Tips To Promote Your Foster Dog (or cat!)

Here are some of the basics covered in the Dallas Love Bugs, "Tips On How To Promote Your Foster" video.

We live in a low attention span, scannable, visual culture.

To grab attention: your FIRST PHOTO in a set or FIRST COUPLE SECONDS of video need to be engaging.

Show your foster's BIO with Photo and Video evidence.

Good with kids? Media with kids.

Good with cats? Media with cats.

A silly goose? Silly goose photos.

Super cuddly? Cuddle pics.

Get the picture? (ba-da-bum)

• UPDATE YOUR FOSTER'S PHOTOS and BIO on the Shelter/Rescue Website THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACE vs PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA
• ‍MARKET MARKET MARKET "Always Be Posting!"‍
• INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TIKTOK, NEXTDOOR Use What You Got.
• ‍POSTS, STORIES, REELS, GROUPS Use all the spaces.
• SMILES, HAPPY, FUN, AFFECTION, PLAYFULNESS Show off their good side!
• POSITIVITY Always! You can discuss challenges once a potential adopter reaches out.
• DIVERSITY Showing your foster with different types of people, in different types of spaces may help an adopter envision them better in their particular life.
• SHOW THEIR BEHAVIOR, PERSONALITY, & SKILLS Show Special Traits of Your Foster - Are they dog friendly? kid friendly? cat friendly? cuddly? playful? silly? know tricks? Capture this in video and photos. Share it!
• TELL THEIR STORY Anything special about their background or story? Have they overcome something with you? Learned new tricks? Is this their third time at the shelter, through no fault of their own? Share it!
• COMPREHENSIVE POSTS Include the various visual media as well as full details about them in your main posts. Stories, one-offs, Reels, etc you can do randoms but be sure to do some comprehensive posts for sharing, tagging, pointing people to.
• MAKE IT EASY ON PEOPLE Add DIRECT link to animal's profile, don't just say "go to shelter website" or even only write "available at XYZ Shelter." Lead them all the way, specifically.
• USE THE ID# WITH HASHTAG ON ALL POSTS If someone hits that hashtag, all (public) posts will sort - an interested party will see all same-tagged posts, at once.
• MIX IT UP Do different kinds of posts. Keep sharing!
• TAG YOUR SHELTER / RESCUE or anyone else who may readily share your posts
• SEND MEDIA TO YOUR SHELTER or RESCUE for them to use in their social media posts
• "ADOPT ME" ACCESSORIES Bandana, Leash, or any other accessories - these are great to use when you take your foster out on the town, even if it is just a car ride! You never know... maybe that drive thru starbucks barista will notice your foster in the backseat and his accessories will signal he is available and a connection is made! Also cool to use these accessories in some of your photos.
• ATTEND FOSTER EVENTS set up by your rescue/shelter to showcase fosters
• STUCK AND NO MOVEMENT? Change it up! Swap out a main profile photo, rewrite or reformat their online bio. Ask fellow fosters (or real life friends) for help with new ideas or media and/or helping to promote - maybe someone else can take them for a daycation or weekend, out on the town, post them on their social media, add their own notes and feedback about your foster dog?

Don't get discouraged and keep promoting! Your foster's home is out there... they just need the chance to see them!
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RESOURCES:

BEST FRIENDS “10 creative ways to promote your foster pet"

MUDDY PAWS RESCUE “How to Market Your New Foster Dog For Adoption!”

The content on this website is based on personal experience and researched information. Please note no one here is a professional vet, trainer, or behaviorist. Always consult your vet and trainer about what is best for your dog or cat and their mental & physical health!

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