There are so many of these “days” for pets, it’s difficult to keep track of them all. So I don’t usually share each and every one…every day is National Dog Day around our household anyway. However, this day, just like National Mutt Day, was started to help raise awareness of dogs in shelters needing homes, and we are always in favor of promoting that.
A Matchmaker for Adoptable Dogs
We learned of a new website, similar to Petfinder and Adopt-A-Pet, with a different twist, so thought we’d share about that for National Dog Day. PawsLikeMe is a search engine for adoptable pets like the others, but the twist is that they also include a “personality test” to help you find a dog that is compatible to your temperament and lifestyle.
This website’s founders include a veterinary animal behaviorist and a social worker with a psychology specialization. They came up with the personality assessment which claims a 90% accuracy rate in matching potential adopters to compatible pets. Co-founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes explains why they wanted to start this new platform: “70% of pets are re-homed more than once in their lifetime. Our genuine hope is that by providing a better way of matching pets with their new families, we can change that and find them not just a home, but the right home.”
This isn’t just some random formula they created, they actually have a proven algorithm that they use:
The quiz is short, and takes into account personality, lifestyle, and home environment. After you complete the questions, it gives you a paragraph describing “your ideal dog”. When I took the quiz, I found that paragraph to be pretty accurate as to what I would be looking for in a dog (if I were looking). You provide your zip code and it then brings up matches for you in your area. It would look like this:
You can then see the details on each dog, what percent you matched, and the percentage of how you matched in the areas of energy, focus, confidence, and independence. That page also includes a detailed paragraph of the adoptable dog’s personality alongside your ideal dog’s. There are links to share the dog on social media, and to contact the organization they are listed with. Organizations list their pets for free, and you would pay whatever the organization’s adoption fee is directly to them.
I think this seems like a fun way to look for an adoptable pet. When we’ve been looking for new pets, I’ve often taken online quizzes that would match me with a certain breed, and tools like that can always help. The only issue I have with this website at this time is that all of the dogs that came up for me were with the same rescue. I am familiar with this rescue, and their adoption fees are quite high, and their rules very strict. However, I am assured that PawsLikeMe is actively looking to expand their network of shelters and rescue partners. Since they only launched this month, I can see where it will take time to get the word out in order to have more sign on.
PawsLikeMe also offers a service to people looking to re-home their pet. The premise is that if a shelter is full, the shelter could refer people to this service, and then would receive 50% of the adoption fees charged when the pet is adopted. This could be a more comfortable way for families to re-home a pet when circumstances are tough (rather than just advertising somewhere and not knowing who you’ll get), plus the pet will be staying in their home until they are adopted. The family can know that their pet is going to a home that will be right for them. PawsLikeMe has a lot of terms and conditions in place to be sure that no puppy mills or other nefarious individuals can list pets with them (if you re-home a pet through them, you cannot receive any adoption fees). Their adoption fee for re-homed animals is only $75, which I think is very reasonable.
In addition, their adoption package includes free 30-day full coverage pet insurance, as well as more than $100 in pet product discounts and coupons. They offer adopters the opportunity to create an online profile that can get them advice, resources, and products, and integrates with other social networks like Facebook and YouTube.
At this time, PawsLikeMe only has adoptable dogs on their site, but they are looking to add cats as well in the future! So if you are looking to add a dog to your family, why not give this website a try? You may find the perfect match!
You can also follow PawsLikeMe on Facebook.
I like the test, people should really research before getting a dog maybe this would help them out.
I’m certainly not looking for another dog right now; but it sounds like a great option for folks who are. I shared it on my FB page.
Thanks for sharing, Sue! And keep it in mind if you ever are thinking about it in the future.
I’ve been thinking of you, and hoping you are doing OK.
Thanks Jan! We’re okay considering we lost our sweet girl way too soon. All the love, support, and prayers left in the comments of my blog post and FB posts – and some texts, emails – have really been a big help.
Poor Shadow seems so lost without her big sister. They were almost always together for all but the first seven weeks of her life. Ducky misses her buddy, too. Shadow doesn’t want to play with her yet. I hope that will change at some point. But they both play with Sam and me. And Ducky has her daycare buddies. I’m giving Shadow all the extra love and attention I can to keep her spirits up. And that helps keep my own spirits up.
I think this is a time when having multiple dogs is such a big help – it gives you something to focus on.
When we lost our golden Moses (Sheba’s littermate – also to cancer) Sheba stuck pretty close to me for a couple of weeks. But in time things got back to normal for her.
I’m so glad you’ve had a lot of support – that helps so much!!
Are you kidding? I CANNOT look at dogs, I’d adopt them all. LOL
I do like this idea, sometimes it is really difficult matching the dog/person. Anything that we can do to make the return rate less, is a good thing!
Is that 70 percent figure for animals adopted from a shelter? I know a lot of people with dogs and very few have been rehomed. Well below 70%.
I took the quiz and you are right and all the dogs were from the same shelter and they gave me mostly pugs????
That is the way I took it, and I would think it would have to be. I would imagine that more dogs are returned to shelters and rescues, and not many to breeders. Most people adopting a breed have done their research, don’t you think?
It sounds like this will do much better once they get more shelters and rescues signed up. In the meantime, the shelters and rescues are still going to do their best to be sure their pets go to the right home, and I would hope people would still use common sense when choosing a pet.
What, you don’t want to take a pug hunting? LOL
What a great idea. It’s so important that everyone’s personalities match up so that doggy (or kitty, bunny, whatever furry) gets a suitable home and the humans get a pet that fits in with their lifestyle.
Wow, 70%?! What a great idea that is! Would be great if this sort of thing could cut down on pets being turned in to shelters!
I think anything that could potentially help is a bonus!
What a great idea! We hope humans who may be looking for a dog will take advantage of it and find the purrfect dog instead of adopting one that might not be the right fit.
I definitely love this idea. So many people only see a cute puppy they want to adopt without having researched the breed and its physical & mental exercise requirements!
That is an interesting idea as long as it is doing a good job of matching.
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it and happy national dog day!
I am loving this!!! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Happy National Dog Day!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I absolutely LOVE this concept! Thank you for sharing!
DakotasDen
You’re welcome! Thank you for sharing on social media as well!
THis is such a great idea! It could make a huge difference in rescued and returned dogs!
What a great idea. We wish we could take all the furry friends home
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
So do we!!
When mom filled out the adoption application for me they asked those types of questions. Anything to keep pets in forever homes is a good thing. Love Dolly
We totally agree! Yes, some of the questions are the same ones we got asked by our rescue as well before adopting Luke.
that’s a great idea and a fabulous way to find new homes for our furfriends in need… and I bet we can learn alot about ourselves when we find out what dog is the perfect match :o)
I think you’re right, Easy! Some of the questions really make you stop and think about what you are looking for in a companion.