Pinellas County Animal Services has integrated an AI-powered platform into its operations to help match lost pets with their owners, and early results suggest the technology is working.
The agency began using Petco Love Lost — a free tool developed by Petco’s nonprofit arm — roughly two months ago through its Found Center website. People who find or lose a dog or cat can upload photos of the animal, along with details such as the location it was spotted and any distinctive physical traits. The software then scans the images and cross-references them against a nationwide database to find potential matches.
The tool has already shown measurable results. Pinellas County’s dog reunion rate, which had been around 40% — already above the national average — climbed to 50% after implementation.
Director Jennifer Renner said the platform updates in real time. When county officers pick up a stray, they photograph the animal and upload it immediately, triggering an instant search for a match. If a match is found, officers can return the pet to its owner in the field without ever bringing it to the shelter.
Renner noted that shelters are stressful environments for animals, making faster reunions a priority. She encouraged pet owners to keep microchip registrations current and ensure their animals wear collars with up-to-date identification tags.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, an estimated 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States each year.
Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Google, & X
St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater news at PIE-Sun.com
St. Pete-Clearwater Sun 
Leave a comment