When microchips fail, this community animal app is using facial recognition software to reunite lost pets with their owners.
Finding Rover is a service that allows people to upload photos of their cats or dogs to an online database. If a user’s pet goes missing, they can have their animal listed as missing on the platform.
Fellow app users in the area will be notified of the missing animal so they can keep their eyes open. Then, if an animal is ever found, a user can take a picture of the rescued animal and submit it to the database. If the animal’s face resembles any of the profiles in the database, the platform will list possible facial matches and notify the owners of the matching pets.
Over 400 American animal shelters, veterinarians, and rescue organizations utilize the app as a backup solution for any lost pet that is found without a microchip.
RELATED: This Kindness App Pairs People With Problems to Neighbors Who Have the Specific Solution
While animal specialists recommend that people microchip their pets, the app can also come in handy for spooked animals that may be evading rescue.
Additionally, the app has an adoption section where shelters and rescue facilities can post pictures and details about animals that are in need of a forever home.
Finding Rover is available for free on Google Play and iTunes.
(WATCH the 2013 news coverage of the app below)
Be Sure And Share The Pawesome Idea With Your Friends – Representative photo by Mark Turnauckas, CC