New app uses pet biometrics to find lost cats and dogs
The Petnow app can scan dogs’ noses and cats’ faces to help these animals reunite with their owners
grafoto1/stock.adobe.com
Artificial intelligence is now being used to help pet owners find their lost animal companions. The Petnow app, recently launched in Australia and New Zealand, uses advanced pet biometrics to help reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners by using mobile phones to scan and recognize the unique nose prints of dogs and the facial features of cats.
Released by Petnow Inc, a South Korea-based developer of pet identification solutions, the app allows users to send alerts to neighbors when a registered pet goes missing. According to the company, the goal is to enable quicker and more efficient recoveries through community involvement.1
The Petnow app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play in both Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, the pet identification services offered by the app are free for pet owners. According to the company, the app provides extra protection for pets without needing specialized devices. The app also allows community members without pets to participate by assisting in the reunion of lost animals, according to a news release.
Petnow app. (Photo courtesy of PetNow Inc)
PetNow Inc’s pet biometrics technology is undergoing pilot testing for integration with the Korean national pet registry. Furthermore, the company is in talks with pet insurance providers, pet registry management authorities, and pet adoption agencies in Europe and North America to expand its use.
"Since early 2024, we have garnered significant attention and forged connections with partners worldwide, demonstrating our technology's strong performance in competitions like the iF Design Award, Interzoo Fresh Ideas Stage, and VIVA Technology MyGlobalVillage. We are eager to welcome new partners in Australia and New Zealand following our app launch," Jesse Joonho Lim, PhD, CEO of Petnow Inc, said in an organizational release.1
Animal shelters across the globe
Statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), an animal welfare charity in England and Wales, reveal that more than 87,000 animals are admitted to shelters in Australia annually, and around 33,000 animals enter shelters in New Zealand each year, according to a news release.1 Additionally, in Australia, 3% of pets are homeless, with 110,000 of them being cats and 38,000 being dogs. In Australian shelters, there are approximately 62,000 dogs across the country, and almost twice the number of cats at 117,000. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, 12% of cats and dogs are homeless.2,3
According to the State of Pet Homelessness Project, a global data initiative on the global state of pet homelessness, approximately 362 million cats and dogs are homeless across 20 surveyed countries. The report also revealed that nearly half of the people surveyed reported having lost a pet, with 60% of those never recovered.2,3
References
- Biometrics for dogs and cats: Petnow app launches in Australia and New Zealand. News release. Petnow Inc. July 24, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biometrics-for-dogs-and-cats-petnow-app-launches-in-australia-and-new-zealand-302205016.html
- State of Pet Homelessness Project: A global initiative for understanding pet homelessness. Mars Petcare or Affiliates. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://stateofpethomelessness.com
- Global research reveals how many stray animals are on the street. Animal Friendly Life. January 29, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://animalfriendlylife.com.au/news/global-research-reveals-how-many-stray-animals-are-on-the-streets/
