Increase Adoptions Using Online Shelter or Rescue Directories

If someone tries to find an adoptable pet in her community, would your shelter or rescue be listed in the many directories that list adoptable pets? To increase your chances of being found, list your shelter or rescue in as many online directories as possible. Think about the many ways your shelter or rescue could be categorized: by state, breed, no kill, special needs, or seniors, including the following ideas.

These sites offer searches by ZIP and/or state and by cats, dogs, and a variety of other animals, including ferrets, rabbits, farm animals, etc. Some merely list shelter names. Others offer the option of finding adoptable pets on their sites.

Petfinder

Adopt a Pet

Animalshelter.org

ASPCA

Pet Shelter Directory

No Kill Network – get listed here if your facility is no-kill.

If your rescue is breed-specific, get listed in directories of breed rescue groups. For dogs, a good place to get started is the Breed Rescue Directory.

Special needs pets and senior pets are often the last to be adopted. If you rescue these pets, try to get listed in as many online directories as possible. All Dogs Welcome lists breed-specific rescues and shelters, rescues and shelters by state, rescues for senior dogs, and rescues for special needs dogs.

Work on adding your shelter or rescue to online directories on a continuing basis. Put this task on your calendar every month and constantly research more sites where you can list your group.