Problem

Of the approximately 7.6 million companion animals entering animal shelters nationwide every year, approximately 2.7 million are euthanized. The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. With these issues in mind, I set out to create a solution.

Understanding the problem

I began the project with online research to learn more about the topic and gather more information for my initial thoughts. I was particularly interested in first-hand experiences and the pain points of the pet adoption process. Along the way, my research helped me uncover additional issues.

Why do people surrender animals?

What is the process of adopting a pet?

What kinds of animals do shelters have?

Who tends to adopt pets the most?

Why do people prefer to shop vs adopt a pet? What kind of hesitations do people have?

Goals

With these insights in mind, I determined the high-level goals of the new app:

1. Simplify the process of adopting a pet
2. Help potential adopters to find a pet that fits their lifestyle
3. Dispel the myths regarding shelters and shelter animals

 

• Year 2021
• Services Product design