The way you talk about your foster animal can significantly influence the way they are percieved by potential adopters. By using positive verbiage that highlights their unique personalities and focuses on their strengths and the joy they bring to your home, you are creating a persuasive narrative that will attract prospective adopters.

What is “positive verbiage”?

Using positive verbiage when talking about an adoptable animal means consciously choosing words that emphasize the animal’s strengths, personality traits, and potential for companionship. It involves highlighting their playfulness, affectionate behavior, or unique quirks, rather than focusing on negative or challenging qualities.

Positive Verbiage Examples

• Instead of saying “Molly has separation anxiety”, try saying “Molly loves to be close to her people.”
• Instead of saying “Grover is hyperactive”, try saying “Grover would do best in an active household, with lots of walks and hikes.”
• Instead of saying “Lily is a scaredy cat”, try saying, “Lily has a strong sense of personal space.”

How and When to Deliver “The Baggage”

When discussing an adoptable animal’s less than desirable traits, it’s important to frame the conversation in a way that emphasizes management and empowerment. Start by acknowledging the animal’s behavior history, then focus on how these traits can be positively managed and understood. For example, you might say, “This dog may be a bit nervous in new situations, but with patience and positive reinforcement, he can learn to feel more confident.” This approach not only empowers potential adopters with strategies for success but also highlights the animal’s ability to grow and adapt, fostering a sense of hope and connection. Highlight the ample behavioral resources HSSV offers with each adoption, including training resources. First impressions are everything, so try to refrain from focusing on less desirable traits when writing your foster animal’s bio.

Avoid using “shelter speak”

If you’re involved in the sheltering world, you may become familiar with professional jargon around animal behavior. Terms you might often hear are words like “reactive”, “leash aggression”, or “high arousal”.  When promoting your animal, try to stay away from using these terms and describe them in relatable ways using casual language. For example, instead of saying Keo is “high arousal”, try saying “Keo is a sensitive guy, and sometimes certain sights and sounds can be a bit much.”

Other Examples

• Instead of saying “Moxy is leash reactive”, try saying “When Moxy sees another dog she can get frustrated they can’t play and may vocalize.”
• Instead of saying “Daryl doesn’t like cats”, try saying “Daryl gets excited around cats and would do best in a Dog Only household.”
• Instead of “Sophie has [a medical condition] and will need prescription food for the rest of her life”, try saying “Sophie has [a medical condition] which is successfully managed with prescription food.”

In most cases, potential adopters fall in love at first sight when they see an animal’s profile on our website. For this reason, great profile photos are crucial to their success. Here are some things to note when capturing photos of your foster animal:

Formatting and Style

For best practices regarding format and style when taking adoption profile photos, please refer to our Format and Style Guidelines for Adoption Profile Photos.

Quantity

When the animal has less than three photos, parts of their bio page will appear blank. We ask that you submit a minimum of three photos of your foster animal to show them in their best light.

Show them off. Upload new photos frequently to show your foster animal’s best side and help them stand out!

When it comes to getting an animal adopted, a great bio can be a game-changer. Bios act as a window into the animal’s world, allowing potential adopters to connect on a personal level. By vividly describing the animal’s personality, interests, and any special traits, a bio helps create an emotional bond that can motivate someone to take the next step. For example, a bio that highlights a dog’s playful antics or a cat’s cuddly nature makes them more relatable and desirable. When a bio resonates with readers, it not only captures their interest but also encourages them to imagine the joy the animal could bring to their lives, significantly increasing their chances of adoption.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when composing bios is to keep things positive. If you were interviewing for a job, you would not say, “I procrastinate” or “I steal pens” during the job interview – you would focus on your qualities that bring value. Similarly, give your foster an animal their best shot at a good first impression by focusing on qualities that make your foster animal appealing to adopters.

Anatomy of a Bio

Bios are broken down into two different sections: bullet points and description. We keep items in this order to provide a quick yet informative read for our adopters.

Bullet Points

Studies show that listing a few positive highlights in bullet points appeals to our largest demographic of potential adopters (Gen Z), and helps to capture attention quickly. Prioritize “big attractions” for bullet points, such as:

• Potty/litterbox trained
• Fully grown (Adults only)
• Gets along with other dogs/cats/kids
• Comes with training classes
• Fun facts (e.g. – lap dog, very snuggly, loves car rides/water/long walks)

Description

To write a good bio for an adoptable animal, start by capturing the animal’s unique personality traits and quirks in an engaging way. Begin with a catchy introduction that highlights what makes the animal special, such as their playful nature or loving demeanor. Use descriptive language that evokes emotion, painting a picture of the animal in action—playing with a favorite toy, enjoying a sunny spot, or snuggling with a person.

Sample Bio:

“Hello everyone! My name is Gwen!

Here are some fun facts about me:

• House-trained
• Fantastic with other dog friends
• Loves to lounge and cuddle up close
• Enjoys car rides
• Instant friends with anyone I meet
• Eligible for a 3-week trial adoption!

My foster mom calls me Guunguun (means “humming” in Hindi) because I hum to let her know I want things… like a walk, or food… or MORE walks and MORE food! I may be a senior girl, but I love spending time in the yard and going on walks. I am a good girl around the house – my foster parents have shown me the ropes. I love being around my foster brothers and parents. Every person on my walks stops to greet me, and I am quite the road trip companion! I love long walks on the beach and then sunbathing in the sand with my hoomans. I am the most chilled out fur baby at campgrounds. You’ve hit the canine jackpot! Can’t wait for our life together!”

Notes for Success

• Keep it brief. Potential adopters prefer a short, easy read.
• No restrictions. Do not mention things like no kids, no cats, must have a yard, etc.
• Keep it fresh. Refresh your foster animal’s bio every two weeks until they are adopted to keep information current and try different angles

Advertising foster animals online and in social media significantly increases your foster animals’ exposure to potential adopters far beyond HSSV’s immediate circle. Engaging posts with heartwarming photos and stories resonate with animal lovers and inspire them to consider adoption. Social media platforms facilitate sharing, which means your foster pet’s profile can quickly reach a wider audience through likes, shares, and comments. This not only increases visibility but also creates a community of support where others can help spread the word.

While HSSV will automatically advertise your foster pet on our website and through partner platforms such as Adoptapet and Petfinder, there are many additional spaces you can post to help expand your foster pet’s digital footprint:

Facebook

In addition to posting on your personal feed to your audience of followers, Facebook offers the unique option to post within community groups. Facebook groups are online communities where members share common interests, in this case, animal adoption and rescue. They can be a great resource for finding potential adopters.

To find fitting groups, head to the Groups page on Facebook. Once in groups on Facebook, search using specific terms. Use terms like “adoptable pets [your location],” “dog adoption [your city],” or “cat adoption” in the search bar. You can also expand to broader audiences. Is your foster a great hiking buddy? Try searching for local hiking groups. Even a general neighborhood group could be an efficient place to post your foster pet.

 Instagram

Create an engaging profile dedicated to your foster pet or publish photos to your personal account for your followers to view and help spread the word. Instagram Stories and Reels are a quick and fun way to share moments and reach a broader audience.

Nextdoor

Utilizing Nextdoor to help get your foster pet adopted can be a highly effective way to connect them with your local community. Nextdoor is designed for local interactions, so you can encourage neighbors to share your post to broaden its reach. You can also join local pet-related discussions or groups on Nextdoor, where you can connect with other animal lovers and potential adopters.

Craigslist

Craigslist is a frequently used platform for local breeders. Promoting your foster animal on Craigslist helps to promote pet adoption as an alternative to purchasing bred animals. Craigslist also allows for including your animal’s bio and photos.

Other digital platforms you can use include X (Twitter) and TikTok.

Tips for Success

• Use hashtags such as #adopt #dogadoption #adoptapetmilpitas #pugmix, or #longhaircat and other local tags to reach a broader audience.
• Post regular updates to create multiple impressions and let people know your foster animal is still looking for a home
• Use a variety of content – videos, photos, and written content showcase your foster animal’s personality in different ways
• Respond quickly to inquiries. Don’t miss the chance to create a love connection between your foster animal and a potential adopter
• Tag @humanesocietysv – we can share your post to expand your audience!

When you introduce your foster pet to people at local events, parks, or pet-friendly venues, you expose them to a wider audience and allow potential adopters to see their personality in action. Engaging with people directly also provides an opportunity to share the animal’s story, and answer questions. In-person interactions can create emotional connections that a photo or description alone cannot convey, making it easier for someone to envision your pet as part of their family.

Additionally, being out in the community helps raise awareness about the importance of adoption and fostering, fostering a supportive network of animal lovers. By actively participating in the community, you not only enhance your foster pet’s visibility but also contribute to a culture of compassion and support for animals in need.

Leave a Lasting Impression

Foster parents are encouraged to post flyers and advertisements for their foster animals in public spaces. This is a great option for foster animals who may be difficult to physically bring out and about. You can create your own flyer design, or use [THIS TEMPLATE] in Canva. Please ensure you have permission before posting in any privately owned locations.

Where to Promote Your Foster Animal

• Pet Stores
• Community Boards
• Parks/ Dog Parks
• Apartment Complexes
• School Campus
• Private Businesses (e.g. – Restaurants, Stores, Breweries)
• Your Workplace
• Libraries
• Recreation Centers

Tips for Success

• Be bold. Use eye-catching accessories, like colorful bandanas or custom adoption vests, to make your foster pet stand out.
• Encourage interaction. Bring along treats or toys to encourage playful interactions, allowing people to see your pet’s fun personality.
• Be your foster animal’s advocate. Engaging with people, answering questions, and inviting them to pet or play with your foster can create positive, memorable moments that increase the likelihood of adoption.