Writing a bio for your foster dog is the number one thing that helps them get adopted. It’s your chance to share their personality and help potential adopters picture this pup as part of their family. A great bio highlights not only the dog’s personality but also gives readers an emotional connection that makes them want to meet the dog in person. Whether your foster is a goofy ball of energy, a gentle snuggler, or a shy soul still learning to trust, the right words can make all the difference in finding them their forever home.
Tips for Writing a Great Bio
I’m not a professional writer, but after writing bio’s for seven foster dogs and adopting them out anywhere between 8 and 22 days after posting their bio, I think I have a pretty good formula.
- Write the bio from the dog’s point of view
- “Hi, my name is Chance….I am calm and quiet guy…
- Very early on, have the dog reference their “foster mom” or “dad”
- “My foster mom says I am…”
- People tend to equate dogs in homes as being good dogs. Knowing they have a “mom” or “dad” helps them envision the dog as a family dog.
- Highlight their positives
- “I am house trained”
- “I am not destructive”
- Show their personality – describe what makes them unique
- “I am a really smart boy and I learn new tricks easily”
- “I am a calm girl, who enjoys snuggling”
- “I am playful and can be silly”
- Paint a picture of daily life – share what they enjoy
- “I love to go on walks”
- “I love to play fetch”
- Be honest but kind
- If they have special needs (shy, still learning manners, requires a calm home), phrase it in a way that sets realistic expectations without discouraging
Foster Dog Bio Examples
Below are the bios that I wrote for each of my foster dogs. You may see some overlap in some wording – but I figure if it fits the dog and it works, no need to re-invent the wheel!
Aurora – My first foster, read her story.
Adopted 8 days after posting her bio.
Hi, my name is Aurora and my mom says I am the sweetest, goodest girl. I am very calm and quiet. Because I’m older, I’m not into playing with toys anymore, my favorite pastime is just lounging around wherever my foster mom and dad may be. I don’t ask for lots of attention, I’m just happy to be in the same room with my family. I am a very good girl when I am left alone; I’ll just sleep in my dog bed dreaming about you. I love to lay out in the yard and watch my foster mom do yardwork. Sometimes I go outside by myself, to bask in the sunshine and make sure I get all of my vitamin D. When I decide I want to come in, I don’t bark or paw at the door. I just lay by the door and patiently wait for someone to see me. I know how to sit and shake. I am housebroken. I take treats very gently. I enjoy going on short walks and I love car rides. I don’t try to get on the furniture, I am perfectly happy sleeping in my dog bed. During my time in my foster home, I’ve only met 1 other dog. I was excited to meet her, there were lots of tails wags and sniffing. We got along just fine; I just wasn’t interested in playing. I have not come into contact with any cats, so I am not sure how I feel about them. My foster mom says I would be a great dog for any family because I am so well behaved. But since I am not much into playing with toys or other dogs, I would probably be best for family that wants a quiet, loyal companion to spend time with them.
Pepper – In the shelter for 279 days!
Adopted 14 days after posting her bio.
My favorite of my seven fosters.
Hi, my name is Pepper and my foster mom says I am the sweetest, goodest girl in the whole wide-world. She told me I am one of the most well-behaved dogs she has ever met and she can’t understand how I ended up in the shelter in the first place and then on top of that how I spent so long there. I know my mom was surprised to find out how good I was, but I knew I was a good girl the whole time and so I could never figure out why so many people passed me by while I was there. Let me tell you about myself. I am house-trained. I don’t try to get on the furniture. I am happy sleeping in one my dog beds or even just on the floor, especially if it’s by a sunny window. I don’t bark, so my foster mom doesn’t even know what I sound like. I don’t get into stuff I should not get into. When my foster mom opens the front door or backyard gate, I don’t try to rush out. I stand back and wait until I know I am allowed to go through. I love to lay out in the yard while my mom does yard work. I also love to lay around the house while she’s working at home. My foster mom mostly works from home, but she has left me alone several times and I have always been a good girl. I am not a high energy dog, but I am a young healthy dog who needs exercise, so I do need to go on a walk every day. I LOVE walks and I get REALLY excited when the leash comes out and start to dance and hop, but then my mom tells me to sit and I do, so that she can put my leash on. When I get outside, I walk really nice on the leash. I LOVE belly rubs, they’re my favorite. While I am very calm in the house, sometimes in the backyard I get the zoomies. Because I’m a bigger dog, I’d do best in a home with kids who understand my playfulness and speed when I get the zoomies. I take treats very gently. I do really well in the car. I just like to sit and look out the window. During my time in my foster home, I’ve only met 1 dog in the neighborhood. I was excited to meet him, there were lots of tail wags and sniffing but he was tiny and I was big and I was a little overwhelming in my sniffing him. My foster mom thinks I am dog friendly but that I just haven’t had many interactions with other dogs in my life and so I may not know what other dogs consider to be proper doggy etiquette. Because of that, I should meet any dog(s) that live in my future family’s home first. But I am a good, smart girl and so with practice, I can learn good doggy social skills. My foster mom took me to a restaurant the other night and I was so good. I laid down at the table and didn’t try to solicit attention from passersby. My mom says there is nothing she would change about me, that I am just the best, sweetest dog ever and that I deserve the best home in the world. She says whoever gets to adopt me will have hit the jackpot. I agree with her!
Blue – Put on the euthanasia list, read his story.
Adopted 17 days after posting his bio.
Hi, my name is Blue. I’m a distinguished gentleman who would love to grow old with you. I’m a calm, quiet boy in the house but I still have plenty of energy to go on walks or hikes. I’m not interested in toys but I love treats and being pet. I am housetrained and I am a good boy when my foster mom leaves me home alone in the house. I would like to get up and snuggle with you on the couch but because I am older, I can’t jump that high anymore, so I never get on the furniture by myself. So really, I would only get on the furniture if you want to help me on to it, otherwise I am happy to lay in my dog bed. I had a family for a long time and I miss them. I hope I can find a new family who will love me just as much as I love them.
Wrigley – 116 days in the shelter
Adopted 16 days after posting his bio.
My foster mom says I’m an incredibly sweet, loving, well-behaved boy who deserves a wonderful family. I’ve only been in my foster home for a short time, but she’s already sure I’m going to grow into a truly amazing dog.
I go for a walk every day, and I’m pretty good on the leash! I still pull a little sometimes, but my foster mom is helping me learn how to be the best walker I can be. I’ve only ridden in the car once so far, but I was calm and well-behaved the whole time.
I’ve got good energy — playful and happy, but not wild or destructive. I love to play fetch (and I’m really good at it!). I always bring the ball back and let you pick it up — I don’t try and grab it before you do like some other dogs. I also love stuffed toys and will happily entertain myself running around the house with one in my mouth.
When I get excited to see you, I do some happy bounces, but I don’t jump on you. When I’m bouncy my foster mom tells me to sit and I listen right away. Because I’m a bigger guy and can get bouncy, I’d do best in a home with older children.
I’m house-trained and I take treats very gently. At night, I sleep peacefully in a dog bed next to my foster mom’s bed. I love playing with other dogs, but right now I am an only dog in my foster home and I am happy with that too. I don’t require another dog to be in the home.
I’m a young, energetic guy, but I do well when I get a daily walk and fetch time in the yard. I’d thrive in a home that can give me both. Once I’ve had my exercise I am happy to lounge around the house and take lots of naps. My foster mom says I’m a handsome, happy, smart boy who has so much love to give — and that all I want is to make my person as happy as they make me.
Chance – put on the euthanasia list, watch his joy when he got out!
Adopted 22 days after posting his bio.
Hi, my name is Chance and my foster mom says I am the best boy ever! I am housetrained and I am a good boy when she leaves me home alone in the house. I am a calm, quiet guy who does not require a lot of attention, but when you’re ready to pet me, I’m all in for the snuggles! I am not a toy crazy kind of boy, but once or twice a day I will grab a stuffie and entertain myself with it, tossing it in the air and catching it all by myself. I am a good boy in the car and I like to go on walks. I know how to sit, shake and I have almost mastered lay down. My favorite thing is when me and my mom hold hands; she’s says it’s so darn cute. I am going to be such a loving and loyal boy to my new family. I can’t wait to meet you and hold your hand.
Apollo – in the shelter for 86 days.
Adopted 9 days after posting his bio.
Hi, my name is Apollo. My foster mom says I am a well-behaved boy who is as gentle as a marshmallow! I am housetrained and I am a good boy when she leaves me alone in the house. I am a calm, quiet guy who does not require a lot of attention, but when you’re ready to pet me, I’m all in for the snuggles! I am a good boy in the car and I like to go on walks. I’m not interested in toys, but I love belly rubs. I know how to sit, shake and lay down and I love both kids and adults. My foster mom says I am as beautiful on the inside as I am on the outside. I am going to be such a loving and loyal boy to my new family.
Dakota – in the shelter for 187 days!
Adopted 8 days after posting her bio.
Hi, I’m Dakota! My foster mom says I’m a sweet and smart girl. I know how to sit, shake, lie down, and come when called. I’m very well-behaved—I don’t get on the furniture, and I don’t get into things I’m not supposed to. I’m housetrained and a good girl when left alone in the house. I’m a quiet, low-maintenance companion who doesn’t demand a lot of attention—but when you’re ready for snuggles, I’m all in! I ride well in the car, love going for walks, and enjoy chasing lizards in the yard. I’m not into fetch, but I do like soft toys and stuffies. I’d probably do best as your one and only pup, but I might do okay with slow introductions and plenty of decompression time.
Don’t Forget to Take a Good Photo
The bio is what sells the dog, but a photo is what makes a potential adopter click for more info. Most adopters start their search online, and the shelter intake photo often isn’t flattering. Dogs might be dirty, matted, scared, or poorly lit.
Tips for Taking a Good Photo
- Bathe and brush your foster dog before taking a photo
- Give them a day or two to get comfortable in your home
- You need them to sit still – they are often too excited to do this after first arriving home
- Choose a location with good lighting
- Ideally, take the picture indoors as opposed to out in your yard
- Adopters who see a dog in a home more easily envision that dog being in their home
- Choose a room with bright, cherry colors (if you have one)
- Cherry colors makes people feel happy when they see the dog
- Get a close up of the dog so they stand out, but make sure the background still looks “homey”
- Mouth open vs. Mouth closed
- Some dogs can look a little mean when their mouth is closed – even if they don’t have a mean bone in their body. Try both and select the one that makes them look the most friendly
Take a look at my foster dog, Chance. He was such a sweet boy, but when I took photos of him with his mouth closed, he looked a bit mean. But he wasn’t mean at all. So I got a photo of him with his mouth open. Look at how much friendlier he looks! This photo makes him much more appealing to potential adopters. This photo will make them click to see his bio.
Another example is Apollo. He is a giant, gentle marshmallow of a dog. So sweet and careful around small children. But the photo of him with his mouth closed makes him look just a tab bit mean. The photo of him with his mouth open and tongue showing, truly reflects the gentle, sweet dog he really is.
Got questions about fostering? I am happy to help by sharing my experiences and answering any questions you may have. Email me!
Author: Nicole Bolin
