OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Over the past decade, the nonprofit Lost Pets of Omaha Area has stepped up its services as volunteers searching for lost animals. The group is currently looking to purchase a thermal imaging drone to add to its resources.
- Jim Welsh tells the story of losing his dog Oreo for three weeks last December.
- Rich Eaton, an Omaha-area lost pet owner, and other pet rescue organizations across the country have found that using thermal imaging technology can help them more accurately identify animals and find their pets faster. says.
- However, the organization faces cost challenges, as thermal imaging drones can cost between $9,00 and $20,000.
Broadcast transcript:
We help families reunite with their pets. Lost pets in the Omaha area are looking to technology to help find their pets faster.
It's been a terrifying winter for Jim Welsh, who lost his dog Oreo twice this December.
“When you lose a dog, it just means you have this poor defenseless creature that needs help and doesn't know how to get it,” Wales said.
He contacted Lost Pets in the Omaha area, who helped reunite the two after three long weeks and then again four days later.
“I didn't let him go, and he didn't let me go.”
He's not the only dog owner who has had to wait for his dog to come home.
“We've seen weeks go by for pets, and there are quite a few examples like that,” said Rich Eaton, director of the Omaha Area Lost Pets Association.
That's why the nonprofit is exploring new ways to find pets faster.
The group is looking to purchase high-quality drones equipped with thermal imaging technology, saying it has not had success with standard drones.
“What we've found is that if you climb high enough to see any territory, you can't see the details of your pet, and if you're too low, you can't hide the territory very well. It's better to walk. Maybe.”
Not only are current drones difficult to observe animals, but they are also limited by weather.
Eaton said other pet rescue organizations around the country have found they can more accurately identify animals by using thermal imaging technology.
But they face major challenges. This type of drone costs him anywhere from $9,000 to $20,000, and he has limited funds.
So they're hoping donors will step in and help.
Pet owners like Jim Welsh think it might help.
“Certainly, it couldn't do any harm,” said Mr. Wales.
For now, the organization plans to stick with the resources and technology it has and reach out to its community on Facebook.
