Dogo is a new service that allows those living in San Francisco to take shelter dogs out for no-strings-attached play dates. After a two-hour orientation, dogs can be taken out for four hours at a time at no cost. Dogo has already partnered with two shelters in the city, Muttville and Family Dog Rescue.
Many pet stores and shelters let you walk dogs for a short amount of time, but Dogo is essentially letting you "rent" a pet. This service should help increase adoptions as prospective pet owners can see what it's like to own a dog without having to actually commit. (At the very least, the dogs get exercise and time outside the shelter.) San Francisco already has a Tinder-like app for those looking to adopt dogs, and you have to wonder if Dogo won't soon become like an AirBnB or Uber service.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Pet Rental Services
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Offering pet rental services allows prospective pet owners to experience pet ownership without the long-term commitment, potentially increasing adoptions.
- No-strings-attached Play Dates
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Providing no-strings-attached play dates for shelter dogs allows them to get exercise and socialization, increasing their chances of being adopted.
- Platforms for Pet Adoption
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing platforms similar to Tinder or Airbnb for pet adoption simplifies the process and makes it more accessible for prospective pet owners, potentially increasing adoption rates.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Pet Services
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introducing pet rental services as a new offering within the pet services industry can attract a wider customer base and increase revenue.
- Shelter and Rescue Organizations
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partnering with pet rental services like Dogo can provide shelter and rescue organizations with additional means to showcase and promote adoptable dogs, helping increase adoption rates.
- Technology and App Development
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating platforms similar to Tinder or Airbnb for pet adoption requires technology and app development expertise, opening up new possibilities for businesses in this industry.
