Inspiration
The idea for FindCat emerged from a desire to make pet adoption easier and more accessible. Many potential adopters face challenges in finding nearby shelters with available cats. We wanted to create a simple, user-friendly solution to bridge this gap and connect people with their future feline companions.
What it does
FindCat is a web-based platform that allows users to locate cat adoption shelters near their zip code. By entering a zip code, users can view a list of nearby shelters, complete with contact details, available cats, and other essential information to facilitate adoption.
How we built it
We developed FindCat using modern web technologies. The backend was implemented using Python and Flask to handle requests and process shelter data. For the frontend, we used HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create a responsive, user-friendly interface. The website integrates APIs to fetch up-to-date shelter data and ensures seamless user experience through optimized design principles.
Challenges we ran into
One of the significant challenges was integrating reliable shelter data from various sources and ensuring its accuracy. Standardizing the data format and handling discrepancies across APIs took considerable effort. Additionally, designing an intuitive interface that caters to a wide range of users was a critical hurdle.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud of successfully building a platform that makes a tangible impact in connecting people to adoption opportunities. Our intuitive zip-code-based search and clean interface streamline the process, ensuring users find nearby shelters with ease.
What we learned
Through this project, we gained deeper insights into API integration, data handling, and user experience design. We also learned the importance of accessibility in web development, ensuring our platform is usable by everyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
What's next for FindCat
In the future, we aim to expand FindCat’s features to include real-time shelter updates, an option to filter cats based on preferences (e.g., age, breed), and direct adoption inquiries through the platform. Additionally, we plan to integrate location-based notifications and a mobile-friendly app version for enhanced accessibility.
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