To manage bonded pairs and litters in rescue software, link the animals on their profiles so the relationship follows them into every placement. In PawPlacer, the family tab links bonded companions, parents, offspring, siblings and littermates, and PawPlacer includes bonded companions automatically when you select one for a foster assignment or adoption.
Bonded pairs and litters are easy to separate by accident. A coordinator sees one cat available, assigns it to a foster and only later realizes its sister was meant to go too. In spreadsheets, the relationship lives in a note that nobody reads at the right moment.
This guide from the PawPlacer team explains how to keep related animals together at every step, at no cost.
At a Glance
- Family tab: bonded companions, parents, offspring, siblings and littermates.
- Placement: bonded companions are included when you select a bonded pet.
- Visibility: companions appear on the family tab and pet profiles.
- Control: editors and admins can remove a bond if it was linked incorrectly.
- Cost: free with every PawPlacer account.
Why Linked Relationships Matter
- Bonded pairs may struggle when separated.
- Litters move through care on the same schedule.
- Adopters need clear information about joint placement.
- History should show where related animals went.
1. Create the Bonded Relationship
Open the pet's profile, go to the family tab, choose link, select the companion and the relationship type, then save. PawPlacer supports bonded companions as well as parents, offspring, siblings and litter context.
2. Group Littermates
Use the litter relationship to group littermates. A pet belongs to one litter at a time, and adding it to another litter moves it out of its previous one along with its sibling and parent links.
3. Keep the Bond Visible
Bonded companions appear on the family tab and in each pet's profile, so anyone opening the record sees the relationship right away.
4. Place Bonded Pets Together
When you start a foster assignment or select pets of interest on an application, PawPlacer includes bonded companions in the selection flow, so pairs are placed together by default.
Foster capacity limits count every animal, so a foster with one open spot will not be assigned a bonded pair.
5. Explain Joint Placement to Adopters
The bond itself is an internal record. Add adopter-facing details to the pet's public description, such as a note that the pair must be adopted together. AI pet description writing can help draft that copy.
6. Track Care for the Whole Litter
Each littermate has its own medical record, weight log and feeding schedule, while the litter link keeps them connected. Recurring reminders show when the whole litter is due for vaccines.
7. Correct Mistakes Safely
Editors, privileged members and admins can remove a bond if it was linked incorrectly or no longer applies. Volunteers can see relationships but cannot change them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet be in more than one litter?
No. A pet belongs to one litter at a time.
Will PawPlacer stop us from separating a bonded pair?
PawPlacer includes bonded companions automatically in foster and adoption selection, and staff make the final decision.
Can volunteers edit bonded relationships?
No. Volunteers can view relationships, but editing is limited to editors, privileged members and admins.
Get Started With PawPlacer
PawPlacer keeps bonded pairs and litters together from intake to adoption, with linked relationships that follow every animal into every placement.
Create your free PawPlacer account today.