Choosing the right name for your foster pets is not only a fun part of the process but also an important step towards helping them find forever homes. At our shelter, we know that giving fosters good names make them easier to promote and increase their chances of being adopted.

In this article, we’ll give you some creative and thoughtful foster and rescue animal name ideas.

Single Dogs and Cats

Coming up with names is a fun and creative process. It’s an opportunity to highlight an animal’s unique characteristics or personality. Here are some good ways to name your animal, along with a few examples:

Appearance-Based Names:

• Fluffy (for a cat or dog with long, soft fur)
• Spot (for a pet with distinctive spots or markings)
• Ivory (for a white or cream-colored pet)
• Rusty (for an animal with reddish or rusty-colored fur)

Personality Trait Names:

• Whiskers (for a curious and whisker-twitching cat)
• Happy (for an always joyful and tail-wagging dog)
• Einstein (for a quick-thinking and intelligent pet)

Hobby or Interest Names:

• Purrlock Holmes (for a cat who loves to explore and investigate)
• Hiker (for a dog who enjoys outdoor adventures)
• Painter (for an artistic and creative pet)
• Gamer (for a pet who always wants to play games)

Literary or Mythological Names:

• Merlin (for a wise and magical pet)
• Athena (for a strong and intelligent female pet)
• Bilbo (for an adventurous and curious pet)
• Ariel (for a graceful and elegant pet)

Names from Nature:

• River (for a calm and flowing pet)
• Willow (for a gentle and graceful pet)
• Rocky (for a sturdy and resilient pet)
• Stormy (for a pet with a spirited personality)

Favorite Fictional Characters:

• Gandalf (for a wise and majestic dog)
• Elsa (for a graceful and beautiful puppy)
• Simba (for a bold and adventurous kitten)
• Hermione (for an intelligent and curious cat)

Names from Different Cultures:

• Kiko (Japanese for “hope”)
• Luna (Spanish for “moon”)
• Zara (Arabic for “flower”)
• Niko (Greek for “victor”)

The key to a great name is to choose one that matches the animal’s unique qualities. Take your time to get to know your foster (or rescue). Observe their behavior and characteristics to find the perfect name that suits them best.

Naming a Litter of Kittens or Pups

Naming a group of animals, such as a litter of pups or kittens, with themed names can add an extra layer of charm. It also makes it easier to promote them together. Here are some ideas for naming multiple animals:

Color-Themed Names:

• Luna, Hazel, Ruby, and Sky (for a litter with various coat colors)
• Ebony, Ivory, Pearl, and Onyx (for a black-and-white litter)

Nature-Themed Names:

• Willow, River, Leaf, and Stone (for a litter inspired by nature)
• Daisy, Rose, Lily, and Sunflower (for a floral-themed litter)

Literary or Movie-Inspired Themes:

• Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny (for a litter inspired by Harry Potter)
• Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin (for a litter inspired by Lord of the Rings)

Food-Themed Names:

• Peanut, Butter, Jelly, and Toast (for a whimsical food-themed litter)
• Cocoa, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ginger (for a spice-themed litter)

Mythological or Fantasy Themes:

• Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Hera (for a Greek mythology-inspired litter)
• Gandalf, Arwen, Legolas, and Galadriel (for a Lord of the Rings-inspired litter)

Travel-Themed Names:

• Paris, London, Sydney, and Rome (for a worldly litter)
• Sahara, Everest, Amazon, and Nile (for an adventurous litter)

Weather-Inspired Themes:

• Sunny, Storm, Rain, and Cloud (for a litter inspired by weather – the Weather Kittens!)
• Breeze, Snow, Thunder, and Lightning (for an elemental-themed litter)

Gemstone Names:

• Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond (for a precious gemstone litter)
• Amethyst, Topaz, Jasper, and Opal (for a more exotic gemstone theme)

Music-Inspired Themes:

• Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach (for a classical music-themed litter)
• Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Pop (for a musical genre-themed litter)

Seasonal Themes:

• Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn (for a seasonal-themed litter)
• Frost, Blossom, Sun, and Leaf (for a nature-inspired seasonal theme)

Themed names can create a cohesive and memorable group identity for your pups or kittens, making your adoption ads even endearing to potential adopters. (Sometimes it may lead to an extra one or two adoptions!)

Offensive or Inappropriate Names:

It should go without saying, but try to avoid any names that might be considered offensive, vulgar, or just inappropriate. These names can reflect negatively on your fostering efforts and your shelter’s reputation.

Names That Sound Too Similar to Common Commands.
Names that sound too much like common dog commands like “Sit,” “Stay,” or “No” can lead to confusion during training and everyday interactions. It’s best to select names that are distinct from typical commands to prevent miscommunication and help the animal understand and respond correctly to commands.

I once had a roommate who had a large dog named, “Mo.” Every time you tried to correct it, it would just get more and more excited!

Extremely Long or Complicated Names:
Keep your foster’s names short, simple, and easy to spell. Short names are often more appealing to potential adopters, as they are easier to remember.

Example: Naming a kitten “Princess Aurora Anastasia Sparklepaws III” could be challenging for everyone involved, leading to confusion and frustration.

Names That May Be Difficult to Explain or Pronounce:
Avoid names that are challenging to explain or pronounce to potential adopters. If a name requires a lengthy backstory or is overly complicated, it may create confusion and make it harder for the pet to bond with their future family. Go for names that are intuitive and easily understood.

Example: Naming a puppy “Xerxes” might be intriguing but potential adopters might struggling to pronounce or spell the name correctly.

Names That Could Be Considered Unlucky or Superstitious:
Names like “Jinx” or “Sorrow” may carry negative connotations or be seen as superstitious by some people. Choose names that convey positivity and hope.

Names That Denote a Bad Behavior:
“Scratchy” and “Screechy” also carry negative connotations. While the names may match a specific trait or behavior, using them as a name just draws attention to it.

Example: Naming a dog with a history of chewing “Destructo” will make anyone think twice before giving him a forever home.

Names That May Be Offensive or Disrespectful to a Specific Culture or Group:
Be mindful of cultural sensitivities when naming foster animals. Names that could be offensive or disrespectful to a particular culture, religion, or group should be avoided.

The names you choose for your foster animals play a significant role in their well-being and adoption prospects. They should be respectful, clear, and memorable, promoting positive interactions with both the animals and potential adopters!

An if an adopter does not like the name and the animal is young enough, well, they can always change the name!