Israel’s ‘Tinder for pets’ is helping shelter animals match with loving homes

A new Israeli initiative, Adopt Me Israel, is revolutionizing how shelter animals find loving homes by employing a tech-based approach akin to a dating app. Founded by Ela Sayag Lipman, the nonprofit aims to bring order to the often chaotic system of animal welfare organizations struggling to manage and rehome pets.

Lipman, who previously worked in hi-tech quality assurance, was inspired to create a digital platform after encountering difficulties finding a home for a rescued dog named Namer. She observed that hundreds of shelters and charities, each with their own fragmented online presence, lacked a centralized system for data management and communication. This led her to develop "Adopt Me Israel," a platform designed as a "Tinder for dogs and cats looking for homes."

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There are hundreds of shelters and charities, even businesses like pet pensions, that try to help dogs by taking them in and finding them new homes. They each have their own Facebook or Instagram page or WhatsApp group. The data is not sorted or updated. Everything is done manually, with no management system beyond an Excel sheet, and no communication with local government authorities.

The platform meticulously collects, organizes, and analyzes data on pets needing adoption. It facilitates matches based on crucial factors such as an animal's personality, an adopter's lifestyle, family situation, and specific needs. Lipman has assembled a team of over 80 volunteers from diverse sectors, including hi-tech, marketing, design, and animal welfare, to support the initiative. The organization also collaborates with national and local government officials to address the growing population of stray and abandoned animals.

Adopt Me Israel's efforts gained urgency following the events of October 7, which overwhelmed shelters in areas like Sderot with numerous animals from surrounding towns and Gaza. The initiative strives to create efficiency for the benefit of the animals, potential adopters, and municipalities grappling with the challenges of animal welfare.

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so this was the format that came to mind: a ‘Tinder’ for dogs and cats looking for homes.