Clay County Animal Services now using facial recognition technology to help find pets faster

Jacksonville FL — Clay County Animal Services is now using facial recognition technology to help reunite you with your pet if they go missing. They are partnering with Findingrover.com which uses facial recognition technology through photos of your missing pet to find a match. Annaleasa Winter with the county says the technology has a 98% accuracy rate because it uses 130 scan points including things like fur color, snout length and space between the eyes.

“If your pet goes missing, it should just be a matter of moments before you can be reunited.” Winter says.

Its free to sign up and Winter says the information will remain private. When you sign up you’ll be asked to upload a forward-facing photo and Winter says that is key.

“And there can’t be any obstructions like a cage or anything like that.” Winter says.

She says you’ll be asked a few questions about your pet and you’ll be asked to provide your name and address.

The benefits of this new partnership don’t just end at helping to reunite pets with their owners, Winter says you can find a pet you’d like to adopt or help other people find theirs if are looking. Also, the program helps to save taxpayers money and is beneficial for the animals too at the shelter.

“By clearing out these lost pets quickly, it saves room and funding for animals that don’t have homes.” Winter says.

If you'd like to sign up, you can go to findingrover.com to get started.