Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center is the first shelter in Michigan to utilize a new, high tech tool to help return dogs to their owners, County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced today. The Finding Rover app (compatible with iPhone and Android) and website uses facial recognition technology to identify lost dogs with 98 percent accuracy.
“Oakland County is nationally recognized as a leader in implementing technology to improve how we operate,” Patterson said. “The Finding Rover app is just one more example of our commitment.”
Here’s how it works. Using a smartphone, a pet owner takes a front-facing shot of their dog that includes a clear view of the eyes and nose. They are the two most important features in facial recognition technology. Then, the pet owner uploads the photo to the Finding Rover app or website. Once approved, Finding Rover keeps the photo in its database.
Download the app and bring Rover home in a snap!
Photo credit: www.FindingRover.com
If a person finds a lost dog, he or she can take a photo in the same manner and upload it to the Finding Rover app or website. Finding Rover then scans its database for a match. If there is a match, Finding Rover notifies the owner who can then call the person who found their pet to arrange a pickup.
As of August, Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center staff will register every dog that enters the shelter on Finding Rover. The Center’s staff will scan Finding Rover for matches. Finding Rover members can also look at every dog in the shelter when attempting to find their lost pet.
“Finding Rover will revolutionize how we return lost dogs to their owners,” said Bob Gatt, manager of Oakland County Animal Control Division. “We really encourage every dog owner to upload a photo of their dog to this free app.”
In addition, the Center’s adoptable dogs will also be on Finding Rover. “Now it is easier than ever to search for your missing dog or adopt a new family member,” Gatt said.
Finding Rover is free and available to anyone to using an iPhone or Android product or a personal computer. It’s simple to register using Facebook or email. For more information, go to www.FindingRover.com.
About Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center
Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center, under the leadership of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, offers housing and medical care to more than 5,000 animals on an annual basis. It has the best live release rate in Michigan among public open-admission shelters whose intakes are greater than 5,000 animals. It is responsible for animal control services in over 40 Oakland County communities.
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