Robotic cat toys let users play with real Utah felines online

Robotic cat toys let users play with real Utah felines online

(Courtesy of the Humane Society of Utah)


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MURRAY — Stuck at a computer, but itching to play with a feline friend?

A new robotic cat toy system lets users interact with adoptable furballs at the Humane Society of Utah by controlling three toys on the wall of its Kitty City foster condo in real time. As of Monday, anyone can log onto the shelter’s page on the iPet Companion website and take over the webcam and toys.

Visitors have 2 minutes to play with the cats during their sessions, but can hop back into the online queue for a chance to play again when time runs out. They can also participate in a live chat and take pictures of the cats they are interacting with.

The iPet Companion technology was donated to the shelter and is currently in use at 12 other locations in the U.S., according to Humane Society of Utah communications director Deann Shepherd. She said they were impressed by how adoptions and donations increased at other participating shelters once they started offering online interaction. The playrooms get visitors from around the world.

“People from France are logging in and seeing shelter cats and making a donation just because they want to help out that shelter,” she said. “That’s what we’re hoping to see — more people connecting with the animals (who) wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to do so. If they have allergies and they just can’t come in in person, or if they’re in a situation where they love animals and want to play with the cats but just can’t own their own cat, this gives them a fix.”

Courtesy of the Humane Society of Utah
Courtesy of the Humane Society of Utah

The webcam also provides visitors with a chance to see what the shelter looks like without traveling. Shepherd said she hopes it clears up the misconception that shelters are depressing places where animals are in cages stacked on top of one another.

Right now, there are about 10 felines in the foster condo room. The cats in the room tend to be overlooked for adoption because they are older or have experienced health issues, but Shepherd said the furry friends still have a lot of love to give. The humane society is waiving adoption fees for cats over 7 months old until April 30 and offering free microchip certificates.

The interactive website is especially useful for community outreach. Shepherd said she has been talking with Primary Children’s Hospital about letting children log into the site to play with the cats as a form of pet therapy.

“I think it would be great even in the waiting room when the family is there and everyone is anxious and they have hours to wait,” she said. “They can log in and just interact with the animals and (it would) give them something to take their mind off of (waiting). It’s something positive.”

The site could also be beneficial for soldiers overseas. Shepherd said a military technology website shared the news of the Utah system’s launch.

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Natalie Crofts

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