March 25, 2025
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director

Over the past few weeks, my husband Tom and I were keeping a lookout for a new cat to join our family, hoping that the “cat distribution system” would send one our way. Sadly, we lost two of our cats last year, Bastian and Luna, leaving Grady as the only inside cat (besides Phoebe, who keeps almost entirely to herself).

Grady clearly needed a playmate, so we adopted Strider from the SPCA Albrecht Center a few months ago. They get along great, but Strider—being much younger—has lots more energy than ten year old Grady. We thought finding a cat closer to Strider’s age would give him a better energy outlet and give Grady a break from his antics.

Working in an animal shelter, and with kitten season just beginning, I didn’t think finding a cat would be difficult at all. But none of the ones I’d met so far seemed like the right fit. But that changed when I scrolled through Facebook one night and saw an adorable, petite, buff-colored, pink-nosed feline face with friendly eyes staring back at me.

The post read: “Some cute cats at Petsense by Tractor Supply on Mike Padgett Hwy!! Please someone get these sweet cats!!!” Included were photos of four cats available for adoption through Augusta Animal Services.

They were all beautiful cats, but the photo of the buff-colored female tabby stood out to me. Other pictures showed her being vocal and playful. She seemed like a great match for Strider, so I showed Tom, and we headed to Augusta to meet her.

Her shelter name was Goldie, and she was just as sweet and playful as I’d hoped. After filling out the adoption application, paying the fee, and bringing her home, we renamed her Buffy—and she already seems like the perfect addition to our cat family.

But this adoption never would have happened if someone hadn’t shared her photo on Facebook. It made me wonder—how much does sharing social media posts actually help pets find homes?

As it turns out, social media plays a huge role in helping animals get adopted. A survey by the ASPCA found that 86% of animal shelter professionals reported increased awareness about their organizations due to social media, and many have seen a direct impact on adoption rates.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow animal shelters and rescues to reach thousands of potential adopters instantly. Engaging posts featuring compelling photos, videos, and stories help connect animals with the right people—just like we found Buffy.

Even casual social media users can make a difference by sharing posts about adoptable pets. A single share can put an animal in front of the right person, sometimes leading to an adoption within hours.

So if you ever see a pet in need of a home on social media—hit that share button. You never know who might be looking for their next furry family member, and your post might be the reason they find them.

Buffy is proof that sometimes, a simple share can change a life.

If you’re not already involved in the SPCA Albrecht Center’s lifesaving mission, please join us! Visit LetLoveLive.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok @spcaalbrechtcenter or meet us in person at 199 Willow Run Rd, in Aiken SC.

 

Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and several beloved cats.