Try as it might, tech will never replace dog as man’s best friend.
And Chicago’s tech community wouldn’t have it any other way. Not only do the city’s tech companies employ some of the cutest office dogs around, but there’s also a growing sector of tech startups in the city aimed specifically at making the pet industry more tech-enabled.
Here’s a look at nine Chicago companies (and nine superfluous puppy pictures) that are dedicated to dogs and are using tech to make your pet’s life, well, pretty cush.
Woof, a Naperville-based rescue app, aims to connect prospective pet owners with dogs and cats in need of adoption at local shelters. The app acts as a springboard for the adoption process, but the company says it's working on more tech-enabled ways to help facilitate the entire adoption process.
Who doesn’t love a subscription box? PupJoy curates a customizable selection of goods just for your dog — from treats and toys all the way to accessories — which are packaged and delivered to your door once a month.
Hot off its graduation from Techstars Chicago, Urban Leash is building out a dog-walking and cat-sitting service that's powered by tech. Urban Leash lets you request pet care professionals on demand and tracks their care throughout the visit.
Paws Platoon is a veteran-owned and employed dog walking and running business that puts your dog in the care of the most responsible and reliable hands around. Working with Paws Platoon also helps empower local veterans and connect them with the community.
Doggyloot, an online marketplace for the industry’s best toys, treats, and other doggy gear, was founded in 2010 and has managed to secure $2.5 million in funding under its belt — or should we say leash?
FetchFind is using tech to solve one of the pet industry’s biggest pain points: finding talent. With FetchFind, pet-centered companies have an online hub where they can post jobs and look for top candidates. And pet professionals can browse the site to find their next career opportunity, too.
Whoever said pets and tech can’t work together never met Pet Check. The company, which launched in 2010, provides software for pet lovers to get their own dog walking and sitting businesses up and running.
Founded in 2013, Worthee offers 24/7 dog sitting and walking services, bookable both on demand and in advance. Founded by dog lovers for dog lovers, Worthee offers its services all across Chicago.
Poopy Products, a pet waste management company, has over 20 retail projects in more than 20,000 locations. In addition, they also offer the Pooh-Pee tracker app, which allows pet owners to mark their pet’s favorite spots to go — and connect with other pet owners, too.
Photos via Shutterstock.
