Thermal Drone Pet Recovery
Aerial thermal imaging can provide critical information to aid in all kinds of search and rescue scenarios. One of the growing use cases for aerial thermal imaging is in lost pet/animal search. We use thermal drone technology to help lost pet owners across the Dallas/Fort Worth area find their missing animals.
Thermal drone technology makes it possible to search a wider area from the air with a sensor capable of reliably detecting heat signatures from an animal as small as a rabbit. When it comes to searching for an animal in thick vegetation or in other environments that hinder traditional search efforts, this method makes a world of difference.
How Thermal Drone Pet Search Works
Thermal drone lost pet search might seem like an abstract concept, so we’ll break down how the process works.
Timing of the Search
For best results, we conduct our thermal drone pet searches at night. After sunset, the surrounding landscape/terrain features begin to cool off. After sufficient cooling has taken place, animals’ heat signatures will register much more clearly on the thermal sensor.
Our state-of-the-art thermal drone is equipped with a bright spotlight to facilitate search efforts. When we see an animal of interest, we can turn the spotlight on, change the view to the traditional drone camera, and assess whether the animal is the one we’re looking for.
Type of Surrounding Geography
While this search method can be viable in suburban areas, it proves most effective in large fields, wooded areas, and other places that are difficult and time consuming to search on foot. For example, several square miles can be quickly scanned with a thermal drone in a fraction of the time it would take to complete a conventional search.
The Season
The season also plays a role.
During the summer, if an animal is lost in a thickly wooded area, depending on its size, it can be more difficult to pick up its heat signature on the thermal sensor. When searching in thick woods, we typically take it slower and make several passes through the area to maximize the chances of picking up the animal’s heat signature.
At this time of year, we also wait longer after sunset to begin the search to give the surrounding terrain and vegetation adequate time to cool.
During the winter, the lack of thick foliage makes it much easier to spot an animal’s heat signature. Additionally, the surrounding terrain features start out much colder, which makes it that much easier for a lost pet’s heat signature to register on the thermal sensor.
How We Fit into the Search Process
We always do our best to locate lost animals, but even if the thermal drone search doesn’t result in the animal being located, the process is still effective and worthwhile, as it can help direct further search efforts by narrowing down the list of possible areas where the animal is located.
In other words, even if the animal is not found with the drone, if we are able to clear several square miles from the list of possible areas, that can still make a significant difference in the overall search effort.
For a relatively small fee to cover mileage, equipment wear and tear, and other operational costs, we can provide an aerial thermal asset to aid in the search for your lost animal. We strive to make this service viable for us to continue offering while maximizing the value for lost pet owners.
To get in touch with us regarding your lost pet in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, click on the button below. To increase the chance of successfully finding your lost pet, reach out as soon as possible in the search process.
If we are unable to take on a case, we have a robust network of local thermal drone operators who we can contact to assist.
Learn More from Our Blog
Our blog highlights real-world experiences using thermal drones to find lost pets. Take a look at these posts to learn more: