Tips for Great Pet Listings

Millions of potential adopters visit Petfinder every month looking for their new best friend, so crafting an engaging pet listing helps create an emotional connection between potential adopters and your pets so they can find their forever home faster.     

Simple Tips for Engaging Descriptions

First, make sure all the details are completed in the Name, Physical, and Health and Behavior sections. About 40% of potential adopters search using these attributes.  The most popular search criteria includes breed, age, size and house trained. 

“Good with” tags can help reduce time to adoption.  For example, senior pets with 2 or more “Good with” tags spend 20 – 25 fewer days on Petfinder. 

Once you are ready to write your pets story, think about what makes this pet unique and picture a great adopter for this pet.  For example, young, energetic pets need active people who will take them on walks, while senior pets may just want to cuddle on the couch.  Then follow these easy 5 steps.

1. Grab the reader’s attention with your first sentence: make it short and snappy and say something endearing about the pet. 
   • Cleo is a love bug.
   • Bear has never met a stranger.
2. Highlight skill and compatibility with children and other pets. This helps the reader envision how your pet can fit into their current life
   • Berkley is a social butterfly and loves to play with kids and other dogs (Good with other dogs & cats)
   • If you are looking for a running partner, Bruno is your guy. (Leash trained and active dog)
3. Be honest but focus on the positive.
   • Stella is the most loyal and loving companion, who may take a little time to warm up. 
   • Dixie is eager to learn and working on getting potty trained. (potty trained)
   • Max loves exponentially with just a little bit of extra care. (special needs)
4. Keep it short and feel free to use bullet points.
    
5. Close with strong call to action. 
   • Louie is fully vetted and ready to go. If you are interested in meeting this cute little guy, click on the “Start your Inquiry” button to fill out an Adoption Inquiry Form or visit our website and fill out an application at www.yourorganization.com 
   • This cutie is capturing hearts! Don't miss your chance to bring this lovebug home.  Click on the “Start your Inquiry” button to submit an Adoption Inquiry Form or contact us now at (phone number/website)
      

A few additional things to consider…

• Make sure your contact and adoption information is complete in your member profile page. This information will be pulled into each pet’s profile, making it easier for potential adopters to start the inquiry process. 
• Transparency builds trust! Include your adoption fee up front.
• If the pet was surrendered, include the reason why so readers won’t assume it was the pet’s fault: because of a move, caretaker death, or pet parents moved to nursing care. 
• Don’t overuse capital letters, YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE SCREAMING AT YOUR READER
• Consider using ChatGPT to create your pet’s description.  It is a great tool to help you get started quickly, especially when you have several to write.  Always make sure to review and edit what ChatGPT returns to make sure it is unique to your pet.  
   

Here are some examples of how to turn a potential negative into a positive. 

• Negative:  Is scared when meeting new people…
  Positive:  A dignified fellow (or lady) with a reserved personality at first….
   
• Negative:  Barks a lot
  Positive:  A smarty pants that speaks their mind
   
• Negative:  Elderly pet/senior
  Positive:  A seasoned pro at life
   
• Negative:  High strung/hyper
  Positive:  An “energy-up“ companion to keep you moving

Clever Tips for Adorable Pet Photos

Do you believe in love at first sight? We do! Capturing the pet’s individuality will help potential adopters make an emotional connection. Research shows more than half of users will scroll through photos of pets they like. You can load up to 6 photos and 1 video in each profile, so be sure to get as many good photos as possible and always have at least one head shot and one full body.

Before snapping the photo, consider these photo tips.

• Horizontal photos display better (show more of your pet) on Petfinder.  
• If you can, take photos outside or in a room with windows as natural light is best to show off the pet’s coat.  If you can’t get outside, choose plain backgrounds that best show off the pet’s coat: lighter backgrounds for dark coats and darker backgrounds for light coats.
• Remove any distracting clutter from the background. You want viewers focused on the pet.
• Make sure you have lots of treats or toys to get their attention.  
• Avoid pictures of pets in cages, especially through bars or chain link fencing. Both can give the perception of being trapped or held against their will.

When taking the photo

1. Get down on their level, so you’re eye to eye.  Stay close enough to capture the details, but don’t get so close they feel crowded.   
2. Focus on their eyes: use treats, toys and sounds to get their attention
3. Try to center the pet’s head in the photo and use the auto focus setting.
4. Capture their smiley, silly or easy-going expressions.  Getting them to open their mouth helps to make them look they are smiling
5. Show off their skills: walking on a leash, sitting patiently, taking a treat nicely, or laying down on command.
6. Feature them interacting with people or other dogs and cats.
7. Use fun costumes, bandannas, or holiday themed backgrounds to highlight their unique personalities – Just make sure they aren't scared or distracted by the accessories or tempted to chew or consume any part of a costume.

Simple Tips for Pet Videos

Videos are an excellent way to showcase a pet’s unique personality and quickly make an emotional connection with potential adopters.  When potential adopters view a pet’s video, that pet is 60% more likely to be “Favorited” or receive an Adoption Inquiry Form. 

Before taking the video…

• Shoot your videos horizontally in landscape mode to capture more of the action.  Plus horizontal images and videos display better on Petfinder. 
• Use both hands or flexible handheld tripods to help hold your phone steady while you shoot.
• Take videos outside or in rooms with natural light. 
• Make sure you have lots of treats to get their attention to get those puppy tails wagging and kitty motors purring.
• If you can, get a second person to help with holding the leash to get the pet in the right spot
• Remove any clutter before filming

When taking the video…

1. Film your pets doing something cute, chasing a ball, playing with toys and getting lots of belly rubs. 
2. Showcase the pet’s skills in the video: leash or harness walking, agility training or riding in a car.
3. Feature your pet interacting with others. If the pet is dog- or cat-friendly, film them with other pets.
4. If you’re making a talkie, be aware of appropriate human language.

Examples of Great Pet Listings That Get Pets Adopted Faster 

Meet Jacaerys 

Have you ever said, "I wish I had a cat that snuggled me all the time" or "I wish I had a cat that greeted me at the door" or "I wish I had a cat that was social with guests"? 

Well, that’s me! I’m that cat! Hi, my name is Jacaerys.  
 
I'm equal parts rambunctious and loving, and a total attention hog. If I see one of my brothers getting more attention than me, I run up and demand I get the lion's share of the pets! Sitting on your chest and neck while purring in your ear is my favorite thing to do. And I love meeting new people -- because that's just someone else I get to snuggle with! I'm also quite chatty, so we can have long conversations about what kinds of treats you plan on giving me next. 

I was born on September 23 in Kuwait and traveled all the way to Los Angeles with my mom and siblings. I love living that “LA Life” and can’t wait to find a forever home here! 
 
My two brothers, Viserys and Joffrey, just like me! The three of us adore one another. I'd love to be adopted with one (or both!) of them. But, if you already have a young playful kitty for me to be buddies with, I know we'll be fast friends! 
 
I am neutered, microchipped, flea treated, dewormed, vaccinated with 3 FVRCPs and a rabies shot, SNAP tested negative for FIV/FeLV, and fecal tested/treated. I am currently fostered in Tarzana and available to adopters within 2 hours.  

Ready to add some purr-fection to your life?  Click on the “Start your Inquiry” button to submit an Adoption Inquiry Form or apply at www.friendsforliferescuenetwork.com/adopt-la 
 
For more info about me, and to see updated photos, check out my fosters’ Instagram: www.instagram.com/itspippisworld 

Meet Cowboy  

Don’t let this big doggo fool you. He’s a little dog trapped in a big dog’s body.  

For Cowboy, the closer to you, the better. He loves resting his head anywhere on or near you.  

Cowboy’s Love Language? Gentle physical contact. He melts people’s hearts on a regular basis by:  

• Nudging hands to let you know when he’s having fun, 
• Giving the politest of kisses, 
• Being gentle and thankful when he takes treats.  

Although he seems to thrive around company (people and dogs alike), he’s also quite content at home alone where he can enjoy his squeaky toys and long, guilt-free naps stretched out on his back. In fact, sleeping through the morning might be up there on his list of favorite things to do. His dreams must be amazing because even a morning pee can usually take a back seat to his hardcore dedication to the Zzz’s.  

Cowboy is a sweetheart who gets excited when people get home and loves attention. He’s a fast-learner and seems to be emotionally intuitive as well.  

Cowboy is also very good at matching people’ energy. Feeling playful? He’s ready to go. Want to chill out? He’s right there too. Whoever adopts Cowboy will get an amazing companion. 
  
Gender: Neutered male 
Age: 2-3 years 
Weight: 100 lbs 
 
If you are interested in meeting the Cowboy of your dreams, click on the “Start your Inquiry” button to submit an Adoption Inquiry Form or apply now at https://k9kismet.org/adoption-application/ 
 

Additional Resources

For more help with adding a pet listing, or adding, editing or deleting photos and videos, check out these additional help articles.

• New Pet Listings:  Add, Edit and Delete a Pet 
• Photos & Videos:  Upload, Edit and Delete