Alabama Tornado Animals: Using WordPress in a Time of

Crisis

Michelle Amaral, @brainscientist2

4/27 tornadoes in Alabama Idea: reunite lost pets and their

familiesStrategy: utilize power of social

media

Background

www.facebook.com/ALTornadoAnimalsAnimals Lost & Found from the Tornadoes in

Alabama on 4/27/11

altornadoanimals.wordpress.com

Lost and found pet listings Veterinarians/shelters open w/ electricity Animal sightings Items needed by shelters and citizens Requests to help w/supplies, fostering,

volunteers, etc.

Organizing Information

Sort lost & found based on county

Tips on ‘searching for your pet’

What to do if you find an animal

Stories

“Gimpy”, Lauren’s lost lab

“Grover”, brought to vet by Don Leo

WordPress is user-friendly for those creating the site as well as those utilizing the site.

WordPress site allowed organization of the information.

Update site to include follow up stories of pets reunited after the tornadoes as well as current lost and found success stories.

Conclusions / Future Directions