Dover, DE (August 13, 2026) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) has announced an upgrade to the state’s lost and found pet reporting system in collaboration with Petco Love Lost. This partnership introduces a free nationwide database specifically designated as Delaware's official platform for reporting lost and found pets, making it the first state in the U.S. to adopt Petco Love Lost for statewide use.
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Petco Love is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving animal welfare. Its Petco Love Lost service utilizes artificial intelligence-based photo-matching technology to assist pet owners and finders in reuniting lost pets with their families at no cost. Through this platform, users can upload photos of lost or found pets to search for potential matches in nearby shelters or communities. Since its launch, Petco Love Lost has successfully reunited over 250,000 pets with their families.
The Delaware Animal Services (DAS) previously initiated a statewide Lost and Found Pet Registry in 2016, a pioneering effort intended to streamline pet recovery and eliminate fragmented reporting systems. Under the current regulations, animal shelters in Delaware are required to post information about lost pets that come into their care within 24 hours. With this new integration, the OAW expands upon the previous successes of the registry by transitioning to the Petco Love Lost framework, aiming to enhance lost pet recovery efforts throughout the state and set a precedent for other states to follow.
In addition to maintaining Delaware’s lost and found pet reporting requirements, this partnership offers more resources to both shelters and pet owners in a unified platform, increasing visibility for families searching for their lost pets. Should a pet go missing outside of Delaware, the extensive national database offers additional support, allowing for quicker reunification across state lines, including during emergencies or natural disasters.
Christina Motoyoshi, OAW executive director, emphasized the importance of reuniting lost pets swiftly, stating that transitioning to Petco Love Lost modernizes the reporting and identification process while providing innovative tools to improve statewide reunification efforts.
Chelsea Staley, President of Petco Love, highlighted the significant impact of this initiative, noting that roughly one in three pets goes missing at some point in their lives, totaling an estimated 10 million pets annually. Staley expressed enthusiasm for Delaware's commitment to prioritizing lost pet reunification, which will aid both shelters and families in finding pets quickly.
Residents of Delaware who have lost or found pets are encouraged to utilize the Petco Love Lost platform to file reports, upload photos, and scan for possible matches. Pet parents can also upload their pet’s images in advance, preparing for the event of a pet going missing and facilitating the quick creation of lost pet reports.
The Delaware Office of Animal Welfare focuses on ensuring the health and safety of both animals and people in the state by overseeing shelters, enforcing regulations, and providing community education on animal care.
Petco Love has empowered over 4,000 animal welfare partners since its inception in 1999, investing nearly $441 million into adoption and other animal welfare initiatives. The organization has been pivotal in finding homes for over 7.1 million pets, showcasing its commitment to innovative solutions such as Petco Love Lost to enhance pet recovery efforts.