FetchaDate

FetchaDate landing page
FetchaDate matching page

FetchaDate

Inspiration

Finding playdates for pets can be an incredibly frustrating and time-consuming experience. Pet owners often have to juggle multiple group chats or navigate various platforms, only to find it challenging to connect with others who share similar interests. This sparked the idea for FetchaDate—a platform designed to make it effortless for pets and their owners to connect based on shared interests, location, and profiles.

What it does

FetchaDate matches pets using AI-powered algorithms that analyze profile data and apply advanced filtering and search capabilities. The platform ensures personalized recommendations based on each pet’s profile, including their interests, location, and species. With just one click, users can connect with other pet owners, creating a seamless way to arrange playdates and foster a stronger community.

How we built it

We developed FetchaDate as a Flask-based web application. The frontend was built using Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, ensuring a user-friendly and visually appealing interface. The backend, written in Python, handles application logic, routing, and database communication. MongoDB was our database of choice for managing user and pet profiles efficiently. To enhance the platform's matching capabilities, we integrated OpenAI’s API, which powers our advanced algorithms for personalized recommendations.

Challenges we ran into

Combining sorting and filtering with AI-powered queries into a single, coherent matching system was a significant challenge. Integrating these features while maintaining performance required careful planning and optimization. Additionally, we faced difficulties implementing secure user authentication using Auth0 and managing the complexity of various user interactions within the application.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

By the end of the hackathon, we successfully developed a fully functional platform. Seeing the seamless integration of AI-powered matching with traditional filtering and search capabilities was incredibly rewarding. For many team members, it was their first time working with web development, APIs, and authentication systems, making this project a significant learning experience for everyone.

What we learned

Through FetchaDate, our team gained hands-on experience with web development, API integration, and database management. We deepened our understanding of how to use AI APIs to solve real-world problems and how to manage secure authentication systems. This hackathon also strengthened our collaboration and time management skills, essential for delivering a project under tight deadlines.

What's next for FetchaDate

Looking ahead, we aim to enhance the platform by introducing more advanced filters, allowing users to get highly customized results. Optimizing the platform’s performance is a priority, with a focus on reducing reliance on external AI APIs by developing in-house AI solutions. We also plan to extend the platform to mobile apps, increasing accessibility for users. Additionally, community-focused features like group events and forums are in the pipeline to foster deeper connections among pet owners.

FetchaDate is more than just a pet matching platform—it’s a step toward building stronger communities and bringing joy to pets and their owners alike.