Animal Welfare Professionals

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hi everyone! 

We, like many shelters and rescues, enjoy sharing happy adoption stories on our social media. Especially for those special needs cases that pull on the heartstrings. 

Unfortunately, we've had a handful of adopted pets return to our care for a variety of reasons these last few weeks. One of these dogs was a special needs case, who attracted the attention of hundreds on social media. We waited a full week before sharing the update and adoption photo, as it seemed to be a perfect match. He was in his home for six weeks before returning to our care, and it was truly a surprise to us all.  It seemed that he developed some aggressive tendencies in the home that we did not observe during the four months spent in our care. 

I'm wondering how you would go about sharing this not-as-happy update, after people have already celebrated his recovery and adoption? Dozens of our donors left supportive comments, some even asking for continued updates from his new home.  He will soon be available for adoption again, which means making an appearance on our website, which will undoubtedly lead to questions about his last placement. We do not want to shame the previous owner in any way (it was a very difficult decision bringing him back to the shelter), but do not want to hide his recent struggles with aggression. He will need formal training once he's adopted again. 

I would greatly appreciate any advice you have about how to navigate this situation with grace. Thank you!

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
#MarketingandSocialMedia

I would basically say what you've said here. Something along the lines of:

"We are sad to report that [name] is back with us. When in a home environment, he started displaying behaviors that were not seen at the shelter. The adopters tried to work with him, but unfortunately it was beyond their ability, and they made the difficult decision to do what was best for [name] and bring him back to the shelter so that he could go to a home that was better equipped to care for him. While we're all disappointed that it didn't work out, we're grateful his adopters recognized that it wasn't the right fit and brought him back to us that the we can find a home where he can truly thrive. While we try very hard to ensure we're sending pets to the homes they need, sometimes it just doesn't work out, and that's okay! It gives the pet some time out of the stressful shelter environment and provides us with valuable information about their personality and behaviors in a home, allowing us to make a better match next time.

We now know that [name] needs a home that [whatever he needs, and end with some positives about his personality/behavior]

If you think [name] sounds like the perfect pup for you, please [whatever the next steps would be]"

Basically recognize that it's unfortunate that it didn't work out, express gratitude for the adopters for making a difficult decision in doing what was in the best interest of the dog, make sure to emphasize that it's okay if things don't work out, and then describe what you now know he needs in his home.

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Sam Maurice
Humane Society of Jefferson County
Jefferson WI
https://hsjc-wis.com
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I agree with Samantha. Something I learned in a class I'm taking about shelter cats is to think of animals that got adopted but then were returned more as if that person was fostering the animal for however long, got them out of the stressful shelter environment for a while and gave us new information that we can use to find the right home for them. While it isn't ideal or what was planned, it is more of a net positive than a negative and you are more equipped and know how to better provide for this animal.

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Laurel Nelson
Cat Welfare Supervisor
Nebraska Humane Society
NE
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Yes as long as you are a shelter that understands the info learned during the 'rehoming' has as much to do w/ the adopters as it does the dog/cat.  And if there were negative reactions by the dog/cat, the shelter learns and trains if needed and doesn't use it as a reason to euthanize.  Many shelters, even well funded ones, still do that as the first and only option.

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Mary Lou Maraganis
President
Animal Rescue Konnection
Gloucester MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2024 12:38 PM
From: Laurel Nelson
Subject: Navigating Returned Pets on Social Media

I agree with Samantha. Something I learned in a class I'm taking about shelter cats is to think of animals that got adopted but then were returned more as if that person was fostering the animal for however long, got them out of the stressful shelter environment for a while and gave us new information that we can use to find the right home for them. While it isn't ideal or what was planned, it is more of a net positive than a negative and you are more equipped and know how to better provide for this animal.

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Laurel Nelson
Cat Welfare Supervisor
Nebraska Humane Society
NE
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I pivot, this way its nothing mentioned about prior adopters or any possible way for it to be negative to anyone. I try and find the most creative way to spin the situation while still giving accurate information. ( Transparency is key)

Ive added a picture of one that was recent. When she first came in, we were told she was female only , no kids etc. She was adopted and was doing VERY well until it became apparent that she was almost becoming overprotective

of the new family and fighting the dog they already had in the home. With the adopter being older we didnt push it and brought her back to us.  I made sure to get EVERY possible detail that could be asked when coming back. Good with dogs? Kids? Cats? Chickens? Everything and think about my post. Don't think you have to rush to post, it could come across as really bad posting with emotion instead of facts. I also wait 24 hours from when the dog is brought back to make a post in the event anything changes. 

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Kristie Loonam
Social Media Manager -Volunteer
Tri-County Animal Shelter
NC
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