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Where Community Meets Rescue
By Nancy Schuessler
Lindsey Faruolo still remembers the Facebook post that changed her life. Her family dog of 11 years had passed away and her grief was overwhelming. “I didn’t think I could open my heart to another dog anytime soon,” says Lindsey. Then she saw a “Foster Needed” post for Trinity, who was in a high-kill shelter and at risk of being euthanized. “She was so beautiful and the thought of her not getting a chance to live the life she deserved crushed me,” says Lindsey. She filled out a foster application and is now on her seventh foster.
At Southwest Oasis Labrador Rescue (SOLR), every dog we save has a story, and so many of those stories begin with a single post on Facebook. It is one of our most powerful tools — a lifeline that connects dogs in need with the people who can save them.
It begins with Michele Pleasants, our Facebook coordinator. Michele started with SOLR as a foster after seeing a "Foster Needed" post for a group of seniors. After she moved out of state, she took on the Social Media position. She has turned it into a centerpiece for our rescue mission.
The “Foster-Needed” posts are among the most important. “We can only bring in a new rescue if we have a volunteer step up to foster,” says Michele. If no one is available, Michele might post a photo on Facebook with a few words about the Lab’s personality. “We can reach a lot of people with a “foster needed” post, and, hopefully, add more volunteers to our tribe.”
That’s how Christine Mielke joined the team. She saw a Facebook post for 13 puppies that were found in a wash and needed fosters. Within 24 hours of responding to the post, she was approved as an experienced “specialty” foster who can care for entire puppy litters.
SOLR currently has 9,100 Facebook followers and posts 5-9 times daily, depending on needs. The team has five volunteers – Michele Pleasants, Amy Woerner, Colleen O’Halloran, Christine Mielke, and Cherish Martinez. Together, they help us build community with posts that celebrate happy endings, showcase available dogs, advertise upcoming events, and remind all of us why we do what we do. Every “like,” every share, every comment strengthens the invisible web that holds our rescue together.
And, of course, Facebook helps us find forever families too. Last April, a post for eight-year-old Lia, a beautiful white Labrador, caught the eye of Heather and Rob King. “We lost our sweet Malamute just after Christmas last year, and we weren’t sure we’d ever find another dog that fit our family,” says Heather. “When I saw Lia on Facebook and read her bio, her sweet face and calm energy seemed just right for our lifestyle. We were also excited by the idea of giving a senior dog a loving home for her golden years.” They adopted Lia on May 6, 2025.
Saving lives isn’t easy – it takes time, heart, and a whole lot of teamwork. By adding a dash of creativity, a pinch of humor, a little wit, and lots of hard work, our Facebook team helps build trust in our community. Every post matters. Every connection counts. And every dog saved is proof that, together, we can make miracles happen.
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