Cradle.wiki

Inspiration

We uncovered a significant need among dog owners. When they want to take their furry friends out, they must check if the place is dog-friendly. However, existing tools have limitations. They offer either a random dog-friendly list, restricting choices, or require users to sift through endless Google or Yelp reviews. But that's not how we do things, right?

What it does

So, we devised this project to address the issue. Our goal is to create a superior tool that empowers dog owners to determine the dog-friendliness of "any place". This tool goes beyond predefined lists, allowing them to freely choose where to go.

How we built it

To ensure we have the most current dog-friendliness information, we utilized Apify to analyze the latest Google reviews. These reviews were then fed into ChatGPT, which assisted us in assessing if a store welcomes dogs and why.

Challenges we ran into

However, it's important to note that not all stores have reviews mentioning dog-friendliness, and recent reviews might be scarce. Additionally, we encountered a challenge with certain restaurants unable to welcome dogs due to California laws, not due to their preference.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

From the store's perspective, some managers noted that our tool could decrease repetitive customer calls for the same information. Moreover, it showcases a store's dog-friendliness, encouraging more dog owners to visit. Notably, some stores even expressed their willingness to offer dog treats and water, showing interest in becoming affiliated as dog-friendly partners.

In Hayes Valley, here are the stores that already say yes and be with Cradle's vision.

Na Ya Dessert Cafe
Timbuk2
Undefeated
Aviator Nation
Industry of all nations
Faherty Brand SF
Isotope Comic
Grove Street Market
Miette
Buck Mason
Outdoor Voices

And there will be more...

What we learned

While many stores have dog-friendly reviews, not all explicitly mention it. Recent reviews can also be scarce. Interestingly, numerous stores are enthusiastic about our dog-friendly initiative, even expressing readiness to provide dog treats and water. This experience highlighted the importance of considering various factors in assessing dog-friendliness and revealed collaboration potential with businesses eager to cater to our furry friends.

What's next for Cradle.wiki

For stores lacking recent reviews, we've devised an approach: utilizing AI phone calls to proactively contact stores and gather dog-friendly policy information.

Addressing the challenge posed by California's dog-welcoming laws, our short-term solution involves suggesting store owners designate pet-friendly areas. In the long term, we're intrigued to understand the rationale behind these laws, as people often cook at home with their pets without negative incidents.