The Problem.
In the Broward County area, an unfortunate reality persists: 35% of animals remain without vital updates, consigned to life in shelters. Through rigorous analysis, Cares Animal Shelter’s strategy team has pinpointed a key issue – a knowledge gap about our shelter’s animal inventory – hindering these crucial updates. We’re committed to bridging this gap and giving every animal a brighter chance at a loving home.

The Solution.
Craft an interactive website that grants users a window into our adoptable pets, showcasing the diverse companions waiting for loving homes. Additionally, highlight the array of offerings our shelter provides, fostering a sense of community and support for animals in need.

In our pursuit of enhancing the services and offerings at our animal shelter, we conducted a thorough competitive analysis of local animal shelters within Broward County, Florida. This analysis allowed us to gain valuable insights into the practices, strengths, and areas of improvement of these shelters, informing our strategy for creating a more impactful and successful shelter experience for both animals and our community.

By meticulously examining the practices of these local animal shelters, we have garnered valuable insights into successful strategies, areas of improvement, and opportunities to better serve Broward County’s pet-loving community. Armed with this knowledge, we are poised to implement strategies that will elevate our animal shelter’s impact and standing within the community.

In the pursuit of our mission, I embarked on an exploration to understand the unique needs of our animal shelter’s users, particularly those who face financial constraints when it comes to pet adoption. The spotlight fell on individuals who yearn for a more accessible and streamlined process, coupled with the convenience of scheduling pet meetings online.

Central to this effort were conversations and empathy mapping sessions that delved into the multifaceted experiences of these potential adopters. Primarily focusing on those who wish to provide a loving home but are restricted by financial limitations, our investigation unveiled a range of challenges that extend beyond the financial aspect. It became clear that the desire for a more user-friendly adoption process and the ability to connect with pets online resonated strongly among this demographic. The complexities of affordability, convenience, and empathy converged, inspiring us to develop a solution that caters to these diverse needs, making pet adoption a smoother journey for all.

Meet John, a dedicated single father who puts in long hours to provide for his son. In his quest to find a furry companion to keep his son company during these extended workdays, he’s eager to embark on this heartwarming journey, yet unsure of where to begin.

My ultimate aim was to craft a responsive website that effortlessly catered to individuals of all age groups, ensuring an intuitive and straightforward navigation experience. Drawing inspiration from the practices of other animal shelters in the area, I strategically incorporated their successful approaches into the organizational framework and screen design, ensuring a user-centric and coherent browsing journey for visitors.

Following a brief yet productive ideation session, I generated innovative concepts aimed at streamlining the animal adoption process for our shelter. My primary emphasis was centered on devising a user-friendly approach that simplifies the process of accessing information about the animals available for adoption and facilitating convenient appointments for in-person interactions.

In anticipation of the usability testing phase, I meticulously developed a low-fidelity prototype that seamlessly linked users to the animals they were keen on adopting. This prototype not only established a direct connection but also incorporated an efficient filtering system, enhancing the ease of locating the precise pet individuals were seeking.

Using the carefully planned digital sketches, I started creating a simple prototype. The main thing I focused on was making it easy for users to schedule a meeting with a pet. This prototype was designed to be part of a study to see how well it works for users.

I organized two rounds of usability studies. The insights gained from the initial study played a pivotal role in steering the evolution of designs from mere wireframes to fully-fledged mockups. Subsequently, the second study involved a high-fidelity prototype, shedding light on specific areas within the mockups that called for further refinement.

After conducting thorough user testing, I initiated a thorough design enhancement process tailored to our animal shelter’s platform. This overhaul was directed at simplifying the scheduling method and refining navigation for users.To elevate user experience, I introduced a user-friendly scheduling interface that facilitates swift meet-and-greet appointments with our shelter animals. Additionally, I streamlined navigation by incorporating an intuitive menu layout, ensuring that users can seamlessly explore our website and find the information they need with ease.

The high-fidelity prototype adhered to the user flow established in the low-fidelity prototype, incorporating design refinements based on insights gained from the usability study.

View the Cares Animal Shelter high-fidelity prototype

I meticulously crafted distinct design variations for mobile, tablet, and desktop interfaces, carefully aligning each version with the unique user requirements corresponding to their device of choice.