On the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, the World Animal Day is also celebrated. The subject of our furry companions is one that resonates deeply in our country, where according to the Istituto nazionale di statistica (Istat) there are as many as 25.5 million pets living in 37.7 per cent of households. And yet, cross-referencing data from various associations, it is estimated that every year around 130,000 are abandoned, including 80,000 dogs and 50,000 cats.

The report "Animali in città" by Legambiente mapped 221 rescue kennels across the country, finding that on average, for every ten dogs admitted to facilities in 2025, more than two have yet to find a new family. This is damaging both to the animals' wellbeing and to the budgets of local authorities. The study underscores this point, fittingly titled "The cost of inaction. Caring first: animals, people and communities in prevention policies", which calculates that housing each kennel resident costs around 1,900 euros per year. Investing in public awareness and citizen education would cost far less: a prevention strategy estimated at between 100 and 250 euros.

But what can we do? Here are three startups from the Lifegate Way ecosystem committed to making life easier for animals and for those who want to care for them.

Three startups for World Animal Day

• Empethy
• TrusPet
• My Animal

Adopting responsibly with Empethy

Founded by Annamaria Barbaro and Lorenza Silvestri, Empethy is a well-established player in the fight against animal abandonment. The platform matches the offer of around eight hundred associations, volunteers and shelters with the demand from users looking for a dog or a cat. To each their own animal: the startup offers a test to calculate a compatibility index, pairing the most suitable adopter with the right companion by taking both parties' needs into account. People interested in welcoming a pet into their lives in a mindful way can also rely on expert advice from vets, trainers and nutritionists. In addition, through the corporate pet responsibility programme, companies get involved by funding shelters and engaging their employees in kennel volunteering.

No more fostering stress with TrusPet

Co-founded by Carlo Di Benedetto, TrusPet is an app — currently active in Turin and Milan — that connects dog and cat owners with a network of verified and certified professionals such as pet sitters, groomers, vets and dog trainers for a range of services including fostering, grooming, training and pet care. Users can search and select the most suitable profile for their needs by category, book a service and chat with the person they are looking for. In the spirit of transparency and reliability, users can also leave and read feedback and reviews, building a genuine community. The platform also offers professionals in the sector greater visibility, thanks to partnerships with companies and specialist service providers.

With MyAnimal, remote adoptions feel closer than ever

Co-founded in Parma by digital entrepreneur Matteo Zanlari, who serves as CEO, MyAnimal is a startup and benefit corporation that connects people with third-sector organisations, shelters, wildlife rescue centres and sanctuaries. Its aim is to promote and foster an ethical and responsible relationship with the animal world, starting with wildlife. Among the services offered by this digital ecosystem is a trackable remote adoption service, through which users can contribute to the care of an animal and receive regular updates on its progress. In addition to donation collection, the platform offers scientific training courses and lessons on biodiversity and wildlife conservation, led by experts working in the field of animal welfare.