If you work in animal rescue long enough you’ll quickly become aware of the crazy and terrible things that people do to animals. It’s easy to become jaded and to think that people that are trying to find new homes for their pets are uncaring. The fact is, many people legitimately need help, and they want to find the best home possible for their pet.
One of the most famous people to rehome their pet was Abraham Lincoln. Well known for his love of animals, Lincoln had to make a tough decision when he became President: should he take Fido, the 
family dog, to the White House or find a new home.
Matthew Algeo outlines this in his book, Abe & Fido: Lincoln’s Love of Animals and the Touching Story of His Favorite Canine Companion. This book is a good read with interesting insight into what life was like for Lincoln before he was President, his love for animals, and what life was like for animals in the mid-1800’s.
Finding a home for his dog wasn’t an easy decision for Lincoln and his family, and fortunately he found what sounds like a great home for Fido. And today there are many folks that have had significant changes in their lives that put them in a position to find homes for their pets. Good people are trying to do the best they can for their pets.
It’s why I came to work at PawsLikeMe. I want to help people that need help, and I want to help animals that need help. By offering a service to help people find homes for their pets, we can keep pets out of the shelters – which is one of the most stressful experiences an animal can ever have. I know that many of the people looking for homes for their pets don’t want them to have this experience.
Trying to find a home for a dog isn’t easy. You do need to be careful where you place your pet. One of the worst things you can do is offer your pet as, “Free to a good home.” Taking the time to talk with people and make sure that the dog is a good fit for the family is crucial. We offer guidance to people to help them through this process. And, we have a matching system to help them.
When people post a pet, they answer a personality quiz about their dog. When an adopter is looking for a dog, they complete a personality quiz about themselves and their family. We match the two together to find a good fit for both the dog and the person.
I’ve worked in technology for almost 20 years now, and I’m continually encouraged about how it can help people. Involved in animal rescue since 2003, I know how important a conversation can be. Technology doesn’t replace a conversation; it enables one. It can bring people and pets together that otherwise wouldn’t have found each other. That’s not a bad way to make a living.
If you haven’t tried our personality quiz, I encourage you to take a look at www.pawslikeme.com. I’d also love to hear from you in the comments below.