Tinder for dogs: An app to choose the perfect pet
In what will come as good news for dog lovers, there exists an app through which you can date a 'dog', before adopting it. Inspired by Tinder, GetPet was launched last month in Lithuania. It fixes up a meeting between local shelter dogs and new owners, by featuring profiles of paw creatures looking up with their cute eyes. Swipe right, and find a date!
Vaidas Gecevicius, one of the app's creators, told media that the idea came to them when they saw a stray dog on the street during a computer workshop through the window. "It is like Tinder, but with dogs," Gecevicius said.
Once you spot a profile, scroll down and you'll find more information about the pup. Swipe right if you're interested. It joins the league of apps like PawsLikeMe and BarkBuddy, and has already attracted hundreds of new users every day. Although, for now, it only features dogs, the plan is to eventually include cats and other animals.
However, some people point out that the features of the app are limited as it is a one-sided situation. The four-legged creatures don't get to have a swiping experience and it's only at the human's hand. But, if you swipe left, another dog's profile appears.
Recently, two friends, Emily and Elena, checked out the app and visited the SOS Gyvunai shelter in Vilnius to meet a medium black-and-gray mongrel named Piff. The duo took him out for a walk in a snow-covered park. They seemed to have had a good time as they told the people at the shelter that they would return soon to take Piff home.
"I think it's actually a very great idea because in Lithuania we have a lot of stray dogs and a lot of people who want to adopt," 24-year-old Elena said.
Ilona Reklaityte, the shelter's founder, feels elated with the innovative app approach. "It gives us more chances to find our pets new owners and a new home...we can then help other dogs still on the streets," Reklaityte said. "We have 140 dogs right now. Sometimes we give away one or two of them every day, but now we receive (many) more calls," she added.
