iPet Companion – Remote Play with Shelter Cats (Service Ended)

iPet Companion was a pioneering platform that enabled people worldwide to interact with cats in animal shelters via the web. By clicking a button, users could control a live camera and activate motion‑sensing toys, giving shelter cats the stimulation they need while also entertaining remote visitors.

North American and Canadian shelters adopted the system by installing a dedicated control box, a pair of special power sockets, and a high‑definition camera. Once the hardware was in place, visitors could join a queue on the website, selecting a shelter and waiting their turn to play.

How It Worked

When your turn arrived, you received a prompt to respond within seconds or lose your spot. You then had full control over the camera’s pan, tilt, and zoom, and could trigger one of several toys—each labeled with a number—to keep the cats engaged.

Impact on Shelters

Participating shelters reported an average 18 % rise in adoptions and up to 295 % more donations during the program’s operation. The interactive experience also increased public awareness and encouraged prospective adopters to visit the shelters in person.

Service Status

Unfortunately, iPet Companion is no longer operational. In June 2016, the hosting network could no longer sustain the server and bandwidth costs, and a suitable replacement was not found. Read the full statement here.

“iPet Companion was the world’s first interactive, web‑based pet toy that allowed users anywhere in the world to play with animals awaiting adoption in humane societies across North America by controlling a camera and moving toys in real time.” – iPet Companion Website

Playing with Cats (Archived)

While the service has ended, you can still learn how it operated by visiting the archived website. For example, the Welland Humane Society in Ontario once offered visitors a queue, a camera, and a selection of numbered toys. When the cats appeared sleepy, it was a testament to the popularity of the platform.

Extending the Experience: Feeding Puppies

Some shelters also hosted a “Feed a Puppy” feature, where visitors could watch live‑streamed puppies and virtually give treats. Although the feeding was pre‑recorded, it offered a heartwarming way to support non‑profits such as 11th Hour Rescue.

One user donated a treat to Toodles and Scooter, witnessing the puppies eagerly approach the food bowl.

Benefits for Shelters and Animals

Beyond the statistics, the platform fostered a connection between remote visitors and shelter cats, promoting engagement, mental stimulation, and ultimately higher adoption rates. It also highlighted the importance of interactive play for the wellbeing of homeless animals.

We invite you to share which shelters you visited or which puppies you supported in the comments below.