Pet adoption transforms lives—both for the animals finding their forever homes and for the people welcoming them in.
And each one of those adoption success stories has the potential to become a powerful marketing tool for that animal shelter or rescue. And the best thing is, these stories are being created all the time!
Every adoption story is unique and has the potential to touch in a special way. These narratives often resonate with potential adopters on a personal level. People see themselves in these stories. They can picture their own lives enriched by a new car or dog.This connection can often be the push someone needs to consider adopting.
Building Trust Through Storytelling
When adopters share their positive experiences, it validates your organization’s work. If you want to promote these stories, you need to start collecting them. Here’s how to do it, with practical advice and examples.
Create Follow-Up Process to Learn More
Develop a systematic follow-up schedule, such as contacting adopters after one week, one month, and six months. For instance, a check-in email could say, “Hello [Adopter’s Name], we hope you and [Pet’s Name] are settling in well together! We’d love to hear about your experience so far. Feel free to share any stories or photos!”
Feedback Surveys: Sending out surveys can be incredibly insightful. Include questions like:
- “How has your cat or dog adapted to their new home?”
- “What has been your happiest moment with your new pet?”
- “Were there any challenges during the adoption process or afterwards?”
- “Do you have any suggestions for how we can improve our adoption process?”
Encourage Participation from Adopters
Emphasize the value of their stories in your communications. Say something like, “Your story can inspire others to adopt. Would you be willing to share it?”
Create a dedicated space on your website for stories, with a simple submission form. On social media, regularly post calls for stories, providing a direct link or hashtag to make sharing straightforward.
NOTE: Always get explicit consent before sharing personal information. Include a line in your follow-up communications like, “We’d love to share your story with our community. Please let us know if we have your permission to do so.” Even if you do get permission, keep the personal information you share to a minimum.
Offer an anonymous sharing option. Make it clear in your communications: “If you prefer to share your story anonymously, just let us know. We respect your privacy.”
Show the Impact of a Successful Adoption
Craft your stories to highlight the emotional journey of both the pet and the adopter. For example, you might share a story of a shy, rescued dog who blossomed into a confident, loving companion. Use before-and-after photos to visually capture this transformation.
Create narratives that allow potential adopters to envision a future with a rescue pet. Include details like how a cat or dog fits into daily routines, overcame challenges, or formed a bond with their new family. These narratives help bridge the gap between abstract idea and tangible reality for adopters.
Give Real-life Examples and Data
Collect and present data that illustrates the impact of your shelter’s work. For instance, create a monthly or quarterly report that tracks adoption rates. Share insights like, “In months where we shared more than five success stories, we noticed a 15% increase in inquiries about adoption!”
Testimonials: Gather quotes from adopters who credit success stories as an influence in their decision to adopt. When you ask the question of where someone heard of the pet (and you do ask that, don’ you?), make sure you note the answer. These testimonials can be featured in your newsletters, social media, or on your website. For instance, “Hearing about how Luna helped her new family overcome grief encouraged them to adopt her.”
| Image | Title | Summary | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Please Make a Difference – Adopt a Cat | 🐱 Every purr tells a story. Our cats are ready to share theirs with a … | |
 | Please Make a Difference – Adopt a Dog | 🐶 They’re waiting for a loving home, and it could be yours. Please consider adopting a dog in need of a family today! #AdoptDontShop #RescueDogs #Fore… You must have the proper membership access to view this content. Not a member? Join today. Username Password Remember Me Forgot … | |
 | Fall In Love With Adopting | This season, open your heart and home to a shelter pet in need. From cozy cuddle sessions to brisk autumn walks, there’s no better time to welcome a n… You must have the proper membership access to view this content. Not a member? Join today. Username Password Remember Me Forgot … |
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