EMPETHY- First search engine for a conscious adoption

Empethy is a digital free platform that aims to facilitate the meeting between demand (pet owner) and offer (shelter dog, dog's association, volunteer, etc.) relating to the adoption of animals throughout the Italian territory. This platform will definitely give the possibility to carry out a questionnaire aimed at detecting the level of compatibility between the potential future owner of the dog/cat and the corresponding alter ego.

The matching query is based on a series of questions related to the habits, lifestyles, and personality traits of the prospective owner, compared to the corresponding characteristics of the dog/cat.

Each animal has its own history and needs, which will become characteristics that meet lifestyle and needs of the future owner.

Empethy’s ads are built with the aim of highlighting these characteristics in a clear and detailed manner, to accompany and support future adopters in the process of choice. The complexity of the human-animal relationship requires an interdisciplinary approach with a view to one welfare, and it is important to create a network around new adopters through the internet platform. Several studies show, in fact, that not all human-dog relationships are healthful, leading to the creation of dysfunctional bond that result in kennel abandonment and behavioural problems. One of the main causes underlying such an issue is attributed to a mismatch between dog characteristics (age, breed, size, health, character, behavior), and owner's expectations. Mismatch often occurs when the owner has not made a fully conscious and reflective choice, also driven by an "impulsive adoption", or following purely aesthetic canons. Therefore, this platform points to make it possible, reducing the impact of expectations bias through the "perfect match" through behavioural screening and evaluation tools.