With “CALL A PET,” the German Animal Welfare Federation is using artificial intelligence (AI) to teach shelter animals to speak—with support from the Philipp und Keuntje agency. An innovative telephone hotline brings animal personalities to life, helping to find them new homes. Thanks to AI, the animals talk to potential owners on the phone about their characteristics, preferences, and quirks. They put callers through their paces – because in the end, the animals decide whether the person is right for them and whether they will meet at the shelter. “CALL A PET” officially launches on October 4, World Animal Day. The campaign is accompanied by a social media campaign and supported by influencers.
“Beautiful fur, big eyes, cute look – often, appearance is the deciding factor when people choose a particular animal. But appearance reveals nothing about whether an animal is affectionate, fearful, or lively, for example,” explains Lea Schmitz, spokesperson for the German Animal Welfare Federation. A recent survey* also confirms that for many people, appearance is the most important criterion when choosing a pet. This has fatal consequences: if the needs and character of the animal and the person do not match, many animals end up in shelters – which are already at their capacity limits.
AI AS THE VOICE OF ANIMALS
“CALL A PET” is a telephone hotline that allows interested parties to communicate directly with animals from the shelter and let the shelter animals themselves describe their character. The aim is to bring the animals' personalities to the fore – and thus find a suitable forever home for them in a more targeted manner. The hotline connects interested parties with the dogs Hector and Joker or the cat Simon. Responses from interested parties are compared with predefined, strict parameters based on detailed character profiles of the animals – created by the employees of the Mölln animal shelter who know the animals well. Callers get to know the animals on a personal level, without being influenced by their appearance. Only when a person and an animal are truly compatible do they get to meet at the shelter. “CALL A PET is not a technical gimmick,” emphasizes Lukas Bausch, AI specialist responsible for the technical implementation. “AI becomes the voice of the animals and shows how technology can help solve real problems.”
*Pet survey in collaboration with Appinio in September 2025: 96 percent of respondents said that visual criteria were “important” or “somewhat important” to them when deciding on a pet. n = 1,000
Information and telephone availability of the animals:
- Hector: large and strong, but cuddly, loyal, and playful – but slow to trust new people. Tel.: +49 40 74302822
- Simon: “Sheriff of the shelter” – a watchful seven-year-old male cat who makes it clear who he likes and who he doesn't. Tel.: +49 40 74302489
- Joker: picky and temperamental – but whoever wins his heart will have a loyal cuddly friend for life. Tel.: +49 40 74302173
Standard landline or mobile phone charges apply.
The bots can also be tested online here:
Simon (cat): Call now
Hector (dog): Call now
Joker (dog): Call now
More information available from October 4 at www.callapet.de
