A charitable organization in Munice, Indiana, is looking for animal shelter volunteers who are spending their days playing Pokémon Go.
As the popular game has resulted in many wandering the streets in search of animated creatures, the Munice Animal Shelter is hoping that the craze can attract some dog-lovers to take the animals for a walk as they play. The organization shared a post on Facebook that asked for animal shelter volunteers along with Pokémon Go imagery to garner attention for the cause -- "which has since racked up over 6,400 likes and 19,000 shares."
The organization decided to post the ad upon noticing how many people were playing the game on their phones -- giving shelter director Phil Peckinpaugh the idea to allow people to take eager dogs out for the day as they try and catch the Pokémon.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Charitable Gaming
- Using popular games such as Pokémon Go to attract volunteers for a cause.
- Digital Philanthropy
- Leveraging social media platforms like Facebook to promote charitable initiatives.
- Experiential Volunteering
- Offering volunteers the opportunity to engage in an enjoyable activity while making a positive impact.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Nonprofits can explore innovative ways to engage volunteers through gamification and digital platforms.
- Gaming Industry
- The gaming industry can collaborate with charitable organizations to create in-app features that support social causes.
- Animal Services
- Animal shelters can embrace new strategies, such as partnering with gaming communities, to attract volunteers and increase animal welfare efforts.
