UX/UI

Yūgen — Like Tinder, but for Pets: Find Your Perfect Match

Check The Project

Prototype

Client

La SPA (France) — case study brand for a self-initiated academic project

Year

Sep 1, 2026

( 00-01 )

THE CONTEXT

The current challenge facing animal shelters across Europe is the high rate of pet abandonment.

This overcrowds shelters and makes it harder for animals to find permanent homes, and for adopters to keep them.

My Role

Product Designer & UX/UI Designer — solo, end-to-end (research, brand, UX, UI).

The Problem

Pet abandonment is a major driver of shelter overcrowding, leaving thousands of animals without permanent homes and adopters without support to keep them.

The Goal

Help adopters feel confident and supported before, during, and after adoption, so pets find homes that last.

The Challenge

How might we reduce pet abandonment by improving pet-adopter matching and providing ongoing support throughout adoption?

The idea

The Solution

Yūgen is like Tinder for pets: filtered search, compatibility matches, and a community of pet owners who support you throughout the whole journey.

The Solution

Yūgen is like Tinder for pets: filtered search, compatibility matches, and a community of pet owners who support you throughout the whole journey.

The Results

A pet-matching app with lifestyle filters, a supportive owner community, and a joyful brand.

( 00-02 )

THE RESEARCH

After reviewing 30+ pet adoption brands and websites worldwide, and running an analog study of out-of-the-box thinking, here is what we found:

Petfinder and Adopt Animaux excel at discovery but stop at adoption. Tinder and Hinge showed us how to build connection.

Check the Project

( 00-02 )

THE RESEARCH

After reviewing 30+ pet adoption brands and websites worldwide, and running an analog study of out-of-the-box thinking, here is what we found:

Petfinder and Adopt Animaux excel at discovery but stop at adoption. Tinder and Hinge showed us how to build connection.

Check the Project

( 00-03 )

THE FINDINGS

The research surfaced hard numbers behind the crisis — abandonment and adoption growth.

These figures shaped every decision that followed, from matching to community features.

200K

Pets abandoned in France every year

300K+

Dogs and cats abandoned or rescued annually in Spain

100M+

Stray or homeless pets estimated across Europe

96%

Of pet owners report a positive impact on their wellbeing from owning a pet

200K

Pets abandoned in France every year

300K+

Dogs and cats abandoned or rescued annually in Spain

100M+

Stray or homeless pets estimated across Europe

96%

Of pet owners report a positive impact on their wellbeing from owning a pet

( 00-04 )

THE RESULTS

The question: how can we make pet adoption not just easier to start, but easier to sustain?

Most adoption failures come from a gap in preparation and support, not from the animals.

What we achive

An interface that helps future owners match with a pet that suits their lifestyle, then supports them long after adoption day.

What we learn

Matching isn't just compatibility on paper: it's building confidence and connection before, during, and after the decision.

In conclusion

Adoption is a never-ending journey: events, advice, and friendships keep people connected long after the adoption itself.

What we achive

An interface that helps future owners match with a pet that suits their lifestyle, then supports them long after adoption day.

What we learn

Matching isn't just compatibility on paper: it's building confidence and connection before, during, and after the decision.

In conclusion

Adoption is a never-ending journey: events, advice, and friendships keep people connected long after the adoption itself.

( 00-05 )

DISCOVER MORE

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LHUNA
CONTACT

( 00-05 )

CONTACT

Let’s talk about what you’re building and how we can collaborate.

Prefer the old way?

Lhunatica@gmail.com

Let's start
the conversation.

LHUNA
CONTACT

( 00-05 )

CONTACT

Let’s talk about what you’re building and how we can collaborate.

Prefer the old way?

Lhunatica@gmail.com

Let's start
the conversation.

LHUNA
CONTACT

( 00-05 )

CONTACT

Let’s talk about what you’re building and how we can collaborate.

Prefer the old way?

Lhunatica@gmail.com

Yūgen — Like Tinder, but for Pets: Find Your Perfect Match

The current challenge facing animal shelters across Europe is the high rate of pet abandonment.

This overcrowds shelters and makes it harder for animals to find permanent homes, and for adopters to keep them.

After reviewing 30+ pet adoption brands and websites worldwide, and running an analog study of out-of-the-box thinking, here is what we found:

Petfinder and Adopt Animaux excel at discovery but stop at adoption. Tinder and Hinge showed us how to build connection.

After reviewing 30+ pet adoption brands and websites worldwide, and running an analog study of out-of-the-box thinking, here is what we found:

Petfinder and Adopt Animaux excel at discovery but stop at adoption. Tinder and Hinge showed us how to build connection.

The research surfaced hard numbers behind the crisis — abandonment and adoption growth.

These figures shaped every decision that followed, from matching to community features.

The question: how can we make pet adoption not just easier to start, but easier to sustain?

Most adoption failures come from a gap in preparation and support, not from the animals.

Let’s talk about what you’re building and how we can collaborate.

Let's startthe conversation.

Let’s talk about what you’re building and how we can collaborate.

Let's startthe conversation.

Let’s talk about what you’re building and how we can collaborate.

Let's startthe conversation.

Let's start
the conversation.

Let's start
the conversation.

Let's start
the conversation.