Pawperty Fetch

Providing dog owners with a service that helps them find homes more efficiently, allowing them to search less and tour more.

Role:

UX Researcher

UX Designer

Service:

Service Design

Duration:

8 Months

Situation

In the United States, 57% of millennials own or foster a dog, and many consider their pets part of their family. Dog owners have a strong bond with their pets, leading many owners to prioritize finding a pet-friendly home, at the expense of quality and safety.

How might we make home searching quicker and easier for all dog owners?

In the United States, 57% of millennials own or foster a dog. Some consider their dogs as their children. There’s a close bond between dog owners and their pets. So much that owners are willing to sacrifice their means of quality and safety to find a place to live with their pets comfortably. As the demographic of pet parents grows, addressing the lack of attentiveness matters more than ever.

In the video above, you'll meet Brittani, a dog mom who explains a stressful event that amplifies how difficult finding a home as a dog owner can be.

74%

of participants surveyed stated they have difficulty finding pet-friendly rentals.

- Independent Study

90%

of survey takers consider their pet to be a member of their family.

- Forbes Advisor

63.8M+

U.S. residents have at least one pet.

- 2021 US Census Bureau

Research, Recruitment, Interviews, and Insights

Through my initial research, I found evidence suggesting an increase in the number of "dog parents" among millennials. Dallas, for example, population pet owners make up around 46.9% of residents in the metro area. Many people now treat their pets as close family members and are unwilling to compromise by leaving them behind when moving. In the US, 56% of homeowners and 38% of renters have pets.

In light of this trend, I decided to focus my research on apartment complexes, housing authority associations, insurance companies (both rental and pet), current apartment locating services, shelters, and other resources that could help address this issue.

Screenshots of four virtual interview sessions showing diverse women participating in online interviews via video conferencing platforms, each labeled 'Interview' with different numbers.
A digital screenshot of a webpage displaying various articles, facts, and statistics related to pet ownership, dog breeding, pet regulations, and animal shelter issues, organized in a grid with text and images, including references to government websites and pet advocacy sources.

After analyzing insights from both the housing and pet industries, I shifted my focus to dog owners—their experiences, challenges, and suggestions. Through 72 survey responses and four in-depth interviews, I gathered valuable firsthand perspectives that shaped the foundation of Pawperty Fetch. Using these insights, I began developing a business canvas model and customer value proposition to ensure the service effectively addresses the real needs of dog owners seeking housing.

A man sitting on a beige couch with a notebook and pen, and a happy, fluffy white dog sitting on the floor beside him in a bright living room with plants and furniture.

Research revealed three desired traits when dog owners search for a home.

  • Community

    • The ability to connect with owners.

  • Opportunity

    • The ability of choice

  • Transparency

    • The ability to properly budget

Introducing

An icon of a house with a paw print underneath, representing a pet-friendly or dog-friendly home.

Pawperty Fetch

Going Homeward Bound!

Smartphone screen displaying an agent directory app with profiles of real estate agents, including photos, names, company names, ratings, and contact buttons.
Smartphone screen displaying a pet care app with sections for pet health, financial assistance, and other resources, with a blue theme and icons.
Infographic with four icons and text highlighting strategies for pet owners: increasing options, building community, financially based options, and accessibility to resources.

How can Pawperty Fetch make home searching enjoyable and worry-free?

By simplifying the process of finding the right apartment or home, you can easily filter options based on breed restrictions, weight limits, and income requirements established by each complex. This also provides a way to connect seamlessly with your local pet community and discover pet resources, events, and more.

Different Journeys using Pawperty Fetch

  • Black and white illustration of a woman using a smartphone to check breed restrictions for adopting a dog, with a background showing a shelter and a happy woman cuddling her dog, indicating she is preparing to move into a new place.

    Simone's Downsizing

    Simone wants to downsize her living situation and find a place with a community and a pet-friendly environment. 

  • A stressed woman at her desk with paperwork, a calendar showing March 24, and a laptop displaying a message that reads, 'You have been approved!'

    Irene's Time Crunch

    Irene, a dog mom of 5, has to leave her home due to a policy change. She becomes overwhelmed by the short time frame and the lack of options.

  • Illustration of two people talking on phones, with a moving truck and location markers in the background, representing a real estate or moving process.

    Victor's moving to a new state

    Victor has two bulldog mixes; he’s planning to move out of state due to a new promotion. He does research online but becomes overwhelmed by information.

Filling in the gaps for a niche audience.

Pawperty Fetch provides the same services that other home-finding apps may have but offers an extra step and caters to the wants and needs of pet parents.

Comparison chart of pet rental platforms showing features like breed restriction filter, budgeting tool, income requirement auto filter, community hub, leasing agent directory, and resource hub with check marks and crosses indicating availability.
Slide with three sections: 6 Months, 3-5 Years, 6+ Years. The 3-5 Years section features a logo of Dallas 90 and Pet Supplies Plus. The 6+ Years section displays logos of Bring Fido, Google Maps, ASPCA, and Waze.

Potential next steps

The next steps will involve additional testing, building a directory, and implementing some integrations. Over the years, the plan is to expand from local to regional and eventually to national coverage for all shelters, ensuring that the service is accessible to everyone across the U.S.


Thank you for reading my case study!

If you want to work with me, feel free to contact me!

Email: athaliamgaston@gmail.com