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BY REBECCA KIDD
Someone has finally done it—created the mother of all pet adoption websites: ArfDigita.org. Shelters around the country can use the free web service to post photos and information about their animals. Anyone can browse the photos, easily narrowing the focus to only those shelters within a specified distance of the user’s zip code. An online application allows users to apply for animals immediately. A user can also create a profile specifying details about the animal they want, and the service will automatically notify them when an animal matching that criteria is posted to the site. Registered users can learn about each other through their own posted profiles, talk with each other on the site’s discussion boards, and find important information using the site’s searchable database of vets, articles on animal care and other links. There are no ads on the site, nor does the company distribute or sell any private information.
How can ArfDigita afford to run this service? ArfDigita Foundation gets the spillover from its rich uncle, ArsDigita.com, a company that provides open-source solutions for e-commerce and other online ventures. Founded by Philip Greenspun, an Internet guru and a devoted dog lover, the non-profit ArfDigita does not accept donations, instead requesting gifts be made directly to the shelters themselves.
This summer ArfDigita conducted a national tour (via a motor home) to distribute their software, free digital cameras and technical assistance in person to shelters all over the country. After you visit ArfDigita.org, learn more about its inspired founder Philip Greenspun, and his dog.
Photograph:
Elsa Dorfman
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