AI helps Love Lost reunite a Washington woman with her missing Maine Coon cat
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Imagine the heartbreak of a lost pet. For Sharon, a senior living in Ridgefield, Washington, that fear became a reality when her beloved cat Louie, an indoor-only cat who had never ventured outside, slid out the window. For 11 long days, I searched everywhere. But thanks to a free tool called Love Lost and the kindness of good neighbors, Louie is back home safe and sound.
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Sharon and Louie’s happy meeting
Louie, a bright orange Maine Coon cat who had just turned two years old, was adopted by Sharon and quickly became part of her family. When Louie disappeared, Sharon and her family knocked on doors and checked with their local shelter, the Humane Society of Southwest Washington. The staff there suggested uploading Louie’s photo to Love Lost and creating a free profile.
Sharon’s beloved cat, Louie, slid out of a window and disappeared for 11 days. (Petco Love)
Eleven days later, Sharon received a message via Love Lost chat from a neighbor who had seen a cat sitting on a roof near a vet’s office. The good Samaritan went directly to Love Lost, viewed Sharon’s post and reached out to him using the built-in chat feature. This tool allows pet parents and pet seekers to connect directly without sharing personal contact information. Together they tracked down Lowe in a storage yard behind the building. After 11 exhausting days, Louis finally returned to Sharon’s arms.
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“We were thrilled. When I posted on Love Lost, it was easy to use. If it hadn’t been simple, I probably wouldn’t have finished it,” Sharon said. “Thank you, thank you, lost love, for bringing Louie home.”
Love Lost, powered by Petco Love, is a national AI-driven database that matches photos of lost and found pets. Sharon joked that if she could figure it out, anyone could.
Emotional Reunion shows how simple technology and society can bring pets home. (Petco Love)
What makes lost love strong
Love Lost works using AI image matching technology. When you upload a photo of your pet, the system compares it to photos from nearly every major shelter across the United States, as well as photos posted on platforms like Nextdoor and Ring’s Neighbors app. The platform also includes a secure chat feature, which was used in this case, allowing researchers and pet parents to communicate without sharing personal phone numbers or emails, making communication safe and simple.
This fall, Love Lost will roll out a new feature called Search Party. It allows pet parents to quickly mobilize their community by printing flyers, sharing posts on social media, and coordinating search areas. This structure helps reduce stress when every second counts.
A neighbor used the Love Lost chat feature to help Sharon track down Louie. (Petco Love)
Alternatives to consider: Pet trackers
While Love Lost is an excellent safety net, pet parents may also want to consider pet tracking devices. These small GPS devices attach to your dog or cat’s collar and allow you to follow their real-time location on your phone.
CyberGuy has reviewed some of the best pet trackers for peace of mind, whether you’re dealing with an adventurous cat or a dog slipping out of the yard. Using both a tracker and a Love Lost device gives you double protection if your pet goes missing.
Check out our list of the best pet trackers on CyberGuy.com.
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What does this mean for you?
If you have a pet, now is a good time to prepare. It only takes a minute to upload a photo of your furry friend to Love Lost, and it can save days of panic later. You’ll be ready to report it missing with just one click, and the system will instantly search for matches. Pairing Love Lost with a pet tracker ensures you’re covered on both fronts: community-supported recovery and real-time location tracking.
Plus, be sure to check out our comprehensive pet guide to keeping your pets happy, healthy and entertained with these innovative solutions at CyberGuy.com/.
The bright orange Maine Coon was 2 years old when he disappeared. (Petco Love)
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Key takeaways for Kurt
Sharon’s reunion with Louie is a reminder of the bond we share with our pets and how technology and neighbors can help keep that bond unbroken. By taking a few minutes now, you can set yourself up for success if the unthinkable happens.
If your pet goes out tonight, do you have a plan to get them home quickly? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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