A volunteer search team dedicated to reuniting lost dogs with their owners on the Isle of Wight has received a major boost thanks to the donation of a new life-saving drone.
Drone SAR For Lost Dogs IOW has been gifted a brand new DJI M4T drone by local charity Friends of the Animals, enhancing the group’s ability to locate missing animals across the Island.
The team, made up entirely of volunteers, operates in a range of environments including farmland, woodland, cliffs and remote countryside. Searches are often carried out in challenging conditions and at all hours.
Using drones equipped with thermal imaging, the group can cover large areas quickly and efficiently. This significantly improves the chances of finding lost or injured dogs, as well as livestock and other animals that may otherwise go unnoticed.
The newly donated drone has been named “Scampy” in memory of Friends of the Animals’ late mascot. In keeping with the team’s tradition, all drones are named after dogs that did not make it home.
A spokesperson for Drone SAR For Lost Dogs IOW has said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Friends of the Animals for this amazing donation. This drone will make a real difference to our searches and ultimately help us bring more dogs home safely.
Article continues below this advertisement “As a volunteer team, all of our equipment is either personally funded or made possible through donations, so support like this is absolutely invaluable to us.”
Friends of the Animals, a well-known Isle of Wight charity, continues to support causes that directly benefit animals in the community.
A representative from the charity has said:
“We are proud to support the incredible work carried out by Drone SAR For Lost Dogs IOW. Their commitment to helping reunite lost dogs and other animals with their families is truly inspiring, and we’re delighted to contribute towards that mission.”
The drone will now be used in ongoing and future search operations across the Isle of Wight, improving the team’s ability to respond quickly when animals go missing.
Drone SAR For Lost Dogs IOW is also seeking additional volunteers, including qualified drone pilots, ground searchers and dog handlers with trained search dogs.
How do people lose their dogs!!
Keep them on a lead