Anyone familiar with Tinder knows that having a cute animal in your profile picture can really boost your chances of getting attention.
But what if the profile picture was just the adorable animal itself? And instead of a person looking for love, it was the dog or cat hoping to find their forever home?
This idea is gaining traction at some animal shelters.
“We're always looking for creative ways to get our shelter pets in front of potential adopters,” says Karen Hirsch, the public relations director at LifeLine Animal Project in Georgia.
This approach of online dating for pets might just be working. With around 6.5 million dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters annually, the competition for adoption is fierce. Shelters can't afford to wait passively for pets to be adopted.
As a result, you often see shelter animals showcased outside grocery stores, partnerships with services like Uber to bring puppies to you for playdates, and viral campaigns like dogs in pajamas.
Given that over 50 million people use Tinder, LifeLine and other shelters figured, “Why not give it a try?”
After all, people using dating apps are already seeking companionship, just in a different form.
Hirsch mentions that LifeLine recently set up dating profiles for 22 of their dogs and cats. They're also posting pet profiles on Bumble, which has around 20 million active users.
Each animal is paired with a volunteer who creates the profile and manages conversations after a match. This personal touch makes the pets stand out in a crowded shelter environment, giving potential adopters a chance to form a “virtual” connection.
The witty interactions are fun, too.
While LifeLine’s experiment is still in its early stages, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Not only are the apps helping to raise awareness about the importance of adopting shelter pets, but the animals have received numerous matches. Some users have even visited the shelter to meet their “match” in person, and one match has gone on to become a regular volunteer.
This new approach benefits the apps as well. Dating experts have noted that many people are becoming frustrated with online dating, dealing with terms like “ghosting” and “cushioning.” But with the chance to meet a lovable dog or cat, the motivation to keep swiping might just get a little more enjoyable.