Modernizing HappyDogs Platform: Elevating Pet Care with Modern Tech Solutions

About Client

Our client, a passionate dog owner, and former Google product director recognized a gap in the market for comprehensive dog care services.  Living in the fast-paced environment of New York City, they understood firsthand the challenges of balancing a busy lifestyle with the needs of a furry friend.

Inspired by a desire to minimize the stress of dog ownership, our client envisioned a solution that would provide excellent daycare, boarding, and grooming services. They believed that dogs thrive in a social environment and that daily playtime with other dogs is essential for their well-being.

With this vision, they sought to create a dog care facility that would not only meet dogs’ basic needs but also enrich their lives through socialization, ensuring that every dog has a fun-filled day.

The Challenge

We took the project over from the previous team. The process of transferring the work wThe growing pet-tech industry is driving a need for platforms that provide reliable, high-quality care for pets. With dog owners seeking dependable daycare services, the challenge was to create a platform that integrates multiple services, such as daycare, boarding, and grooming, while maintaining ease of use for busy owners.

However, creating a comprehensive platform that addresses these needs while ensuring convenience and versatility for pet owners was no small feat. 

The key challenges are the following:

• Service Integration: The challenge lay in developing a seamless solution that could integrate multiple services—from daycare and boarding to pick-up/drop-off and grooming—while maintaining a high standard of care.

• Trust and Security: Trust and reliability were paramount, as the platform needed to reassure pet owners that their dogs would be safe, happy, and well-cared for. 
  
  
• Product Transition: Also, taking over an existing product from another team posed challenges in understanding the codebase and implementing improvements without impacting current users.

Dev Process

Updating Core Tech Stack

The platform initially operated on older versions of Django and Python. We meticulously updated from Django 1.7 to 1.11 and Python 2.7 to 3.5. This transition required a thorough examination of the existing codebase, rectifying all warnings, and innovating solutions for libraries no longer in support.

Strengthening Code Integrity

To ensure the platform’s reliability and functionality, we tackled and successfully covered the system with over 550 unit tests. This fortified the site’s resilience against potential issues and enhanced its overall performance.

Enhancing User Experience

Our team introduced a new punch card system and implemented a revamped daycare template. This allowed both dog owners and platform staff to effortlessly schedule visits, manage pick-up/drop-off options, and set appointments for dog baths. Diving deep into the codebase was essential, ensuring the platform’s updates and new functionalities were seamlessly integrated.

Design Process

We Started With Code

Our goal was to build a compelling product story that removed users from the idea of paying rent or managing a property and instead, transported them to a place where these tasks were actually exciting. How do we make paying rent rewarding? How do we create an experience where finding a tenant rewarding or closing on a broker commission is rewarding beyond the financial gain but on an emotional level?

We Started With Code

Our goal was to build a compelling product story that removed users from the idea of paying rent or managing a property and instead, transported them to a place where these tasks were actually exciting. How do we make paying rent rewarding? How do we create an experience where finding a tenant rewarding or closing on a broker commission is rewarding beyond the financial gain but on an emotional level?

We Started With Code

Our goal was to build a compelling product story that removed users from the idea of paying rent or managing a property and instead, transported them to a place where these tasks were actually exciting. How do we make paying rent rewarding? How do we create an experience where finding a tenant rewarding or closing on a broker commission is rewarding beyond the financial gain but on an emotional level?

Outcome

Like countless others worldwide, our shared love for pets fueled our commitment to this project. Collaborating closely with the client, we revealed the opportunity to refine and enhance the HappyDogs platform. The collaboration allowed us to not only strengthen the technical foundation of the site but also improve the overall user experience for dog owners.

By optimizing the platform’s services and ensuring a smooth, user-friendly experience, we helped create a more reliable and engaging solution for pet care. The enhancements made it easier for dog owners to book daycare, boarding, and grooming services, ensuring their pets received the best care.

We’re proud to have played a part in bridging the gap between pet care necessities and the modern digital realm.