Bonded Pets Management

Understanding Bonded Pets

Bonded pets are animals that have developed strong connections and should remain together for their emotional well-being. Common examples include:

• Littermates that have never been separated
• Long-term companions from the same household
• Pets that rely on each other for emotional support
• Animals that show signs of distress when separated

Creating Bonded Pet Relationships

Marking Pets as Bonded

1. Go to any pet's profile page
2. Click the Edit button
3. Scroll to the "Bonded Pets" section
4. Click "Add Bonded Pet"
5. Search for and select the pet(s) that are bonded with this one
6. Save the changes

The system will automatically create a reciprocal bond, linking both pets together.

Viewing Bonded Relationships

Once pets are marked as bonded:

1. A special icon (chain or link symbol) appears on their profile
2. Clicking this icon shows all bonded companions
3. Each pet's profile displays thumbnails of their bonded pets
4. Clicking a thumbnail navigates to that pet's profile

Bonded Pet Visibility

On Pet Profiles

When viewing a pet with bonded companions:

1. Look for the bond indicator icon near the pet's name
2. Click the icon to see a popup showing all bonded pets
3. Each bonded pet displays:

• Name
• Photo
• Basic information
• Link to their full profile

In Search Results

Bonded pets are clearly identified in search results:

1. The bond icon appears on their listing
2. Hovering over the icon shows bonded companions
3. Filtering options allow searching specifically for bonded/unbonded pets
4. Sort options can prioritize bonded pets in listings

Managing Bonded Pets

Bonded pets require special attention to ensure they stay together. While the system tracks bonded relationships, coordination of their care requires manual oversight by staff.

Foster Placements for Bonded Pets

When placing bonded pets in foster care:

1. Manually check that the foster home can accommodate all bonded pets
2. Create foster assignments for each bonded pet
3. Add notes to indicate which pets should stay together
4. Communicate the bonded relationship to the foster family

Adoption Process for Bonded Pets

Promoting Bonded Adoptions

Bonded pets are clearly marked in public profiles with a special icon. When potential adopters view a bonded pet, they can see which other pets are part of the bonded group.

Processing Adoptions

When processing adoptions for bonded pets:

1. Create adoption applications for each bonded pet
2. Manually ensure all bonded pets are adopted to the same family
3. Add notes to adoption records about the bonded relationship
4. Consider offering adoption fee discounts for bonded pairs

Modifying Bonded Relationships

To modify bonded relationships:

1. Navigate to either pet's profile
2. Click "Edit"
3. In the Bonded Pets section, add or remove pets from the bonded group
4. Save your changes

The system will update the relationship for all affected pets.

Best Practices for Bonded Pets

Housing

Keep bonded pets together in:

• Same kennel or adjacent kennels when possible
• Same playgroup sessions
• Same room for cats or small animals
• Consistent location to reduce stress

Marketing Bonded Pets

To effectively promote bonded pets:

1. Take photos of the pets together
2. Include information about their bond in descriptions
3. Share their story on social media
4. Highlight the benefits of adopting bonded pets