Cindy Himmel is launching a dating app called Frolly in Charlotte exclusively for people who own dogs.

The idea grew out of conversations about the emotional toll of mainstream dating apps and a belief that shared responsibility for pets signals qualities people want in partners. As the dating app industry experiences strong growth alongside diversification, with global revenues projected to exceed $6 billion in 2024, it’s clear that niche platforms like Frolly are tapping into a trend where users seek more tailored experiences. Himmel has worked with FYC Labs to develop the platform and expects the app to be available by late September, with a formal launch planned in October.

Himmel and her daughter, Amanda Levine, discussed the concept in July over coffee at The Hobbyist in Villa Heights, where jazz played and patrons sat with their dogs on the patio. “It just became emotionally draining,” Levine said of her experience using other dating apps, and her reaction helped shape the problem Himmel set out to solve. As many singles view dog ownership positively in dating, a sentiment supported by surveys reported by organizations like the Pew Research Center, Himmel believes that Frolly can align users based on nurturing qualities that come from shared pet ownership.

Himmel described the moment the idea crystallized: “something just ding-dinged in my head,” she said. She later added of the qualities she hopes Frolly will surface in matches: “The qualities of dog lovers, as far as trustworthiness and responsibility and authenticity; it’s almost like the relationship with our dogs is so authentic, that quality can be carried over into our relationship with people.” This encapsulates her goal of building an app that resonates with the diverse dog-owning community.

Frolly pairs users on shared values linked to dog ownership rather than just conventional profile signals, encouraging the development of genuine connections. Himmel recruited FYC Labs, an app development company, to build the platform. Dog owners can also find local events and meetups through platforms like Meetup.com, fostering community engagement that complements the app’s purpose.

The idea is personal: Levine, a 30-year-old mental health therapist, remembers her bond with a rescue pit bull named Artemis. “Artie was really everything to me,” she said. Levine and Kevin Pietrick, whom she married in April, later had what both regard as their last first date after connecting over a photo of her dog, an experience the family describes as a relief. This highlights how such shared experiences can bridge gaps between potential partners.

Cindy Himmel, 66, previously co-founded a bakery in Chicago and says her work on Frolly grew from conversations with friends and family about the role pets play in everyday life. With approximately 51% of U.S. households owning dogs, the demand for a dating platform focused on this demographic is evident. She reacted to early moments of progress with plain enthusiasm: “I loved it!” she said.

The app aims to translate everyday dog-owner interactions—walking routines, caregiving and shared expectations—into signals for compatibility. Levine, Himmel, and others involved emphasize building the product around those values rather than relying solely on photos or algorithmic popularity. By prioritizing the qualities that come with pet ownership, Frolly hopes to create a space that resonates deeply with its users.

Himmel expects to have Frolly available to users by the time readers encounter this report in late September and has scheduled a formal rollout in October. At the same time, the team has cited research organizations such as the Pew Research Center when framing the broader context for online dating and niche platforms. Their innovative approach has drawn outside interest as the concept prepares to debut in the U.S.; additional coverage of the app’s U.S. entry is available from Global Dating Insights.

The app’s early narrative is threaded with the names of dogs who figure in the project: Artemis, who survived abuse, and two other family pets, Ruby and Lulu. Those animals and the stories around them informed Himmel’s belief that shared pet ownership can signal qualities people seek in partners. This human-animal bond has the potential to form the bedrock of deeper relationships.

Levine and Himmel plan to move from conversations to user testing and community outreach as they complete the launch. The project remains focused on turning the everyday interactions around dogs into a dating experience aimed at people who place those interactions at the center of their lives.

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