German Animal Shelter Puts Pets on Tinder
A German animal shelter has found a new way to find homes for pets who need them — by using the dating app Tinder.
Looking for a way to get younger people interested in getting a pet, the Munich Animal Welfare Association has put 15 dogs and cats on the dating app. To make the animals look as good as possible, the shelter is even working with the Territory advertising agency to take photos of them and help to create their profiles.
If someone "matches" with one of the animals, a chatbot asks them questions to see if they would be good owners. For example, the chatbot asks if the person has a garden.
Jillian Moss from the shelter told Reuters that the response has been very good. Moss said that several people have contacted the shelter to arrange their first "date" with one of the animals.
However, one good date doesn't mean someone is getting a pet. The shelter says possible new pet owners will have to spend time getting to know the animal before it decides whether or not they can take the cat or dog home.
The shelter also chose to make Tinder profiles for dogs and cats that are a little older and have a history, instead of just doing it for cute little baby animals.
Benjamin Beilke from Territory said they hope the animals find perfect homes with the right owners who will keep them forever and not just for a few weeks.
