Submitting a Success Story

Step 3: Write Your Narrative

The narrative is the heart of your success story. Write in your own voice and share what makes your adoption journey special.

What to Include

Consider covering these elements:

The Beginning:

• How did you discover the pet? (Browsing LBC, visiting the shelter, a friend's recommendation)
• What drew you to this particular pet? (Their photo, description, a special connection)
• What was the adoption process like? (Application, approval, meet-and-greet)

The Transition:

• What were the first few days like?
• Any challenges or funny moments during the adjustment period?
• How did other family members (human and furry) react?

The Happy Ending:

• How is your pet settling in now?
• What's their personality like at home vs. at the shelter?
• Favorite activities, toys, routines
• How has adopting enriched your life?

Writing Tips

• Be authentic — Write as you would speak; genuine stories resonate most
• Be specific — Share concrete moments (the first time they wagged their tail, the spot they chose for napping)
• Keep it positive — Even challenges can be framed as growth moments
• Length — 200-500 words is ideal; detailed enough to be meaningful but concise enough to read in a few minutes

Narrative Guidelines

• Your story must be true and accurate
• No profanity or inappropriate content
• No promotions for businesses or services
• No contact information (email, phone, address) in the story body
• Be respectful of the organization and their staff

Step 4: Review and Submit

Before submitting, review your story:

1. Check photo order and quality
2. Read through your narrative for errors
3. Verify the adoption date and pet details are correct
4. Click Preview to see how your story will look publicly
5. Make any final edits
6. Click Submit for Review

Step 5: Admin Review and Approval

After submission, your story enters the review process:

1. The adoption organization receives a notification of your submission
2. An organization admin reviews the story within 1-5 business days
3. They may request edits or changes (you'll be notified via email)
4. Once approved, the story is published to the Success Stories Gallery

If Approved

Congratulations! Your story is now live. You'll receive:

• An email confirmation with a link to your published story
• The option to share your story on social media
• A notification if your story is selected as a Featured Story

If Changes Are Requested

The organization may suggest edits for:

• Clarity or grammar
• Missing information
• Photo quality or appropriateness
• Alignment with organization policies

You can make edits and resubmit without going through the full application process again.

Editing Your Story After Submission

To edit a published story:

1. Go to your story page (find it under /success-stories or your profile)
2. Look for the Edit button (visible only to you and organization admins)
3. Make your changes to photos or narrative
4. Click Save Changes

Edits may trigger a re-review by the organization.

Feature Eligibility

Your story may be considered for featured status if it includes:

• High-quality, engaging photos (3+ recommended)
• A detailed, well-written narrative
• Unique or inspiring adoption circumstances
• Positive representation of the adoption process

Featured stories are chosen by LBC staff in coordination with organizations. There's no way to request featured status, but writing a heartfelt, well-documented story increases your chances.