Run or Pat: Using Deep Learning to Classify the Species Type and Emotion of Pets

Deep learning has been applied in many contexts. In this paper we present a novel application area: to detect the species type and emotion of pets with focus on a diverse set of dog and cat collections comprising 52 dog and 23 cat species. Building on an extensive collection of labelled images with over 300 images per species type, we explore a range of deep learning models to develop a classifier for species type and their associated emotion. We outline the realization of the technical solution delivered through a mobile application (iPhone/Android) and present results based on feedback based on real world adoption and utilisation by the broader mobile application community.