On a sunny afternoon at Soho Grand Dog Park in New York City, two dogs—Callie, a Bernedoodle, and Crew, an English cocker spaniel—met for the first time through a new app designed to facilitate canine social connections. Their owners had matched the pair using Dog Date Afternoon, a platform launched in late May that operates much like a dating service but for dogs and their owners.

Created by New Yorker Erika Wasser, the app aims to address the challenges of meeting compatible playmates in a busy urban environment, where dog owners often navigate crowded sidewalks and dog parks or encounter empty facilities during off-peak hours. Wasser noted that without the app, Callie and Crew might have passed each other unnoticed in the city’s bustling streets.

Dog Date Afternoon, which charges $4.99 per month, allows users to create detailed profiles for their dogs, taking into account factors such as age, size, temperament, and play style. The app enables matching for one-on-one playdates or invites to group events termed “puppy parties.” It also includes features like chat capabilities with matched owners, a dog-friendly map highlighting vetted locations such as restaurants and stores, vaccination status indicators, and a calendar to organize social outings.

The app is intended to promote more intentional and compatible interactions among dogs. Ivan Petersel, founder of dog-training company Dog Virtuoso, explained that tailored playdates help owners focus on compatibility rather than mere convenience, allowing better matching based on temperament, play style, and communication skills. For some dogs, Petersel said, structured playdates can be more beneficial than encounters in crowded, unregulated dog parks.

Wasser highlighted the app’s usefulness for owners of dogs with varying social comfort levels. She recalled meeting a user with two dogs—one sociable, the other less so—who appreciated the app’s ability to facilitate clear communication between owners before playdates, easing the experience of managing a more challenging pet.

The app also addresses the issue of underused dog parks during less busy times. Wasser shared personal experience of frequenting mostly empty parks, running with her dog to provide exercise rather than enjoying social interaction. For older dogs, the app offers an accessible way to engage, such as for Ozzy, a 16-year-old rescue Labrador mix whose owner, Lily Koppel, observed that New Yorkers tend to be less socially inclined with their pets than in the past. Koppel sees the app as a solution to reinvigorate canine social habits that have diminished in the city.

By combining technology with the social needs of dogs and their owners, Dog Date Afternoon seeks to create more purposeful and enjoyable experiences for pets in New York’s fast-paced environment.