Staff Report

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Presentation, the saying goes, is everything. Apparently the notion is also true when it comes to increasing animals’ chances of being adopted.

Broward County Animal Care will participate in the Perfect Exposure Project — a special photography and marketing workshop — on Oct. 8 and 9. The workshop will be hosted by HeARTs Speak, a network of professional animal photographers, graphic artists and others who provide their time and professional expertise to help enhance the image of shelter pets nationwide.

The Perfect Exposure Project is designed to develop the creative and marketing skills of shelter staff and volunteers. The goal is to save more lives through the effective photographing and promotion of adoptable pets.

“Our staff and volunteers look forward to being part of this important workshop,” said Lisa Mendheim, Public Communications Specialist, Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Division. “Our volunteers work hard to capture pet photos that are priceless so they can be used to help market the pet to potential adopters. Through this workshop, we will now have an opportunity to focus on even more ways to capture the pet’s personality and charm so that an adopter instantly knows ‘that’s the pet for me!'” HeARTs Speak’s Founder and Executive Director, Lisa Prince Fishler states, “We are so proud of this program, particularly because of its holistic approach. Anyone who spends time in a shelter knows that this work can be physically and emotionally demanding. We create a space to bring fun, imagination, and creativity into a workday, and we see a tangible energy and excitement grow amongst the shelter staff and volunteers during the workshop. I think this helps them to reset and refresh. It is our hope that when we leave, they can approach their work with fresh ideas and new tools with which to help the animals!”

In addition to the hands-on training, HeARTs Speak will provide Broward County Animal Care and Adoption with photographic supplies. The Perfect Exposure Project is provided at no cost to the county.