How to Improve your Storytelling Skills
and Free Up Your Shelter Space!
We’ve probably all seen adoptable animals promoted by their name, age and breed but turning it into a story makes for a more colorful picture of who that pet really is. For example, instead of saying, “Delmonico, a 10-year-old poodle mix,” we can say “who’s in the mood for Delmonico’s restaurant? If your answer is yes, then you may have just found your prime pooch, available for adoption today,” continuing to describe all the great qualities that Delmonico has to offer.
Use your best photos to capture the personality of the pet and emotionally connect to your audience. Even if the animal isn’t the most attractive of the bunch or has a challenging personality, Arin Greenwood, editor, writer and communications consultant, recommends “leaning into it.” You can still use those unique or different qualities to tell a story, one which still makes the animal just as adoptable as others. Think to yourself, “is this something I could see my best friends sharing on social media?” How about your parents or family members? If the answer is yes, then you’ve probably written a good story that will help this animal find their forever home.
KC Pet Project, Lifeline Animal Project and BARCS are all great references when it comes to storytelling for social media.
Hopefully by using this style of writing, you will increase the speed of adoptions, freeing up space for new incoming customers!
Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Job-Alikes
Phone a Friend!
Piggy-backing on storytelling and marketing, HASS has created a platform called Job-Alikes, where people with similar job roles can come together to discuss challenges and opportunities within humane work. Maybe storytelling isn’t your thing or you’re new to writing in this style, then the Marketing and Communications Job-Alike might be the perfect one-stop-shop for discovering tips and tricks for your adoptable animal feature. If a particular job-alike isn’t available, stay tuned for further topics rolling out in 2022.
PetCo Love Provides 1 Million Vaccines to Animal Welfare Partners for Distribution to Pets in Need
Are You a Partner?
Back in August of 2021, PetCo Love committed to providing 1 million vaccines to pets in need. Now, they are establishing March 2022 as National Pet Vaccination Month. “Although many pet parents already vaccinate their pets with these core canine and feline vaccines, many cannot afford or are unaware just how important this standard preventative care is to ensure the health and longevity of our beloved pets,” explained Dr. Whitney Miller, Petco’s Chief Veterinarian. “While vaccines have been available for decades and are highly effective in preventing deadly diseases, the best way to ensure overall pet health and wellness is to make them readily available for all.”
If your organization is willing and able to participate in this national campaign by distributing free vaccines to family pets in need, sign-up here.
