Pound pet listings; new rules for pound peeps

As PetRescue grows exponentially, we learn more and more about our potential adopters, what works for our listed pets and what doesn’t.  One of the biggest concerns voiced by PetRescue visitors is that pound listings are changing the atmosphere of PetRescue from one of upbeat and positive, to urgent, frantic and in some cases, out and out unpleasant.

Perpetuating the idea that rescue is depressing and adoption traumatic, actually interferes with our adoptions and reduces people’s desire to search for a pet on PetRescue.

Rather than a blanket ban on pounds on the website, we’ve put together a standard text that will allow pound pets to be listed, without pressuring or traumatising our potential adopters. It also is a way to help educate people about the differences between pounds and rescue and help them make an informed decision.

From Jan 2009 anyone who’s listing for a pound is required to use the following text outline in all of their pound listings.

[NAME OF ANIMAL]

Should be either a name, or name and impound number. Terms like ‘urgent’, ‘death row’ or other emotive terms will be deleted.

[DESCRIPTION OF ANIMAL]

Text should be included here of the pets temperament (if any), potential requirements for their new home.

Then, the following information must be pasted in the listing;

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This animal is located in <NAME OF POUND>. To ensure that this pet will be suitable for your family, we advise that you read our pound information page
http://petrescue.com.au/information_library/information_for_pet_owners/adoption/638

The <NAME OF POUND> offers a desexing, microchipping and lifetime registration package before adoption. (edit to suit your state and pounds requirments)

Then the contact details (including website link if applicable) for the pound.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not permitted;

• an expected euthanasia date
   
• negatively emotive references such as URGENT, DEATH ROW or those that imply the person should hurry “please rush”, “save him” , “she doesn’t have much time”, etc.
  
  Suggested positive replacement terms include “be <pets name> hero”, “if you can offer <pets name> a great home, please contact us”.
   
• The overuse of CAPITAL LETTERS (this is read as yelling)
  
   

If you have any questions about these new requirements, please feel free to drop us a line; info@petrescue.com.au

See also: How to list pets on PetRescue

Return to the index...

This article has been viewed 2531 times.