CityPups
A Pet Adoption Platform Designed for City Living
City Pups is a website that helps people living in cities find the right dog to adopt by matching them based on lifestyle, living space, and daily routines. By simplifying the discovery and adoption process, City Pups aims to increase successful adoptions and create better long- term matches between dogs and their owners.
Role:
UX Researcher & Product Designer
Durations: Design Sprint
Project Type: Concept Project
Problem
People living in cities struggle to find the right dog to adopt due to unique challenges such as limited space, busy schedules, and restricted access to outdoor areas.
Existing adoption platforms provide large databases of pets but often fail to:
Help users determine which dog fits their lifestyle
Provide clear,consistent pet information
Simplify the adoption process
As a result, users feel overwhelmed, and may abandon the process altogether.
Solution
Personalized Matching Over Endless Browsing
Matching quiz based on lifestyle, activity level, living space, and experience
Curated recommendations instead of overwhelming search results
Badges showing apartment living, active lifestyle, first-owners
Clarity Builds Confidence
Detailed pet profiles with personality, energy level, and lifestyle fit
Clear adoptions steps and resources to reduce confusion
Consistent, easy to scan information across all listings
Simplified Adoption Process
Simplified inquiry resources
Direct connection to shelters and rescue organizations
ResearchLet’s Dig Deeper into the Problem
User Research + Competitive Analysis
Through research and interviews, City Pups identified the urban users struggle with:
Limited living space
Busy Schedules
Transportation and access to outdoor areas
To better understand the landscape, I conducted a competitive analysis of leading platforms like Petfinder and Adopt-a-pet.com.
What Works Well
Petfinder
Large database of adoptable pets
Advanced filtering (breed, size, age, location)
Saved searches and alerts
Clean and user-friendly interface
Detailed pet profiles and stories
New pet alerts and rehoming features
Key Gaps Identified
Inconsistent pet information across listings
Overwhelming browsing experience with too many options
Limited guidance on which dog is the right fit
Unclear adoption steps and communication delays
InsightsKey UX Insights
Search Alone Isn’t Enough
Users more than filters, they need guidance in choosing the right dog.
Detailed Profile Build Trust
Clear, consistent pet information helps users feel confident adopting.
Insight Summary
Notifications Drive Engagement
Alerts keep users engaged and returning to the platform.
Research revealed that users feel overwhelmed by too many options and lack of confidence in choosing the right dog. While existing platforms focus on search, they fail to support decision-making and lifestyle.
How Might We...Help city residents find the right dog for their lifestyle by simplifying discovery, improving clarity, and guiding them through the adoption process?
Design
Initial Direction
Based on research insights, I focused on creating a guided, user-friendly experience rather than a traditional search heavy platform.
DesignDog Matching Quiz
Helps users find dogs based on lifestyle and living situation
Reduces overwhelm and decision fatigue
Allows users to see Badges for dogs (great for apartments, I like to run, great First)
Highlights key traits like energy level and space needs
Comparison & Recommendation System
Enhanced Pet Profiles
Personality descriptions
Lifestyle compatibility Tags
Clear, consistent information
What People Are Saying
Find Your Perfect Pup
Personalized matching based on your lifestyle
Browse Adoptable Dogs
Explore curated listings with clear filters
Pet Profile
View detailed information, personality traits, and compatibility
Key Benefits
Reduces decision fatigue for users
Improves confidence in adoption choices
Increases successful matches between dogs and owner
Supports shelters by connecting them with better fit adopters
What I'd Do DifferentlyWhat I’d Do Differently Next Time
Focus More on Decision-Making Early
While search and browsing are important, the biggest opportunity lies in helping users choose the right dog faster.
Continue Testing Matching Accuracy
Further testing would help refine how well the quiz and recommendations align with real user needs.
Expand Communication Features
Improving communication between adopters and shelters could reduce delays and improve the overall experience.
Final Reflection