Lost Pet? Call First.

Yes. Call for urgent cases or if the available times do not work.

Bad weather such as thunderstorms, rain, or snow. Extremely strong winds with sustained speeds above 25 mph at operating altitude or gusts above 43 mph. Airspace restrictions that prevent flight operations. Local restrictions such as lack of a suitable launch location, no public easement, or no legal parking nearby.

Every search is different and depends on terrain, environment, sightings, and available information.

Generally, searches begin around buildings and developed areas, then expand along roads in a clockwise sweep pattern. This process continues until there are no buildings or roads within approximately a 3,000-foot radius. Forested areas are then searched using line-search or parallel-search patterns within approximately a 2,000-foot radius. Search methods may change significantly depending on terrain, weather, and information provided by the owner.

This depends on the environment and distance involved.

When a pet is located, I will mark the area using a laser rangefinder and provide GPS coordinates or a nearby address. Depending on battery life and distance, I may keep the drone overhead and guide you in using the speaker and spotlight, or relocate closer and relaunch to continue guidance.

If the pet is located on private property, permission may need to be obtained before retrieval. Once you arrive, you will be responsible for safely recovering your pet.

No.

When the pet is located, you must use whatever method normally works to safely approach, leash, crate, or transport your pet. Attempting to physically capture an unfamiliar animal may scare it away or create additional risks.

In some situations, animal control or another qualified organization may be a better option.

Bring your phone, vehicle, weather-appropriate clothing, water if needed, and anything that may help attract your pet such as treats, toys, bedding, a leash, carrier, or food.

Payment is due after the search is completed.

Cash is preferred and checks are accepted. Card processing is not currently available due to the size of the operation. Payment details will be discussed before the search begins and finalized when the search concludes.

The drone itself is insured.

General business liability insurance is not currently carried in order to keep operating costs low. All flight operations are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and safety procedures.

Searches require time for travel, setup, flight operations, changing conditions, and communication with the owner. Scheduling in blocks helps ensure adequate time is available for each search.

The DJI Matrice 4T.

It is a professional thermal drone designed for public safety, inspection, and search operations. The thermal camera, spotlight, speaker, and zoom capabilities help identify potential lost pets and guide owners to them, including during nighttime operations.

Yes.

Night and early morning are often the best times to search because thermal imaging generally performs best when the ground has cooled and there is less human activity. Weather conditions can also significantly affect thermal performance.

Immediately.

The first 24 hours are often the most important period for locating a lost pet and establishing likely travel patterns. As time passes, search areas may expand significantly and information from sightings becomes increasingly important.

Yes.

Search methods can be adjusted depending on the species, breed, behavior, size, and environment involved. All animals emit heat that can potentially be detected by thermal imaging. Success depends on many factors including animal size, terrain, vegetation, structures, weather conditions, and whether the animal is concealed.

Yes.

I hold a part 107 commercial licence for UAS operations. I also have over 125 flight hours on the Matrice 4T. I am focusing on getting my BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) and OOP/OOV (Operations over people/vehicle) waivers as soon as possible.