How to write a good pet profile

Giving potential adopters a few quality details about the pet seeking a home will allow them to assess whether they are potentially a good fit for their family and lifestyle. While many pets’ come into care with very little background information, the more detail you can provide about the pet, the better.

We've created a reference to help you write a great pet profile, with some of the key points being:

The Do’s

• Do give the pets in your care a name – Even if you have to make one up, based on how the pet looks, this helps potential adopters connect with the pet.
• Do be honest - Tell the truth, but focus on the positive rather than the negative aspects of the pet’s personality.
• Do include the reason the pet was surrendered if it reflects well on the pet – For example, if the owner has moved, died, or their circumstances have changed and are not conducive to being the best place for the pet. It reinforces that the pet has been cared for and not surrendered for behavioural issues.
• Do try to differentiate your listings – Grab the adopter's attention and engage them with a compelling ad. If you always write ‘more information coming soon’ or ‘contact us for more information’, your ad will be skipped over in favour of those with more engaging detail.
• Do make time to meet the rescue pet – Whenever possible, spend a little time getting to know the pet before you write their profile or chat with someone who knows what they’re like (for example - their foster carer or the current owner). This will help you understand who they are and who their perfect adopter would be.
• Do highlight the most desirable features first – This pet is wonderful, you know it, so make sure you communicate that from the start.
• Do use listings to drive traffic to your other rescue pets available for adoption – There's real value in using listings of pets on trial to direct potential adopters to other suitable matches. Even if ‘Fluffy little Jennie’ is no longer available, that enquirer may be interested in other similar pets you have in need of a home. So keep a list of your available pets handy, so you can suggest another pet that may be a match for them.
• Do change the wording and pictures over time - If you’re advertising a pet for a second, third or fourth time or the listing has been online for a while with limited interest, a refresh may be just the thing that finally catches the eye of the right adopter.
• Do update your group’s PetRescue profile – Refresh and update the information about your group, your goals, achievements and logo. This builds confidence in potential adopters that you are a professional organisation looking to help them find a great pet.
• Do remember to have fun – The more profiles you create, the easier the process becomes, the more confidence you gain and the more pleasure and fun you’ll get from writing them. And when you enjoy writing them, it will show in your listings, so your audience will enjoy reading them too.
• Utilise PetRescue’s AI Bot to lend a helping hand - AI Bot will help you write awesome pet profiles in half the time and assist in alleviating those moments of writer's block! Learn more about how you can use AI Bot to your advantage for writing pet profiles here.

The Don't's

• Don’t focus on the negatives – Stay positive and promote the pet’s best traits.
• Don’t use words that turn off potential pet adopters – Avoid terms and phrases that evoke sadness and helplessness, such as ‘death row’, ‘urgent’ and ‘she hasn’t got much time’ or graphic details of past abuse. You want your audience to feel empowered and excited about adopting pets in your care.
• Don’t include an expected euthanasia date – As part of our policy to promote adoption as a positive experience, this is not permitted on PetRescue.
• Don’t include the reason the owner surrendered the pet if it reflects badly on the previous owner – Not only does this leave you open to prosecution for libel, but it also intimidates potential adopters. It’s important that you remain upbeat and non-judgemental.
• Don’t just write ‘contact us for more information’ as the profile – that won’t engage your ideal adopter or encourage them to act.
• Don’t use abbreviations or industry terms – Your adopters might feel confused or intimidated if you use industry terms they do not understand, such as LWF, DSC, due date, HD, and PTS. So make sure you communicate clearly and simply.
• Don’t overuse capital letters – THE OVERUSE OF CAPITAL LETTERS MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE SCREAMING AT YOUR READER!

To generate maximum interest in your animals, focus on the pet and their personality. Make them sound appealing, and present the adoption process as a fun and rewarding experience!