Pawsitive Beginnings
Maitree, Manasi, Xingyu
Introduction
Background
Primary Research
interviews & workshops
Concepts
Content
Implementation
Scaling
Key takeaways
Vision Statement
Fostering a future where caring for pets is embraced as a shared responsibility, filled with understanding, resilience, and community support.
Care Interest Statement
Pet abandonment and neglect are rising as many first-time owners underestimate the financial, emotional, and time commitments of pet care.
Without proper guidance and support, overwhelmed owners may surrender or mistreat pets, highlighting the need for proactive education and resources to promote responsible pet ownership.
Who is the community
Young working professionals age 20s-40s considering/ having a pet for the first time
Living in Urban society
Living Independently or with Partner/ roommates
Not able to afford going to a pet care center
They are enthusiastic but often anxious about getting things right
They are eager to learn, and emotionally invested in their pet’s well-being.
Owner Challenges
Rising Challenges for New Pet Owners
Lack of travel pet care (26%), training difficulties (25%) First-time pet owners often underestimate the costs and emotional responsibilities. Behavioral problems create stress, resulting in rehoming or surrenders.
31% can’t afford a $2,000 vet bill
65% struggle with costs under $5,000
Insufficient hands-on support leaves pet owners feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
76% of U.S. pet owners incur debt to cover pet healthcare costs, averaging over $2,600 borrowed per person
54% of dog owners regret getting a pet.
Problem Statement
How might we help first-time pet owners embrace pet care as a joyful responsibility, supported by accessible guidance and community-driven resources.
Research Methodology
Secondary Data Analysis
Reviewed existing reports, articles, and statistics on pet adoption trends, pet abandonment rates, and the financial costs of pet ownership.
Semi-structured interview
Conducted one-on-one interviews with first-time pet owners to explore their experiences, pain points, and coping strategies.
Ethnographic Observations
Observed interactions at dog parks and pet adoption centers to understand realworld behaviors and interactions between pet owners and their pets.
Surveys & Questionnaires
Designed and distributed structured surveys to firsttime pet owners to collect data on: Common challenges, Sources of information and support.
Objectives
Enhance Confidence:
Provide knowledge and guidance on pet behavior & training.
Financial Preparedness: Equip owners with budgeting tools & cost-saving strategies.
Emotional Support: Foster a community for shared experiences & mentorship.
Long-Term
Engagement:
Offer interactive workshops & follow-up resources.
Ecosystem Insights
ACC manages large-scale intake; Petco provides visibility and support; Neighborhood Cats handles TNR; Social Tees focuses on foster-based rescues; Second Chance tackles medical cases.
Together, they cover intake, care, adoption, and prevention across NYC.
Interviews
Economic Challenges
• After getting a pet, which expenses exceeded your expectations?
• What methods do you use to save money on pet expenses?
Training Challenges
• What difficulties have you encountered while training your pet?
• How did you learn or attempt to train your pet?
QUESTIONS
Medical Insurance
Did you purchase pet insurance? Why or why not?
Has medical care for your pet ever caused financial stress for you?
Time Management Challenges & Advice
• Did you purchase pet insurance? Why or why not?
• Has medical care for your pet ever caused financial stress for you?
• What has been the biggest challenge for you after getting a pet?
• If you could give one piece of advice to a first-time pet owner, what would it be?
Interviews
Financial Challenges
Budgeting, Unexpected Costs, Pet Insurance, Emergency Expenses
Time Management
Independence, Guilt, Life
Transitions, Career Changes
Insurance & Medical
Vet Costs, DecisionMaking, Preventive Care, Treatment
Hesitation
Training Challenges
Housebreaking, Noise Control, Obedience, Consistency
Challenges & Advice
Structured Training, Transparent Costs, Emotional Support, Responsible Ownership
Workshops - 1st
Objectives
Understand Key Challenges
Uncover Desired Forms of Support and Resources
Define Success and Well-Being from the Community’s Perspective
Workshop Questions
Happiest moment with your pet
Things new pet owners should know
Things I did but would never do with my pet
My advice to fellow pet owner
Process
Washington Square Park
Insights
Whatwe getfrom it?
Workshops - 2nd
Objectives
Explore Key Struggles
Identify Actionable Ways
Support Pet Owners to Across the Four Core Dimensions
Insights
PetFood
Uncertainty and Budget Trade-offs
Many feel unsure about choosing the right food.
Cost often forces changes in diet, sometimes harming pets’ health.
Clear Food Guidance
Resources Community
Fragmented Access and Digital Gaps High Interest, Low Infrastructure
Affordable vets and services are hard to find.
Language and tech access are major barriers, especially for immigrants
Most lack a pet owner support network
They are eager for safe, local help systems like pet-sharing or group chats.
Centralized Resources
Safe & Trustworthy communities
The CPawReady ircles
A Community-Based Pre- and Post-Adoption Support System for First-Time Pet Parents
Our Mission
PawReady Circles supports first-time pet parents with practical guidance and community mentorship before and after adoption. Our goal is to reduce pet abandonment by helping new owners feel prepared, confident, and connected.
Our Offering
This duel care—model of anticipatory education and peer-based community support—offers an innovative and holistic solution to the care challenges faced by urban first-time pet owners.
Smart Match Quiz Lifestyle and needsbased pet match tool to guide adoption fit.
Adoption Passport A gamified checklist of learning milestones
Three-part series hosted by shelters or pet communities
Lifestyle Fit
Emotional & Financial Readiness
3–5 day short-term fostering experience
Basic Training & Emergency Planning
PawPal Circles -Local micro-communities pet owners including one experienced mentor
Circle-based shared space for vet notes, feeding logs, training progress, and helpful links
Supports mental wellness and builds a care culture within neighborhoods
Ongoing
Changes Behaviour, Attitudes & Practices
Informed Adoptions
Shifts decisions from emotional to intentional
Encourages self-reflection and realistic expectations
Reduces mismatches and pet surrender
Strengthens Community Care
Normalizes asking for help and peer support
Connects new pet parents with mentors and local circles
Reduces isolation and emotional overwhelm
Changes Behaviour, Attitudes & Practices
Improves Shelter Outcomes
Lowers return rates
Builds long-term allies for shelters Lightens burden on staff through prepared adopters
Elevates the Pet Care Ecosystem
Decentralizes pet care education to local networks
Creates scalable, community-embedded care models
Raises standards for responsible pet ownership
Sustaining & Scaling PawReady Circles
Embedded in Local Infrastructure
Partner with shelters, vet clinics, and housing associations
Host workshops, PawPal Circles, and trial programs locally
Sustaining & Scaling PawReady Circles
Digital Platform for Scalability Mobile-first app with Smart Match Quiz
Mentor pairing & scheduling Local + virtual support pods
Sustaining & Scaling PawReady Circles
Key Collaborators
Key Assumptions for Success
Key Assumptions for Success
First-time pet adopters are open to investing time in preparation before adoption.
Urban communities are willing to participate in peer support systems if facilitated with care and empathy.
Local institutions (shelters, clinics, retailers) will see value in collaborative impact and improved adoption retention.
Volunteers and mentors can be sustainably recruited and supported through training and small incentives.
Digital tools can effectively facilitate engagement, scheduling, and knowledge sharing among busy urban users.