PetSmart Charities and Deutsch LA Support Crowded Shelters with AI Tools “Rescue Writer” Ahead of National Adoption Week Nov. 6-12

Just in time for National Adoption Week, Nov. 6-12, nonprofit PetSmart Charities is leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to encourage adoptions. In partnership with Deutsch LA, an award-winning creative agency, the entities are providing shelters with access to Rescue Writer. The free tool helps shelter staff and volunteers write attention-grabbing, heartwarming and editable bios, promising to increase pets’ chances of finding people to love.

By simply entering a few personality traits, Rescue Writer churns out quirky, sweet and attention-getting bios for each pet. Creative storytelling has the power to pique the interests of potential adopters to schedule “meet and greets” to determine ideal matches. For example, Henri is a 10-year-old at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in Phoenix, Arizona. Rescue Writer generated the following bio to entice his perfect match:

“Meet Henri, a senior dog with a heart of gold. His personality is as mellow as a summer’s day and as gentle as a lullaby. He’s sweet, loyal and so cuddly that you’ll never feel lonely with him around. Henri’s idea of a perfect day involves lounging on the couch, enjoying the quiet moments and giving you his undivided attention. He’s the ideal companion for those who appreciate the slower, more relaxed pace of life. Adopting Henri means welcoming a friend who will cherish your company, bring tranquility to your home and fill your days with the purest form of love. Don’t let his senior status fool you — Henri still has plenty of love to give and is eagerly waiting for his loving home where he can spend his golden years showering his new family with affection.”

“We’re thankful to our friends at Deutsch LA for creating such an easy-to-use, accessible way to evolve the time-consuming job of writing bios,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement at PetSmart Charities. “We’re thrilled to make Rescue Writer available to shelters across the nation; the tool promises to help more pets — and especially seniors in need of warm homes in their golden years — faster.”

Each year, more than 6 million pets find their way into shelters. Many of them now face extended stays, stretching shelters’ already limited resources. During PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, local shelter partners bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores across the nation in hopes of finding new homes for tens of thousands of adoptable pets.

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week in November coincides with National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Older pets are often overlooked because of future health risks and concerns about ingrained behaviors but they make ideal companions for those looking for certain attributes. PetSmart Charities encourages potential pet parents to consider the benefits of inviting an adult pet to join their pack:

• Bonding with senior pets can be a bit easier as they’re more likely to be calmer, more experienced and house-trained.
• For those in search of a fellow “couch potato” to watch movies with or even to lay low while working, senior pets can be the perfect match.
• Whether it’s their preferences or their personalities, pets in the golden years can be easier to read.
• Living with senior pets can inspire their people to slow down and take time to stop and smell the roses.
• Adopting senior pets ensures peace and better health in their final years and helps shelters to ease overcrowding.

“Stemming from the insight that shelter animals with well-defined backstories are more likely to find their forever home, we set out to leverage the power of AI for good,” said Ivan Perez-Armendariz, EVP/head of digital experience, Deutsch LA. “PetSmart Charities plays such an important role in this space. Giving them and animal shelters new tools to make a substantial difference has been incredibly gratifying.”

As National Adoption Week approaches, PetSmart Charities is encouraging communities to find a PetSmart store nearby and open their home to a pet in need. For those not ready to expand their families, donations are welcome at PetSmart Charities.