Dedicated Volunteers Rescuing Lost Dogs

When Boycie, the old tyme bulldog, leapt over a fence, spooked by a passing hot air balloon, his worried owner Ralph Slaney exclaimed, “You don’t realise what you’ve got ’till it’s gone.” Yet, thanks to an extraordinary team of volunteers, Boycie was found safe and sound, all thanks to cutting-edge technology, drones, coordinated efforts, and even some streaky bacon.

Drone Search and Rescue (SAR) for Lost Dogs has become a beacon of hope for distressed pet owners in recent years. Operating through a Facebook group, this incredible 6,000-strong volunteer force uses advanced technology including drones and thermal imaging cameras, combined with some good old-fashioned methods involving sausages, smoked bacon, and sardines to track down missing pets.

Graham Burton, the brain behind Drone SAR, initiated this venture in 2017. Sparked by a post of a missing golden retriever, he thought, “Why not use drones?”

From its humble beginnings, the group has now swelled to…