Williamson County director touts Petco Love Lost as a regional reunification tool
July 13, 2026 | Austin, Travis County, Texas
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Misty Valenta, director of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, described Petco Love Lost, a free photo-based reunification platform used in Williamson County and by regional shelters.
Valenta said the platform uses image-recognition to match found and lost-pet photos and that shelters and finders can post pictures and search a regional database; notifications are emailed when potential matches are found. She highlighted dashboard features for shelter staff — potential matches, notes, contact history and microchip search capability — and said the tool increased reunifications during spikes such as the Central Texas floods and July 4 fireworks events. Valenta also noted limitations: the platform currently supports dogs and cats and has integration challenges with some social-media groups due to privacy and segmentation.
Commissioners asked whether the platform uses AI/photo recognition (Valenta confirmed a form of AI) and whether Travis County/Austin uses the tool (staff confirmed Austin Animal Services uses Petco Love Lost the same way). Valenta emphasized safeguards to reduce scams and described the platform as a free resource that augments shelter reunification work.
No formal action was taken; commissioners expressed interest in the platform as a tool to reduce shelter length of stay and support reunifications.
Valenta said the platform uses image-recognition to match found and lost-pet photos and that shelters and finders can post pictures and search a regional database; notifications are emailed when potential matches are found. She highlighted dashboard features for shelter staff — potential matches, notes, contact history and microchip search capability — and said the tool increased reunifications during spikes such as the Central Texas floods and July 4 fireworks events. Valenta also noted limitations: the platform currently supports dogs and cats and has integration challenges with some social-media groups due to privacy and segmentation.
Commissioners asked whether the platform uses AI/photo recognition (Valenta confirmed a form of AI) and whether Travis County/Austin uses the tool (staff confirmed Austin Animal Services uses Petco Love Lost the same way). Valenta emphasized safeguards to reduce scams and described the platform as a free resource that augments shelter reunification work.
No formal action was taken; commissioners expressed interest in the platform as a tool to reduce shelter length of stay and support reunifications.
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