led to the rescue of the abandoned 'cemetery cat' in Auckland and the SPCA says social media is now an "invaluable" tool for rehoming animals.
"Even if someone is not looking to rescue an animal themselves, they can still help by sharing the photos and stories of the animals looking for homes," SPCA Auckland chief executive Andrea Midgen says.
As the SPCA is a charity, social media is a cost effective way of getting animals photos and stories out there and letting people see the animals available, she says.
However, Ms Midgen says potential adopters should still visit their local SPCA to ensure they are the right family for the animal before taking it home.
Auckland animal rescue group Lonely Miaow says outlets such as Twitter and Facebook are "definitely" boosting adoptions.
#cemeterycat became the top trending topic on Twitter after rocker Ryan Adams - who was in New Zealand for two shows - tweeted a photo of a black and white kitten abandoned in the Symonds St cemetery last Monday night, appealing for someone to help it.
Following a short Twitter exchange with Adams, Rob Isaac, who lives nearby, and Lonely Miaow volunteers managed to capture the stray cat on Wednesday.
Marketing volunteer Lisa Lu said Twitter had been a valuable source in rescuing the cat, now named 'Wednesday'.
"Facebook is quite valuable to us too. For cats that are quite difficult to adopt out we ask people to share the photo and we do get them adopted out," she says.
It is also helping to raise crucial funds for vet treatment.
Ms Lu gives the example of Clarence, a cat which needed to have 12 teeth removed, at a cost of around $500. Lonely Miaow predicted it would take around a month to raise the money.
A Facebook post pointing to a GiveaLittle page saw all $500 raised in just one day.
"I was completely amazed because it was one of our first Facebook posts," she said.
Both Lonely Miaow and local SPCA groups can be found on Facebook.
3 News
