DCL Ventures (AllPaws.com)
Creating a better parking experience for people.
DCL Ventures operated AllPaws.com, a digital platform designed to streamline the pet adoption process. The company was founded in 2013 by Darrell Lerner, a serial entrepreneur who leveraged his previous experience as a co-founder of the online dating company Snap Interactive. Lerner's background in creating online matching platforms was directly applied to AllPaws, which functioned similarly to a dating site by allowing prospective pet owners to find animals based on a wide range of specific criteria.
The business operated a two-sided marketplace, connecting animal shelters and rescue organizations with individuals looking to adopt a pet. For shelters and rescues, AllPaws provided a free platform to list their available animals, increasing their visibility to a national audience. For users, the service offered a website and a mobile app with detailed search filters, going beyond basic traits to include temperament and compatibility with other pets or children, and direct messaging with the shelters. AllPaws generated revenue primarily through advertising and sponsorships, reaching approximately $1 million in annual revenue from these deals.
Launched in early 2014, the platform experienced rapid growth, accumulating over 1.5 million registered users and nearly one million monthly visits within about two years. This user traction and the rich data collected on pet owners attracted strategic interest. In October 2016, PetSmart acquired AllPaws.com to enhance its own in-store adoption programs and digital presence. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move for PetSmart to connect with consumers at the beginning of their pet ownership journey. After the acquisition, Darrell Lerner's direct involvement with the platform concluded, and reports from users and rescue organizations suggested the website's updates became less timely.
Keywords: pet adoption, online marketplace, animal rescue, digital platform, two-sided market, advertising model, user acquisition, strategic acquisition, pet data, mobile application