Despite the availability of free image-recognition tools, adoption rates for lost-pet technology remain low across Volusia County. The collaboration aims to bridge this gap by creating a comprehensive outreach roadmap that local government agencies, disaster responders, and rescue organizations can implement. By encouraging pet owners to register their animals before emergencies occur, the initiative seeks to drastically reduce the number of pets entering shelters, thereby saving local organizations millions in housing costs.

Students from UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education are designing the campaign’s KPIs and community engagement framework. This project serves as a model that the national nonprofit Petco Love intends to scale to other regions. For the students, the effort provides hands-on experience in public administration, while for local families, it offers a proactive defense against the trauma of losing a companion. Owners can currently secure their pets’ information by creating profiles at PetcoLoveLost.org.