'Pet replacement' app criticised

[Michaelangelo]

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has warned that an app allowing people to find a new pet based entirely on looks risks reducing animals to disposable items.

PetMatch runs image-recognition technology to match pictures of animals, selected by prospective owners, to an "adoption database".

It has been suggested the app can help owners find replacements for dead pets.

I find it a bit creepy. Cant see myself going out and getting a look a like pet to replace the one that I have had for years. I'm sure it can console some though.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27501769

 

[Jack Reacheround]

Reminds me of Re-Pet from The Sixth Day.

 

[Martialarts101]

Not for pets. Make it for ex-girlfriends though, it could have saved me some hard times.

 

[Loiosh]

Don't see a problem with this.

 

[thebluerider]

i know all sorts of people who have adopted dogs online. pets are replaceable. DEAL WITH IT

 

[Michaelangelo]

Im not against getting a new pet. It's just trying to duplicate the one you lost that irks me.

 

[Starck]

If it promotes adoption of dogs/cats in general, I don't see the issue here.

 

[thebluerider]

that wasn't so much directed at you. some poeple have breeds they prefer. if they can rescue one instead of going to a breeder, then i think that's great. anyone who gets a dog should obviously interact with it then irl before making the final decision to adopt or not.