Animal Roulette

[ToBScholarly]

Internet chat for pets and their potential future owners. See the article HERE then tell me what you think.

[Delynnr]

IMO - Terrible name, kinda creepy in fact? Or is that just me? I like the concept though, petfinder and other shelter helping websites are too limited, they need video and more information. Shelters on the other hand are too chaotic with too much going on to focus on all the animals.

I think they are heading in the right direction.

[Swissies4Me]

It's interesting, I'll give them that, but I just don't see it taking off. Seeing a dog on a screen is one thing, but meeting them in person is completely different. And, I think most people who are serious about adopting a new family member have an idea of what they're looking for in their new addition, or at least they should. Having totally random pictures pop up doesn't help a family find what they've determined to be the correct fit for their family. But, if it helps animals find FOREVER families then I'm all for it. I just have a feeling there could be a lot of adoptions that end up not working out well using this method.

[Hounds_N_Leo]

yyyeah that is NOT going to tell you if the dog or animal you "fall in love with" is going to piss all over your floors...howl all day while you are gone...be TERRIFIED of your husband....or attack your cats!

Dumb IMO.

You still NEED to get hands on and IMO even have a trial period, with a shelter or rescue pet. You just do. They are NOT blank slates like a puppy/kitten from a known source would be...they are products of the idiots or just bad luck circumstance that led to them being in a shelter and that comes with special things you need to know.

Nothing replaces face time, interviews/screening, and talking F2F with fosters, and/or shelter staff about your animal...and getting hands on with it there, and in your home.

[ToBScholarly]

I have mixed feelings about this. I do agree that nothing replaces the bond of seeing a pet in person. However, one of the reasons the creator had for this is that when a person walks into a shelter, there is SO much going on and so many dogs yelping that it is difficult to focus on establishing a bond.
So maybe it is good to draw some attention to pets in shelters. And then the in person stuff can come after.

[Hounds_N_Leo]

But how is that different than a nice picture? Or a video? Plenty of shelters and rescues already do that.

Most every shelter I have come across has a room to spend time with a dog alone, or cat or whatever. I think most rescues that have those events also try to find ways for you to spend some time with your choice to see how it goes? The big thing is which dog? and you can get a first impression via the web in the guise of a picture or video as mentioned...

If it is just a "first impression" deal, well IMO it's nothing new. If it's more than that? a means to decide "I want that pet"...well see my prior post LOL!

You still should not make any sort of decision until the animal is under your hands, and best of all...in your home LIVING with with on a daily basis. Trial periods and support from the source are key to getting over those intial bumps in the road that are part and parcel of bringing a new pet home, from ANYWHERE.

[sam.i.am]

Well, first of all, the name is very off-putting to me.
This may allow people to focus on a few dogs (or cats) when they are looking, but I also think that making this site like a speed-dating site is also a little disposable feeling. Like, if this dog bores you, just click for a new one. Something about it bothers me a little bit, but if a site can create a positive way for people to see and meet shelter dogs then I guess it's positive overall.
I agree with Gina in that nothing really replaces the time you spend in the real presence of an animal. It wouldn't work for me as I think the concept is hokey and unnecessary, but it may work for others. And, working to increase adoptions is a good thing