#CALL A PET #German Animal Welfare #AI in Adoption

Using AI to Address Shelter Overpopulation

On October 4th, the German Animal Welfare Federation (Deutscher Tierschutzbund) is set to unveil an innovative project titled 'CALL A PET' in celebration of World Animal Day. This initiative, created in partnership with Philipp und Keuntje, aims to address the issue of overcrowded shelters by fostering deeper connections between animals and potential adopters.

With the power of artificial intelligence, CALL A PET allows animals in shelters to communicate their personalities and preferences directly to prospective owners through a unique telephone service. This approach represents a shift away from traditional adoption methods that often prioritize an animal's appearance over its personality. A study by Appinio revealed that a staggering 96% of individuals choose pets based primarily on their looks, which can frequently lead to mismatched adoptions and contribute to the rising number of animals in shelters.

Lea Schmitz, a spokesperson for the German Animal Welfare Federation, emphasizes the importance of personality in the adoption process. “A beautiful coat or big eyes says nothing about an animal's true character. We hope to change that with our new initiative.” By repositioning personality at the center of the adoption process, this project strives to ensure more meaningful connections between pets and their new families.

How It Works

The CALL A PET service enables individuals to call designated phone numbers where they can