Rehoming an animal is always daunting, but we have some tips to help you through!
We’ve kind of nailed a formula on how to get our rescues adopted to great homes. Find out more below!
GETTING THE PAW’FECT SHOT!
A good photo is the difference between rehoming your animal or struggling for months and begging people to adopt.
Don’t beg; just take great photos.
OUR TOP TIPS!
- Ask for help: Consider contacting a friend who is a professional photographer for assistance in capturing high-quality photos of the animals.
- Use a good quality camera: While a phone camera can work, a DSLR camera is even better for getting sharp, detailed shots.
- Choose a clean backdrop: The focal point should be the animal, so try to photograph them against a plain background or natural greenery, as it may attract more interest.
- Natural Lighting: To capture great photos of your furry friends, take the time to shoot them outside during the day. Natural lighting will help you get the best shots.
- Focus: Take multiple photos during the day to ensure your subject is in focus. It may take many attempts, but one good photo can make all the difference.
- Look Into My Eyes: The best shot is when your animal looks directly into the camera. Their eyes can create an instant connection with viewers, making your photo stand out.
- Smile: Animals often smile when they pant. To capture this natural look, play with your pet for 5-10 minutes to get them happy and relaxed. This will help you get a natural, happy, and calm shot that will engage potential adopters.
BUT HOW?
- Food glorious food: Turn photo sessions into a fun game by dangling a treat over your camera’s lens to get your rambunctious rascal’s attention. It’s a playful way to capture their unique personality.
- Get noisy: Get some squeaky toys and squeak them close to the camera lens, or make stupid sounds (yes, it is a little embarrassing). Watch as they tilt their heads, stop moving, and curiously look at the camera. Boom, that’s a shot!
- Add some character: Accessories are a cute little addition to lighten the shot. A clean collar, bandana, or homemade daisy chain—anything that softens the animal and adds character will help your animal stand out.
DON’T
Remember the following guidelines for photographing animals:
- Avoid using cages as a backdrop, as they send the wrong message. Instead, use a sarong or a piece of material, or take the animal outside for a walk and look for a natural, well-lit backdrop.
- Make sure the photos are in focus and well-lit.
- Do not use photos of animals showing their teeth, as this may appear aggressive to viewers.
WHAT DO YOU WRITE?
There will be many opinions on what works and what doesn’t, but we’ve learnt to keep it upbeat and light. We try not to be desperate. We want someone to adopt our animals for who they are, not out of sadness or guilt. There is a home for all the animals, but some take longer.
- Focus on the positive traits: Is the dog toilet trained? Leash trained? Sleeps through the night? Is the dog vaccinated? Sterilised? Socialised?
- Who would be the ideal person? A couple, a single, or a family. If a family, what age would your animals suit?
- Your preferences matter. Always express what you’re looking for in people. We believe the best matches are made when the adopter’s and animal’s needs align.
- Our adoption process is thorough and designed to ensure the best outcomes for our animals: We always state that there should be no cages, chains or free-roaming; they must have a fully fenced yard, no kosts (a one-room studio with communal gardens) or guesthouses, plus house checks are mandatory. This ensures that our animals are going to the best possible homes.
- If your rescue is unique, please be clear to prospective adopters: They have the right to know if the animals have inherent trauma. Nothing is worse than investing your time into rehoming an animal only to have them returned within a few days due to underlying issues.
WHERE DO YOU ADVERTISE?
Facebook, with its millions of users and thousands in your area, is not just a platform, but a powerful tool for your cause. You have a captured audience right before your screen, and the potential for impact is immense.
- Join AS MANY local ‘groups’ as you can (be sure to read their ‘rules’ before posting).
- Post your photos and description directly into each group (don’t just share a post; your traction will be limited).
- Post as a ‘discussion’ rather than a ‘sale’. Facebook is cracking down on selling animals online (paw’some).
- Comment on the post each day—a smiley face or a love heart. Ask your friends to comment, too. It will push your post further up the feed and in front of more people.
- Your replies to people’s comments and engagement with them are crucial. This is the essence of social media, and your active participation is what makes this platform effective.
- Here are a few pages Bali specific groups you can post on:
Bali Community
Bali Expats
Ubud Community
Sanur Expat
I Love Bali Dogs
Bali Dog Lover
Bali Dog Lover K
Anjing Dijual (Bali)
Bali Adopt Rehome Pets
Canggu Community
Canggu & Seminyak Community
Seminyak Umalas & Kerobokan Community
Dog Lovers Bali
Bali Dog Lover Denpasar
Dog Lovers Bali
Anjing Dijual Di BALI (Dog Lover)
HOT TIP: This list is forever growing, so go to GROUPS and search ‘Bali’ or an area of Bali (such as Uluwatu), and new groups will appear.
SOMEONE APPLIED TO MY AD, NOW WHAT DO I DO?
Finally, you see a little red dot in your messenger, and there is someone wanting to adopt. Awesome, but now the real work begins.
- Engage in simple banter first, and then tackle the critical questions (see the questionnaire at the end of the page). Do not move past this point if the questions are not answered.
- Ask for a video of their house and yard. Look for signs of cages and chains. Ask to see video of their other pets if they have any.
- Make a time to meet once the answers are received and you’re happy
- Go with your gut, it’s rarely ever wrong
QUESTIONS WE ASK!
Feel free to copy and paste to any potential adopters.
Note: These questions are specific to Bali because taking dogs out of Bali is hard. Therefore, we are always looking for genuinely permanent people or people who understand the total commitment and are willing to take their animals wherever they move next if that should happen.
- How long have you lived in Bali (or the location you are adopting within)?
- How long do you plan to stay?
- If you leave, where would you go? Would you take your pets?
- Do you have a fully fenced and secure yard? Adoption is strictly no cages, no chains, no roaming, no kosts
- Do you have any other pets? If so, what/how old/gender/breed?
- Are your other pets fully vaccinated (2xComplete + Rabies)? This is paramount for the future health of all animals and a good indicator of whether they take their pets’ health seriously.
- Are your pets sterilised? If our rescues are old enough to be adopted, they must be sterilised either before adoption or when they are four-plus months old. Sterilising pets stops the suffering and reduces rescue.
- Do you have children? If so, how old?
- Do you work full-time? Is anyone home with the dogs during the day?
If you can send me some photos of your yard, that would be great.
Now, wait for their responses. If you feel comfortable with this being your furbaby’s potential home, then make time to meet!
