Case Study

Project Overview

The Problem

Many pet lovers in developing countries struggle to find reliable, accessible platforms to adopt pets, leaving countless animals in shelters or on the streets without homes.

The Goal

Design and develop an intuitive mobile application that simplifies the pet adoption process, making it accessible, engaging, and secure for users, while increasing adoption rates and improving animal welfare.

My Role

User Experience (UX) Designer and Developer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct user research
• Identify pain points
• Ideate solutions
• Create wireframes
• Conduct usability studies
• Develop prototypes
• Implement in React

User Research

Summary

User research revealed both the scale of the stray pet issue and the needs of potential adopters. Quantitative data highlighted the problem: Colombia has an estimated 900,000 stray dogs and cats, while Guatemala and Albania also face significant challenges with overpopulation of stray animals in urban areas. Surveys showed that 85% of respondents felt the lack of accessible adoption platforms was a barrier, and 70% indicated they would adopt more readily if the process were simpler and more transparent.

Qualitative insights from interviews provided deeper understanding. Participants expressed frustrations with delays in communication with adoption centers, insufficient information about pets (such as health and behavior), and a lack of real-time updates on availability. Many emphasized the importance of tools that encourage responsible pet ownership. These findings directly shaped Adoptio’s user-centered design, ensuring the app meets the needs of adopters while addressing the stray pet crisis in these regions.

User Personas

María

"Adopting is more than giving a home; it’s giving love, hope, and a second chance to those who need it most."

Goals

• To adopt pets responsibly and ensure they receive the love and care they need.

Frustrations

• Slow responses when adopting through social media or online platforms.
• The welfare of the animals post-adoption.

María, a 35 year-old mom, married with two kids. A teacher by heart. She is deeply moved by the plight of abandoned animals. She sees adopting pets as a way to provide a loving home and to teach her children compassion. She believes every animal, regardless of age, size, or breed, deserves a chance at a better life.

User Journey Map

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User Flow

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Information Architecture

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Paper Wireframe

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Digital Wireframe

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Low-fidelity Prototype

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High-Fidelity Prototype

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Sticker Sheet

I added a Sticker Sheet to make it easy to develop the app's unique components and styles.

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Usability Study

A remote usability study was conducted with five participants from various regions to evaluate the ease of use and effectiveness of Adoptio in addressing user needs. The study focused on identifying pain points and potential improvements to enhance the adoption process.

We gathered and organized the data, which led to the following key insights:

Round 1 Findings

• Users wanted more options to contact the Adoption Center directly.
• Participants suggested more filters for pet characteristics, such as the amount of hair or maintenance required.

Round 2 Findings

• Users wanted to see a better description of the pet's medical history before adopting.

Before And After

Before Contact Button In Pet Details

Accesibility

To prioritize accessibility, the app interface includes options to toggle between languages, making it more inclusive for users in different regions. A light and dark mode feature was implemented to accommodate those sensitive to screen brightness. Additionally, prominent headers and alternative text (alt) for images were added to ensure compatibility with screen readers, improving the experience for visually impaired users. These considerations make Adoptio more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.

Takeaways

This project taught me the importance of deeply understanding user needs, such as the desire for a streamlined, accessible, and transparent adoption process. User research highlighted that building trust and providing clear, intuitive solutions are key to creating meaningful and impactful user experiences. By prioritizing accessibility and user-centered design, I gained valuable insights into designing products that can drive social change and foster loyalty in underserved markets.

Next Steps

1. Developing the app using React: The next step is to bring Adoptio to life, connecting more pets with loving families and addressing the adoption gap in developing countries.
2. Designing new features: I plan to design and prototype features suggested during the usability study, such as post-adoption photo uploads and a social media-style feed.
3. Expanding research: I will conduct additional user and usability studies with Adoption Centers to create a complementary back-end app that streamlines their workflows.

Conclusion

Adoptio represents more than just a design project—it’s a tool that has the potential to transform lives by connecting pets with loving families, addressing a critical need in developing countries. This experience taught me the value of combining user-centered design with social impact, and how thoughtful research and usability can drive meaningful change. If you'd like to discuss this project or future opportunities, feel free to contact me at hello@uxrodrigo.com.

Thank you very much!