Adoptions at the Macon animal shelter are up 166 percent since 2008. Central Georgia Cares, a non-profit, formed to market the facility is crediting the success to a social media marketing campaign.

It includes a former stray dog named “AC Pup” who serves as a mascot for animal control. He has 4,000 friends on Facebook and a weekly column in the local paper. Patti Jones with Central Georgia Cares says in the last month four donors came forward to pay for 40 adoptions.

“When I started the campaign to overhaul the perception of animal control, I knew it had to be done in a happy, joyful way that would endear the public in a very quick way,” Jones said.

Jones said there is still a lot of work to do. In 2010 Macon animal control euthanized nearly 4,000 cats and dogs.

Tags: Macon, dogs, cats, animal shelter, animal adoptions, social media