contributed by April Peiffer, WCRAS
Technology plays a vital role in helping lost pets reunite with their human families, and one of the most impactful tools we’ve added at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is Petco Love Lost’s image-matching technology. This free service enables pet owners to upload a photo and report a pet as lost. Conversely, when people find a pet, they can upload a photo and report the animal as found. Petco Love Lost’s system constantly scans these photos and works to match them—automatically.
Even better, this tool can be used proactively. Upload your pet’s photo in advance, so if it ever goes missing, you can simply update the status—saving valuable time when every moment counts.
Another advancement we’re excited about is the new Lost & Found Map, now available on the Lost Animals At The Shelter page on our website. This interactive map shows the location of lost and found reports submitted through Petco Love Lost, complete with photos when available. It’s a powerful visual tool to help people pinpoint where pets have been reported.
For those who find a lost pet and want to help reunite it with the right family, our Finder To Foster program offers a supportive pathway. We welcome finders to bring the pet to the shelter for intake procedures like micro chipping, vaccination, and photography—getting the animals into our system without requiring the pet to stay in a kennel. Instead, kindhearted finders can care for the pet in their home, with the shelter providing support, supplies, and even medical care as needed.
And finally, we also offer PetHub tags—smart ID tags that use QR codes instead of traditional engraving. These tags can link to a profile that includes medical information, contact details, and more. They’re just $5 and available anytime the shelter is open.
Technology is making a difference — one reunion at a time. Visit WilcoPets.org to learn more about the program.