ToAquiRS
Platform to help locate rescued animals in shelters after the floods in Rio Grande do Sul
About the Project
ToAquiRS is a social impact platform created in response to the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The platform helps reunite pets with their owners by providing a centralized database of animals rescued and sheltered during the natural disaster.
In May 2024, Rio Grande do Sul experienced severe flooding that displaced thousands of people and their pets. Many animals were rescued and taken to temporary shelters, but the lack of a centralized system made it difficult for owners to locate their pets.
ToAquiRS was developed as a rapid response solution to this crisis, allowing shelter volunteers to register rescued animals with photos and identifying information, while enabling pet owners to search the database and locate their missing companions.
Key Features
- Centralized database of rescued animals with detailed information and photos
- Location-based search using Google Maps API to find animals in nearby shelters
- User-friendly interface for both shelter volunteers and pet owners
- Real-time updates on animal status (found, claimed, still in shelter)
- Contact system to connect pet owners with shelters
- Administrative dashboard for shelter management
- Mobile-responsive design for access from any device
Technologies Used
Flutter
Used for cross-platform mobile development, allowing rapid deployment of the app during the emergency situation.
Firebase
Provided real-time database capabilities, authentication, and hosting for quick deployment and scalability.
Cloud Functions
Implemented serverless functions to handle backend processes like notifications, data processing, and integration with other services.
Google Maps API
Integrated location services to help users find the nearest shelters and track where animals were found.
Responsive Web Design
Ensured the platform was accessible on all devices, particularly important during emergency situations where users might only have mobile access.
Rapid Development Methodology
Employed agile development practices to quickly deploy a functional solution during the crisis, with continuous improvements based on user feedback.
Impact
ToAquiRS made a significant impact during the Rio Grande do Sul flooding crisis:
- Helped reunite hundreds of pets with their owners during a critical time
- Provided a coordinated system for shelters to manage rescued animals
- Reduced the workload on emergency response teams by streamlining the pet reunion process
- Created a replicable model that can be quickly deployed in future natural disasters
- Demonstrated the power of technology for social good and crisis response