Speed Dating for Shelter Animals: Chance of a Lifetime?

With more shelter animals being euthanized than finding forever homes, rescue groups continually struggle to find creative ways to attract adopters. Enter speed dating for dogs, fun and festive shelter events designed to match suitable humans with eligible companion animals.

Speed dating for humans has been popular since the late '90s and is an organized form of  match-making that focuses on meeting a number of potential mates in a short period of time. Participants sign up in advance, then have short "dates" of three to nine minutes, after which they switch. At the end of the event, participants determine whom they wish to see again.

The shelter version works in a similar manner. Human participants get to spend a few minutes with each canine candidate, with the option of spending more time if there seems to be a good match. Shelter speed dating is catching on across the country with ads for these match-making opportunities popping up in states from New Hampshire to Arizona. One such event in Orlando was hosted at an upscale shop, complete with violinist, wine, and hors d'oeuvres plus a silent auction to raise funds for the rescue organization.

The happy sentiments expressed after such events often go something like: "The moment I saw him, I knew."

See the video below in which The Today Show reports on one such speed dating adoption event. (With apologies that you have to endure the 30-second prelude ad—it really is worth the aggravation.)
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