MetroPets Online was founded in 1999 by animal shelter volunteers who saw the need for bringing together and technologically supporting the efforts of the many shelters and rescue groups working in the Washington, DC area. MetroPets is run by animal lovers and computer professionals, all of whom are volunteers. MetroPets runs an active web site featuring extensive listings of local animals groups and a search engine for finding animals currently available for adoption from more than 70 animal rescue groups and shelters in the area. MetroPets also provides free computer technical assistance to the local animal groups.