Episode 2

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Published on:

4th Jul 2025

2: How to Make Your Pet Adoption Application Stand Out

In this episode of Tales and Tones, host Mariska Nell discusses the challenges of pet adoption applications, especially during high-demand periods. She shares valuable tips on how to craft a standout application, emphasizing the importance of treating it like a job application, telling a personal story, and being honest about one's lifestyle and living situation. The episode also highlights the significance of community support in pet rescue and adoption, featuring heartwarming stories of individuals who have gone above and beyond for their pets.

Takeaways:

  • Adoption applications can receive hundreds of submissions.
  • It's crucial to make your application stand out.
  • Adopting a pet is a long-term commitment, not a whim.
  • Treat your application like a job application.
  • Tell a personal story to connect with the rescues.
  • Be honest about your lifestyle and living situation.
  • Show that you've done your research on the pet's needs.
  • Be transparent about any past pet experiences.
  • Provide references to demonstrate responsibility.
  • Follow up politely after submitting your application.

Relevant links mentioned in the episode:

Review on Podcahaser

Join our newsletter

Tails and Tones Instagram

No Pup Cleft Behind

Paris Hilton's Chihuahua, Harajuku

Piper's Frog Beanie

Meet your Dog Book By Kim Brophey

Where Tails meet heart - Sittie and the 3 Snouts and Their Abouts

Eroc Dog

Shareable images or clickable social shares:

Coming in the next episode:

In the next episode, we’re talking about dog manuals—not ones that come with your pet (though we wish they did!), but the one you create for sitters, friends, or day cares when you're away. So stay tuned!

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Pet Adoption Applications

[04:01] Understanding the Role of Rescues

[07:49] Top Tips for a Standout Application

[16:24] Navigating the Application Process

[24:47] Where Tails Meet Hearts Segment Stories from the Pet Community

[27:47] Celebrating our Paw-lebrity of the Week - ErocDog, skating with Tony Hawk

Show artwork for Tails and Tones

About the Podcast

Tails and Tones
Helpful tips, heartwarming tails, and honest reviews for the busy pet parent.
Helpful tips, heart-warming tales, and honest reviews for the busy dog parent — with our first product launching in Q1 2026! (Elevated food and water station)

Be First to See Our First Product, an elevated bowl - Join the wait list here https://tailsandtoneselevated.carrd.co/ />


After struggling to find sustainable, well-designed options for her own pup—and digging deep into the pet industry during her Master’s in Sustainable Design—Mariska realized she was searching for products that simply didn’t exist.



She realized that if these products didn’t exist yet, maybe it was her turn to help bring them to life.



That mission sparked both the upcoming product line and the creation of Tails & Tones.



Being a dog mom is the best—but let’s be real, it can also be confusing, messy, and a little lonely sometimes. That’s why the podcast was born: a warm, practical corner of the internet for intentional, busy dog parents.



Every Friday, host Mariska (fellow dog parent, dog-obsessed human, and sustainability-driven designer) delivers short, soulful episodes filled with dog-care tips, honest product reviews, inspiring stories, and real-life advice you can actually use.



And now the next chapter begins:
Our very first Tails & Tones product launches in early 2026! Thoughtfully designed, sustainability-led, and made for modern dog parents like you.
Alongside the elevated food & water station, we currently have three additional products in R&D, all created with the same intentional, sustainable approach.
Be the first to know when our first product go live — join the waitlist here
https://tailsandtoneselevated.carrd.co/ />


We are also developing our second product an indoor potty station. If you’ve struggled with leaky pads, smelly fake grass, or 3AM elevator trips in pajamas, this is the solution you’re going to want early access to. Join the waitlist for our game-changing indoor potty station./

https://indoorpottystation.carrd.co/


Listen on your favorite podcast app—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, or anywhere you tune in. You can also subscribe directly at https://tailsandtones.com/listen



If something in the show speaks to you—or you know a fellow dog parent who’d love it—please share it and leave a review on https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/tails-and-tones-6086657



Got questions or just want to say hi? I’m always around on Instagram @tailsandtones



Where every tail tells a story, and every tone speaks from the heart.



Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailsandtones/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailsandtones
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TailsandTones
Website: https://www.TailsandTones.com
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About your host

Profile picture for Mariska Nell

Mariska Nell

Mariska Nell is a podcast host, pet advocate, sustainability expert, and proud dog mom to her rescue French Bulldog, Piper—also known as the real boss of the house. With a background in design and environmental science, and a Master’s in Sustainable Design focused on the pet industry, Mariska brings heart, humor, and purpose to everything she creates.

She’s the founder and host of Tails and Tones, a soulful podcast for intentional pet parents, where she shares insights, stories, and reviews that help make pet care a little easier and a lot more joyful. She also hosts Mama Earth Talk, where she dives into sustainability topics with changemakers from around the world.

Whether she’s recording episodes, consulting on pet-focused sustainability projects, or out on a walk with Piper, Mariska is passionate about creating a better world—for pets, their people, and the planet.