Mission Viejo Animal Services uses donated drone technology to reunite lost dog with owner

Thanks to the generous donation of a state-of-the-art thermal imaging unmanned aerial system (UAS) from the Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) has successfully utilized drone technology to reunite a lost dog with her grateful owner.

Earlier this week, MVAS received an emotional call from a resident whose dog Josie had gone missing for more than 24 hours after being startled in a remote area. Understanding the urgency and challenges of locating a frightened pet in open terrain, the department deployed its FAA-licensed remote pilot to conduct an aerial search using the newly donated drone's advanced thermal and imaging capabilities.

The initial search did not yield any immediate results, but after receiving updated reports of a possible sighting, the UAS operator redeployed to the area. Using the drone's thermal imaging, the operator located Josie traveling along a remote trail and tracked her for nearly a mile while coordinating with her owner on the phone.

Animal Services was able to guide the owner to position herself ahead of Josie's path. When Josie entered a nearby park, her owner calmly called to her, and after a few anxious moments, Josie recognized the familiar voice. Her fear melted away as she wagged her tail and joyfully leapt into her owner's arms.

"This is exactly the kind of compassionate, community-focused outcome we strive to achieve," said Kyle Werner, Animal Services Manager and Chief of Field Services. "Thanks to DAWG's incredible generosity, our team now has another vital tool to help reunite families with their beloved pets, especially in cases where terrain or time makes traditional searches difficult."

Mission Viejo Animal Services continues to innovate and integrate new technology to enhance animal welfare, community safety, and service to residents. The department extends heartfelt thanks to DAWG for its ongoing partnership and dedication to helping lost pets find their way home.