Fur Alert app helping find lost pets

GLOUCESTER TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Gloucester Township police are urging residents to use the Fur Alert app so they can connect the community if a pet goes missing in their area.

The Fur Alert app uses technology to immediately alert users up to a 10 mile radius if a dog or cat is missing.

"You serve two roles, one as a pet owner and as part of the community. If I lose a pet, you're there to help me; if you lose a pet, I'm there to help you. It's all based upon your proximity," app creator Cory Donovan said.

The app launched in January and is used across the country. It's free, but you must sign up for it to work and it's all about location.

"It's based upon your geography. If you're in California right now, you don't really need to know my pet is missing in Gloucester Township. If you're in Gloucester Township, then there's a good chance you might be able to help me find my pet," Donovan said.

Police say while missing pets don't take up a large amount of their daily calls, missing pets are getting found with the help of social media and this sounds like another successful tool.

"The numbers aren't significant, about 103 in 2015, but for us it's more that we know that's important to people, so any person calling about their lost dog is important to us, because we want to provide that service to the community," Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle said.

Fur Alert is not a replacement for the traditional methods, you should still microchip your dog and call local shelters if your pets go missing.

Online: Furalert.us/