Codename: Retriever

This project is excellent for anyone with pets! We are looking to fill a variety of roles, especially in content creation and marketing. If you are interested in joining, contact us to find out more.

Codename: Retriever

A Community That Looks Out for Each Other's Pets

As a pet owner, you understand the bond between people and their animal companions. You'd want someone to help if your pet ever went missing. Our new mobile app makes it easy to be that person for others—and builds a community that will be there for you when you need them.

The more pet owners actively watching for missing pets in their area, the better chance every lost pet has of coming home safely. By keeping an eye out for other people's pets, you create the network that could one day bring your own pet home.

Be Part of a Neighbourhood Watch for Pets

Interactive Community Map

See which pets are missing in your immediate area so you can keep an eye out for them as you go about your day.

What this means for you:

  • Know which pets to watch for in your neighbourhood recognise while walking and out and about
  • Help other pet owners by reporting sightings of pets you recognise from the map
  • Tap on any pet marker to see their photo and details so you know what to look for
  • Check the map regularly with automatic updates—new missing pets appear as they're reported
  • Be part of a community watch network where everyone looks out for each other's pets

Distance-Based Filtering

Focus on the pets missing in your immediate area—the ones you're most likely to encounter.

What this means for you:

  • View pets within 5, 10, 25, or 50 miles based on where you typically spend your time
  • See exactly how far each pet is from your location
  • Focus on the pets you can realistically help while going about your daily routine
  • Know that others in your immediate area are watching for your pet too

Share Information and Help Each Other

Community Messaging

When you spot a missing pet, you can report it to the owner directly recognise. When someone sees your pet, they can reach you the same way.

What this means for you:

  • Report sightings of pets you recognise, from the map—your message could reunite a family
  • Receive sighting reports from others when they see your pet
  • Ask follow-up questions when you're not sure if the pet you saw matches the description
  • Share helpful details like "I saw them near the dog park at 3pm" or "They seemed friendly and approached me"
  • Know when someone is reporting an actual sighting versus offering general tips
  • Build connections with other pet owners in your community

Alert Notifications Centre

All your active conversations appear in one place, with the most recent messages visible.

What this means for you:

  • Never miss a potential sighting notification
  • Quickly respond to time-sensitive information
  • Track which reports have new activity without checking each one individually
  • See timestamps so you know how recent each message is

Create Complete, Accurate Reports

Detailed Pet Information

Include your pet's name, species, breed, age, colours, size, distinctive features, and health information.

What this means for you:

  • Help people identify your pet accurately—reducing false sightings
  • Provide medical information that could save your pet's life if they're injured
  • Include collar and microchip details that prove ownership
  • Add reward information to motivate searchers
  • Specify when and where your pet was last seen so people know what to look for

Multiple Photos

Upload several photos from different angles, showing your pet's features.

What this means for you:

  • Give searchers the best chance of recognising your pet
  • Show distinctive markings or features that identify your specific pet
  • Update photos as needed if your pet's appearance changes
  • Ensure at least one photo displays prominently in all listings

Manage Your Search Effectively

Personal Dashboard

See all your reported pets in one organised view.

What this means for you:

  • Track how many days each pet has been missing
  • Quickly access and update any report
  • Edit details if you remember additional information
  • Remove reports when your pet is found
  • Keep your contact information current so people can reach you

Edit and Update Anytime

You maintain complete control over your reports and can modify them whenever needed.

What this means for you:

  • Add new sighting locations as you learn more
  • Update contact information if you're staying somewhere else
  • Correct mistakes or add forgotten details
  • Mark pets as found and optionally share your success story

Celebrate Success and Stay Hopeful Together

Gallery of Reunited Pets

See the pets that made it home thanks to community members like you.

What this means for you:

  • Celebrate the wins—these reunions happened because people looked out for each other
  • Find hope if your own pet goes missing
  • Learn what worked for others in your area
  • Share your success story when your pet comes home, giving hope to others
  • See the real impact of a community watching out for each other's pets

Active Missing Pets Feed

Browse missing pet reports to know who you're looking for as you go about your day.

What this means for you:

  • Familiarise yourself with pets missing in your area so you recognise them if you see them
  • Report sightings that could help reunite pets with their families
  • Connect with other pet owners who understand what you're going through
  • Contribute to the community safety net that protects all our pets

Location Makes the Community Work

GPS-Enabled Search

The app shows you pets that are missing near you, so**** that you can help people in your immediate community.

What this means for you:

  • See pets missing in your neighbourhood, workplace, or anywhere you travel
  • Know exactly where each pet was last seen, so that you can watch those areas
  • When you report your own pet, others nearby will see it immediately
  • The right people see the correct information—neighbours helping neighbours

Map Centring and Controls

The map focuses on your area, and you can refresh your location at any time.

What this means for you:

  • No manual address entry required
  • Update your position as you move around searching
  • Return to your location instantly if you've been browsing other areas
  • Zoom in for street-level detail or out for a broader view

Simple, Focused Tools

Five Clear Sections

  • Map: See where missing pets are located
  • Alerts: View and respond to messages
  • Dashboard: Manage your pet reports
  • Gallery: Browse missing and reunited pets
  • News: Access resources and updates

What this means for you:

  • Find what you need quickly without searching through menus
  • Access critical information with one tap
  • Stay organised during a stressful situation
  • Focus on finding your pet rather than learning complicated software

How to Use Our App

Every Day (Even When Your Pet Isn't Missing):

  1. Check the map to see which pets are missing in your area, and turn on notifications to stay informed.
  2. Keep an eye out as you walk, drive, or spend time in your yard
  3. Report sightings when you see a pet that matches a missing pet description
  4. Build the network that will be there for you if you ever need it

When Your Pet Goes Missing:

  1. Report immediately using your dashboard—include detailed photos and information
  2. Monitor your alerts for sighting reports from the community watching out for you
  3. Respond to messages and provide additional details to help people identify your pet
  4. Update your report with new information as your search progresses
  5. Browse the gallery for hope and tips from successful reunions

When Your Pet Comes Home:

  1. Mark them as found in your dashboard
  2. Thank the community who helped look for your pet
  3. Share your success story to give hope to others
  4. Keep using the app to help other pet owners the way people helped you

The strength of our new app lies in its community. Every person who actively searches for missing pets strengthens the network for everyone. By helping others, you ensure there are eyes looking out for your pet if they ever need it.

Revenue Model

To be decided - we have some ideas. One thing, though, is that pet owners can sign up and use the app for FREE!

Project News

We're exploring AI-powered pet recognition for the app - and it's looking very promising.

Here's how it would work:

📸 Register your pet — Upload a few photos from different angles. Our AI creates a unique "visual fingerprint" based on their facial features, markings, and patterns.

🗺️ Location-aware matching — If your pet goes missing, they're added to our community map. Other users in your area are alerted to keep an eye out.

👀 Spot a lost pet? — Snap a photo. The AI instantly compares it to nearby pets reported missing and shows potential matches, ranked by similarity and distance.

📲 Instant connection — Found a match? Message the owner directly through the app. Your sighting could be the one that brings them home.

The tech behind this uses the same principles as facial recognition — but adapted for our furry friends. Research shows these systems can currently achieve 80-90% accuracy, especially when combining facial features with body markings; and this will only get better over time.

The real power isn't just the AI though. It's the community. A neighbourhood watch for pets, where everyone's keeping an eye out for each other.

🐕 🐈 Coming soon to Codename: Retriever.

Interested in helping build this? We're looking for people to join the project — especially in content creation and marketing. Get in touch via colchester.dev

Funding

Private Funding

This project has private funding.

Last Updated

Nov 24, 2025

Activity Score

High Activity
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Get in Touch

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