Amarillo Rolls Out AI Technology to Help Reunite Lost Pets with Their Families

The one thing about Amarillo is that most people love their pets. The hearts of pet lovers in Amarillo are HUGE! For most residents, their pets are like their children and are spoiled rotten. So when they go missing, pet parents panic.

Common Ways People Try to Keep Pets Safe

Most people take all the precautions possible to protect their pets. They have them microchipped, so if they get lost, the chip can be scanned and the pet can be reunited. However, sometimes that doesn't work because pet parents forget to keep their accounts updated with current information.

Others use tracking collars or devices to monitor their pets’ location, but these can fail, especially if not charged.

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How Does the City of Amarillo Help with Lost Pets?

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare (AAMW) is proactively taking steps to help ensure the safe return of your pet if they are lost.

AAMW is teaming up with Petco Love, a national nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare, and stepping into the world of AI to help reunite pets with their families. It uses AI facial recognition technology based on photos and profiles. The program is integrated with the AAMW website and neighborhood apps.

How Does Pet Facial Recognition Work?

• Take a clear photo of your lost pet
• Create a profile on the AAMW website or through Petco Love Lost
• Upload your pet’s photo and basic information
• The AI system scans found pet reports from shelters, neighbors, and community members
• If a match is found, the owner is alerted with the details
• Anyone who finds a pet can also upload a photo and location to help reunite it with its owner.
• View an interactive map with lost and found reports, shelter pets, and neighborhood posts
• All features are free and available through the AAMW website

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Visit the AAMW website; their page includes a searchable list of pets that are in the care of the AAMW, plus an interactive map of missing and found pets. If you cannot find your pet, then take the above steps to enter your pet into the database.

AAMW’s Mission to Keep Amarillo Pets Safe

“We are excited to introduce this technology to our community,” said AAMW Director Victoria Medley. “Through this partnership, we, along with the community, will have the ability to reunite lost pets with their families more quickly while potentially reducing the number of animals entering our shelter.”