Anyone who’s ever used Tinder knows that featuring a cute animal in your profile is a solid strategy. But what if the adorable pet wasn’t just a prop—but the one actually looking for love?
That’s exactly the idea some animal shelters are testing out.
“We are always trying to come up with creative new ways to get our shelter dogs in front of potential adopters,” says Karen Hirsch, public relations director at LifeLine Animal Project in Georgia.
Swiping Right on Shelter Pets
The pet adoption world is highly competitive, with about 6.5 million dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters each year, all in need of loving homes. Simply waiting and hoping they get adopted isn’t enough. That’s why shelters are constantly finding new ways to get their animals noticed, from pop-up adoption events outside grocery stores to partnerships that bring puppies directly to workplaces for playtime.
So why not try online dating? With around 50 million people using Tinder and another 20 million on Bumble, shelters figure some of those users might just fall in love—with a furry soulmate instead of a human one.
Hirsch says LifeLine created dating-style profiles for 22 of their dogs and cats, while other shelters have been testing similar strategies.
A Volunteer-Led Love Connection
Each pet is paired with a volunteer who creates their dating profile and handles messages from potential matches.
“In a crowded shelter, pets often get overlooked, but on a dating app, the animal becomes an individual,” Hirsch explains. “People learn about them and form a ‘virtual' attachment.”
Plus, the playful back-and-forth with adopters makes for some entertaining conversations.
Though still a new experiment, Hirsch says the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The animals are getting plenty of matches, and people are even reaching out to visit their “date” in person. One match even became a regular shelter volunteer.
A Bright Spot in the Online Dating World
The effort isn’t just benefiting the pets—it’s also adding some much-needed joy to dating apps. Many users have grown weary of online dating, dealing with trends like ghosting and breadcrumbing. But now, swiping through profiles could lead to something even better than romance—the perfect pet companion.
So whether you’re searching for love or just