Bridging the Gap Between Shelters, Adopters, and Pet Owners
As the UX Designer and Researcher, I led every phase of this project:
Conducted user research and interviews.
Designed and tested wireframes and prototypes.
Crafted user personas, empathy maps, and information architecture.
Built a high-fidelity prototype and conducted usability testing.
Context
Problem
Millions of animals remain in shelters each year, while potential adopters face barriers like disorganized processes, lack of guidance, and difficulty finding compatible pets. Pet owners, too, often struggle to access reliable care and resources, leaving the ecosystem disconnected.
Solution
Buddy provides an intuitive platform where adopters find their perfect match, shelters gain visibility, and pet owners access resources like training, walkers, and vet care. The app fosters a holistic pet ecosystem built on connection and trust.
Understanding the Problem
The project began with thorough research to grasp the complexities of the pet adoption ecosystem.
Through an extensive review of articles, reports, and online resources about pet adoption, shelter operations, and pet ownership challenges, I identified key issues:
1
Adoption Barriers: Over 6.5 million pets enter shelters annually, yet only about half find homes, often due to inefficient matching processes.
2
Owner Struggles: 62% of new pet owners feel overwhelmed due to insufficient support post-adoption.
3
Resource Accessibility: Finding reliable pet care services (walkers, trainers, sitters) is a common pain point for 70% of pet owners.
4
Shelter Challenges: Limited visibility and fundraising hinder many shelters, with 40% relying on community donations alone.
We conducted a online survey with 43 participants and interviews with 3 Potential adopters, 2 Pet owners and 2 NGO workers
67%
of potential adopters find the current adoption process disorganized or unclear
70 %
of participants said they would adopt/foster if they had clearer guidance and resources.
72 %
of pet owners struggle to locate trusted services for pet care
78 %
of shelter workers believe digital platforms could boost visibility and adoption rates.
78 %
of shelter workers believe digital platforms could boost visibility and adoption rates.
78 %
of shelter workers believe digital platforms could boost visibility and adoption rates.
Breakdown of problems
Disconnected Adoption Process
Limited transparency and inefficient matching methods hinder successful adoptions.
Lack of Support for New Owners
New pet owners often feel overwhelmed and struggle to find reliable resources.
Fragmented Pet Care Services
Finding trustworthy pet care providers can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
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