HIHS Adopts New Technology to Assist in Locating Lost Pets

Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society (HIHS) is joining forces with Petco Love on a mission to reunite lost pets with their owners.

Petco Love, formerly known as the Petco Foundation, is a national nonprofit that has created a searchable national database to help families locate animals using facial recognition technology.

Uploaded photos of a missing dog or cat are immediately scanned to determine whether the lost pet is at a participating shelter or with a neighbor in the community. Participating organizations currently utilizing this technology include: HIHS Keaʻau Shelter, the Animal Community Center in Kona, County of Hawaiʻi Animal Control Services and Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance.

This tool will be easily accessible to participating animal organizations nationwide, as well as any pet parent or person who finds a lost pet.

“We see firsthand how quickly a pet can go missing, whether they were curious, following a scent, wandered through an open gate or became scared during a storm,” said, Hawaii Island Humane Society CEO Lauren Nickerson. “We work tirelessly to care for pets, whether they’re awaiting their forever home or lost and need help getting back to their families. There’s nothing more rewarding than reuniting families with their beloved pets and with Petco Love Lost, we’re confident it can lead to many more happy reunions, right here on Hawaii Island.”

According to industry statistics, one in every three pets will go missing in their lifetime, which is an estimated 10 million pets each year.

“That gives us 10 million reasons why we created Petco Love Lost, because we believe nothing is more important than keeping people and pets together for a lifetime of love,” stated President of Petco Love, Susanne Kogut. “Together with Hawaii Island Humane Society, our goal is to keep pets where they belong – at home, with you.”

If you’ve lost or found a pet, visit petcolovelost.org.