Words Matter—not just in the stories we tell about dogs, but in the everyday language we use across shelters, rescues, and advocacy efforts. That’s why we’re proud to announce the release of our new Words Matter Term Usage Guide—a practical, compassionate tool designed specifically for shelter professionals, and animal advocates.
This guide was created because the words we use aren’t just about communication—they shape perception, policy, and, ultimately, outcomes for animals. Language often reflects habit more than truth. We get used to saying what’s familiar, but familiar doesn’t always mean accurate or kind. Terms like “shelter dog,” “stray,” or “aggressive” may roll off the tongue, but they can carry heavy implications that don’t serve the animals—or the people—behind the story.
The Words Matter Guide encourages us to pause and examine not only what we say but also why we say it.
Here are just a few examples you’ll find in the guide:
Instead of “shelter dog”, try “dog living in a shelter”—a small shift that reinforces the dog’s individuality and temporary situation.
Replace “abandoned” or “dumped” with “came into care”, a phrase that reflects compassion rather than assumption.
Say “adoption survey” rather than “adoption application” to create a more welcoming, non-judgmental experience for potential adopters.
Use “overwhelmed caregiver” rather than “hoarder”, especially when discussing complex cases with empathy and understanding.
We’ve also included a section on Myths and Legends Dogs—a term we use to describe dogs stuck in the system due to labels or assumptions that don’t reflect their actual behavior. Dogs like Cindy, who spent four years in a shelter due to an outdated note in her file, only to be adopted shortly after someone took a fresh look.
And here’s where we need your help.
This is a living, evolving resource—and we want it to grow with your input. Have a term you think should be added? Something your team says that could be rephrased to better reflect your mission and values? We’re inviting you to submit suggestions for the next version of the guide. Language evolves—and so should our approach.
To make it even easier to share this work, we’ve created a social media toolkit with ready-to-use graphics and posts. You can help advance thoughtful communication in sheltering by sharing the guide with your community. Let’s work together to normalize thoughtful, inclusive, and accurate language across the animal sheltering field.
- Download or View the Words Matter Term Usage Guide
- Submit a term suggestion for the next edition
- Grab the social media toolkit and share with your audience
Together, we can shift the conversation—and that can make all the difference for the animals and people we serve.
