Frolly: Dog-focused dating app launches in Charlotte to ‘spark joy’ for dog lovers
Charlotte has a new niche dating app aimed at people who love dogs. Frolly — a portmanteau of “frolic” and “jolly” — launched in late October and was created by Charlotte entrepreneur and philanthropist Cindy Himmel, who says the idea came from a conversation with her daughter, Amanda Pietrick.
Himmel told the original reporter that the spark for Frolly came when Pietrick mentioned a date who “wasn’t that into dogs,” a dealbreaker that prompted Himmel to ask whether a dog-centric app might make dating more enjoyable. “When I would say to people, are you dating online, the answer was always, like, ‘ugh,’” Himmel said. “Maybe this could spark joy in dating again, because our dogs bring us so much joy.” (The Washington Post covered the report.)
The app is free for now and launched first in Charlotte with plans to expand to additional cities. Himmel says she intends to introduce a monthly subscription and donate a portion of proceeds to local animal rescues — in Charlotte, that organization is Forgotten, Now Family Rescue.
Users interviewed for the original article described familiar frustrations with mainstream apps — everything from messaging that goes unanswered to unwanted or creepy messages, “endless swiping,” and uncertainty about whether someone is using AI to craft their profile or messages (the article linked background reporting on those trends and issues, including online dating frustrations, lawsuits and concerns over app design, and questions about AI’s role in online dating).
Lauren Haynes, a young professional who has moved for work several times in recent years, said she doesn’t own a dog but identifies as a dog person and was intrigued by Frolly. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is new,’” she said. Haynes told the reporter that knowing everyone on the app shares a love of dogs helps break the ice and has produced stronger connections than she’s experienced on other platforms. “I think having and taking care of animals, that’s such a green flag,” she said.
Not all early users have had instant success. Andrew Marco, 35, who has used Hinge for years, tried Frolly for a few days and said the built-in canine connection appealed to him, even if he hadn’t yet received a reply to one message.
Relationship expert Satira Streeter cautioned against assuming shared dog ownership guarantees compatibility. “That could be a start,” she said, “but there’s no scientific research that says okay, if two of you have a love of dogs, that is going to be the thing that can bring you together.” Streeter advised taking time to assess communication styles and broader priorities before moving forward.
Practical concerns about integrating dogs into a relationship also surfaced. Brianna Dick, a dog trainer and owner of Pack Leader Help in Alexandria, Virginia, said people often “kind of just throw their two dogs together and hope it sticks.” She recommends gradual introductions — starting with parallel walks in neutral spaces, then off-leash play in enclosed areas, and careful home introductions using leashes or baby gates to avoid territorial problems. “People are eager to get their dogs together and have them be best friends,” Dick said. “It’s kind of like stepbrothers.”
For now, Haynes is content meeting friends’ dogs while she explores Frolly and isn’t rushing into dates; if she does find a partner through the app, she wouldn’t rule out adding a pup to the household. The app’s founder hopes the shared love of dogs will provide a friendlier entry point into online dating and, eventually, benefit local rescues as Frolly expands.
