Pet advocates are utilizing Facebook to spread the word about dogs that have spent most of their lives in the shelter.

Without foster families, these canines could be headed for doggy death row-this is what volunteers are trying to say and the message is tugging at people's heartstrings.

The advocates' goal is to boost the publicity of these "high priority" dogs and save them from certain euthanasia. This is a reality which happens at the rate of 60 percent at the Broward and Palm Beach county shelters.

Volunteers take heartbreaking portraits of the pooches and share their stories on Facebook-a tactic that they believe works because of the sheer number of people on the social media.

They don't ask for permanent homes; instead focusing on foster homes that can aid to buy time for the dogs and even for some cats. Facebook threads help to document the doggedness and perseverance of the volunteers.

Katia Medina has been lending a hand any way she can at the Broward County animal shelter located at Fort Lauderdale for about 6 years now. She stops by every day after her day job to ply and give comfort to the animals as well as take their portraits for Broward's version of the Urgent Dogs page.

The aforementioned page goes by the name of Broward Shelter Animals for Immediate Adoption/Rescue.

"It just makes all the difference in the life of a shelter animal that otherwise would not have that exposure to find a family. That's the wonder of technology, because 10 years ago we wouldn't be having this conversation," said Lisa Mendheim, public-education manager for Broward County Animal Care and Adoption.

Aside from connecting with long lost friends and family, social media is becoming an increasingly brilliant tool to spread the word on shelter animals that may be older or have special needs.