Russia is spending 80 million rubles to create new state digital services that will allow citizens to adopt shelter pets, according to official government documents.
The planned online platforms were detailed in a document from the Ministry of Digital Development and reported by state news agency RIA Novosti on August 31, 2026.
Under the ministry plan, two separate digital projects will be established to handle animal welfare services across 102 regions. One platform will focus specifically on helping people locate and adopt animals from shelters. The second service will assist owners in searching for missing pets and create a national registry for veterinarians.
Digital government services in Russia
The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media is the federal government body responsible for Russia's digital infrastructure, public telecommunications, and state electronic platforms. The ministry frequently manages centralized online portals that digitize administrative paperwork, public registries, and municipal services for residents across the country.
Expanding state digital infrastructure into animal welfare marks a broader effort to centralize public record keeping. Online databases for veterinarians and lost pets are widely used in public administration to maintain health standards, verify professional qualifications, and manage local shelter networks.
Rollout timeline and previous initiatives
A total of 80 million rubles has been allocated for the realization of both digital projects. Public access to the new services is expected to open in mid-November, according to details in the ministry document.
The new state project follows earlier software developments intended to assist domestic animals in Russia. Developers previously introduced a specialized online tool nicknamed cat Tinder, which was created to match shelter pets with prospective owners.
RIA Novosti, a major Russian state news agency based in Moscow, reported the details from the official ministry documentation. The agency regularly reports on federal government decrees, ministerial announcements, and administrative policy changes.
