Valentine’s Day for four-legged friends

Valentine’s Day is made for love and not just the human kind.

Ahead of February14, Auckland Council has launched Puppy Love, a new website that works a lot like Tinder, if Tinder were full of wagging tails, wet noses and unconditional love without the commitment issues.

It’s a region-wide adoptable dog website designed to help Aucklanders find their perfect canine match from dogs that have been rescued and are currently looking for homes across the region.

Users can browse dogs up for adoption, filter by size, age and lifestyle needs, and find a match that suits their home, whanau and way of life.

Each dog profile links directly to the shelter where they’re currently staying, making the journey from “just looking” to “meet-cute” simple and transparent.

Councillor Josephine Bartley says that by bringing all shelters together in one place online, Puppy Love gives the dogs the best chance to be seen and adopted.

“And let’s be honest, dogs are better at relationships than most of us,” she says.

Council’s Pukekohe adoption centre manager Carly Triska says Valentine’s Day is usually about flowers and chocolates, but thinks meeting a dog who’ll love you for the rest of their life is a much better deal.

“Puppy Love takes the guesswork out of adoption and makes it easier for people to find a dog that truly fits their lifestyle, and Valentine’s Day felt like the perfect time to celebrate all kinds of love, especially the K9, loyal kind that lasts for years.”