From cell blocks to kennels: The surprising tech in shelters

Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to receive future volumes!

📈 A bite-sized stat tastier than kibble: The economic paradox of modern shelters

Shelters now save 5.2M animals annually using technology from the dial-up era

While annual shelter intake has decreased only 19% since 2011 (from 7.2M to 5.8M animals), euthanasia rates have plummeted 77% (from 2.6M to 600,000). This lifesaving revolution wasn't driven by reduced intake but by fundamental operational changes: 

• The growth of the "no-kill movement" setting 90%+ live release rate targets

• Sophisticated transfer networks moving 400,000+ animals annually from high-intake rural areas to adoption-focused urban markets

• Expanded foster programs creating capacity beyond physical shelter space

• Community cat programs that neuter and return rather than euthanize

• Improved medical and behavioral protocols making previously "unadoptable" animals adoptable

Yet shelters accomplish this using outdated technology systems that hamper efficiency and scalability.

🐾 The purr-spective: This success creates a technology crisis for animal welfare: systems designed for high-turnover, euthanasia-based operations now struggle to manage complex networks of fosters, transfers, and extended medical care. Both shelters and the pet industry sector must recognize that significant progress depends increasingly on technology that coordinates distributed care networks, tracks complex medical histories, and connects adopters with resources.

🎾 What we’re chasing: Shelters become smart

Digital records: The 15-minute intake revolution

When a stray animal enters a shelter during a busy weekend, staff can now quickly document medical needs, behavioral observations, and distinguishing characteristics while the information is fresh. Modern digital management platforms like Animals First have reduced intake processing from 45 minutes to just 15 minutes per animal while dramatically improving data quality. 

These systems create a single digital record that follows each animal throughout their shelter journey, eliminating duplicate entries and paperwork bottlenecks. As these systems evolve, many now incorporate AI-assisted photo categorization and mobile scanning capabilities that allow animal control officers to begin the intake process in the field.

Smart kennels: 24/7 automated monitoring transforms animal care

Beyond administrative efficiency, advanced monitoring systems with temperature sensors, automated feeding equipment, digital enrichment logs that remind staff to exercise animals, and behavior-tracking cameras combined create "smart kennels" that provide continuous care. These systems don't replace human care but amplify it, allowing limited staff to monitor more animals more effectively. The next evolution includes wearable technology for shelter animals that tracks stress indicators, sleep patterns, and activity levels—data that helps staff make better housing, enrichment, and medical decisions.

Match algorithms: From gut feeling to data-driven adoption success

Similar to dating apps, new "smart matching" platforms analyze multiple factors to suggest compatible pet-person pairings. These systems consider adopter lifestyle factors (work schedules, activity levels), living situations (home type, other pets), and prior pet ownership—and match them against each animal's behavior patterns and needs. Animal shelters using matching algorithms, such as the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match program, have reported more than a 35% reduction in return rates.

The technology extends beyond the initial match through digital "new adopter" support systems. Mobile applications now help adopters navigate the crucial first months, providing behavior tips, training resources, medication reminders, and direct access to shelter advisors. Some platforms include community features and peer support networks where adopters connect with others who have adopted similar animals.

🐾 The purr-spective: These technologies are reshaping the shelter experience for animals and humans alike, and giving animals less time in kennels, more consistent care, and better-matched forever homes. For staff and volunteers, technology reduces admin burden while providing data-driven insights that make their expertise more impactful. The challenge remains to ensure these tools reach under-resourced shelters and rural facilities where technology adoption has lagged but the potential impact is greatest.

🐕‍🦺 The long leash: The challenges of shelter and rescue innovation

Inside the challenging world of running shelters and rescues

While Americans spend billions on pets annually, the organizations that save and rehome these animals operate on shoestring budgets with business models stuck in the past. In our latest article, we explore the hidden economics of animal welfare—where mission-driven organizations serve millions of animals despite chronic underfunding, while billions in pet industry profits flow elsewhere. Discover how innovative shelters are finally bridging this paradox with new models that could transform the industry.

Read the full article.

Tech gap: why shelter software is 30 years behind

Despite consumer pet tech innovation with AI pet toys and smart feeders, many animal shelters still rely on paper forms and repurposed prison management software. Our article explores how the digital revolution has bypassed the shelter world, how outdated systems impact animal care, and how the new wave of purpose-built technologies is finally bringing shelter operations into the 21st century. The stakes couldn't be higher—for staff, adopters, and the millions of animals depending on these systems.

Read the full article.

💸 Clawing in cash: January and February raises in pet tech

January raises

Anivive (Long Beach, CA): Anivive offers an innovative anti-fungal vaccine for pets and an oral selective inhibitor for treating canine cancers, with a direct-to-veterinarian sales platform that has processed over 9,000 orders. The veterinary therapeutics technology platform raised $20M in venture funding from LEONID. 

Carelogy (Tokyo, Japan): Carelogy specializes in using AI to analyze cat facial expressions to detect pain, bridging the gap between complex medical knowledge and practical pet care. The AI-powered healthcare company raised ¥70M in seed funding from Kepple Capital and other investors. 

Dutch (Martinez, CA): Dutch connects pet owners with licensed veterinarians through video consultations and comprehensive treatment plans. The pet telehealth services provider raised $5M in Series B1 funding from Forecast Labs. 

HelloBello (Vienna, Austria): HelloBello offers nutritious, natural ingredient-based dog food tailored to individual pet needs. The freshly cooked dog food producer raised €4M in Series A funding from aws Gründungsfonds, AWS Startups, and other investors. 

Lupa Pets (London, UK): Lupa Pets offers comprehensive business management tools for pet care service providers, including practice management, client engagement, and booking systems. The AI-powered petcare platform raised €3.7M in seed funding from investors including angels from McKinsey & Company and Nexi Payments. 

Ooba Ooba (Paris, France): Ooba Ooba connects pet supply brands with retailers including pet shops, veterinarians, and garden centers. The B2B pet marketplace raised €1M in seed funding from Provence Business Angels and Grand Delta Angels. 

February raises

Airvet (Beverly Hills, CA): Airvet connects pet owners with veterinarians through video, audio, and chat consultations for medical and behavioral support. The pet care application raised $10M in later-stage venture funding from numerous investors including Canvas Ventures and Headline.

Animol Discovery (Boston, MA): Animol Discovery develops advanced screening technologies for pet pharmaceutical ingredients. The animal drug discovery technology company raised $10.5M in later-stage venture funding from investors including Finistere Ventures and Novalis LifeSciences.

Barkbus (Los Angeles, CA): Barkbus offers contact-free, stress-free grooming services delivered directly to pet owners' doorsteps. The mobile pet grooming services secured later-stage venture funding from Maveron and Wilbur Labs.

Catlog (Tokyo, Japan): Catlog develops a device that continuously monitors cat health, collecting data on behavior, weight, and urine volume through a mobile application. The pet technology company raised $5.2M in later-stage venture funding from investors including Canon Marketing Japan and Global Brain.

Chonghuishuo (Shenzhen, China): Chonghuishuo creates AI-powered companion robots that combine monitoring technology and short video generation for pet parents. The pet care AI robot developer raised $1.4M in early-stage venture funding.

Goose (Evanston, IL): Goose offers a comprehensive platform for booking pet services like daycare, boarding, grooming, and walking, enabling businesses to manage operations and pet owners to compare services. The pet service booking and management platform raised $13.4M in seed funding from investors including B Capital Group and First Round Capital.

Happy Howl (Huntingdon Valley, PA): Happy Howl provides human-grade, single-source protein meals for dogs that are shelf-stable and preservative-free. The dog food company raised later-stage venture funding from Leap Venture Studio and Tonic Ventures.

Pet Pharm (Seongnam, South Korea): Pet Pharm provides companion animal medicines to pharmacies nationwide. The e-commerce platform for veterinary medicines secured later-stage venture funding from investors including Korea Investment Partners.

Petmojo (Delhi, India): Petmojo offers professional dog training, exercise, and grooming services delivered directly to pet owners' homes. The pet care services platform raised early-stage venture funding from investors including GSF India.

Tandem (Cambridge, MA): Tandem offers innovative pet healthcare through onsite clinics, virtual care, and mobile veterinary services powered by AI technology. The veterinary care services provider raised $10M in seed funding.

Wagmo (New York, NY): Wagmo provides pet insurance and routine care reimbursements, helping pet owners manage and optimize their pets' healthcare expenses. The pet wellness platform secured later-stage venture funding from numerous investors including Harlem Capital and Female Founders Fund.

Missed the previous volumes and articles? Check them out!