GREENVILLE – It started with a July 7 social media post.

That was 3½ weeks after Hank, a 4½-year-old chocolate Labrador, and his inseparable fuzzy purple hippo arrived at Fox Valley Humane Association. The pair needed a new home, and the shelter was determined to provide the bonded pair with one.

So employees went to work — they concocted a story via social media about the two in hopes of landing them an adoption.

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“You always want to look for ways that are fun and different to keep the interest and the enthusiasm alive,” said FVHA executive director Deb Lewis.

In a series of Instagram and Facebook posts, the nameless stuffed hippo suddenly requires emergency surgery to repair a near-decapitation after a mysterious injury. Hank is then questioned about the hippo’s near-fatal wounds, while the recovering hippo meets with a therapist to discuss her relationship with Hank.

Hank retains an attorney, picketers assemble outside the shelter on behalf of the Labrador, and Appleton Police Chief Todd Thomas and the department’s therapy dog,Blue, help investigate the hippo’s injury.

It all ends on a positive note: Thomas and Blue exonerate Hank of all wrongdoings.

“Actually, Hank should be commended for the fine job that he did trying to take care of his friend,” Thomas said in an Instagram video.

On an even happier note: a Fox Valley family adopted Hank and the hippo on July 13.

“(Hank’s) very much a gentleman in the house, a very sweet dog,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the social media campaign, which was directed by FVHA creative coordinator Rebecca Reppert-Klich, “greatly increased” Hank’s chances of being adopted. “In addition to that, it brought lots of new people in who also adopted.”

Lewis said FVHA has helped more than 4,100 animals this year through adoptions, transfers and other measures. Last year, the shelter helped 6,283 pets.

This year, FVHA hopes to save 6,500 animals.

[Source:-postcrescent]