Encourage Writing with Pet Picture Writing Prompts

I have a lot of magic tricks in my bag when it comes to creative writing lessons. One of my favorites is using pictures to inspire creative writing.

Students love animals. This set of Pet Picture Writing Prompts will provide countless writing ideas for your students.

Even unenthusiastic writers may push their pencils across the page when they find out that they get to write about pets.

Animals Included in the Pet Picture Writing Prompts

This set of 26 picture writing prompts includes the following pets:

hedgehog
cats (and kittens)
birds
hamsters
guinea pig
dogs (and puppies)
rabbits
lizards
snake
hermit crab

Use the Pictures to Create Missing Pet Posters

Students can use the picture prompts for a variety of writing projects including a missing pet poster.

Students will imagine they are the owner of the pet in the photo, and, unfortunately, the pet is missing.

First, discuss the purpose of a missing pet poster. When a pet is lost, owners make missing pet posters with the intention of drawing attention to the sign. The owner wants people to look, notice, and remember if they have seen the missing pet.

What is the best way to get people’s attention? Bright colors, large words, and important phrases will help people notice the missing pet poster.

Next, discuss what important information should be included on the missing pet poster. Ask students for their input. Make sure to cover all of these points:

A picture of the pet
A phrase that instantly captures people’s attention
A phone number of who to call

For this writing exercise, you can also require your students to include the pet’s name and a brief (2-3 sentences) description of the pet. This could include what the pet looks like as well as some of the pet’s personality traits.

Be sure to provide large paper, crayons, markers, and other art supplies your students would enjoy in order to complete this project.

Other Ways to Use the Pet Picture Writing Prompts

You can use these pet pictures in other creative writing exercises, too.

Write a Description

Describe the pet. Encourage students to write 3-5 sentences describing the pet in their picture. What is the pet’s name? What is the pet’s personality? Can the pet do any funny tricks? Why do you like or dislike this pet?

Write a Short Story

Advanced students may be ready for this straightforward prompt: Write a short story based on the picture. Discuss possible conflicts before your students begin. What are some conflicts (or problems) that can pertain to pets?

Pets get sick.
What diseases can pets have? Do they ever injure themselves? This could be a potential problem for your student’s short story. Will the pet need to go to the vet? Will the vet fix the problem?
Pets get lost.
A pet can get lost in the house (especially little pets like mice and hamsters). They can also get lost outside of the house.
Parents don’t want pets, but kids do.
Your student could write a story about a child who desperately desires a pet, but the parent doesn’t think the child is responsible. What will happen? Will the child prove herself? Will she be able to get the pet? How?