The Virginian-Pilot: Web site started by local man to recover lost pets goes national
Filed under: Pets 911 - May 11, 2007
By JANIE BRYANT, The Virginian-Pilot
May 11, 2007
PORTSMOUTH - Jimmy Frost doesn’t know how many pets have been reunited with their owners since he helped launch a lost-and-found Web site for Hampton Roads residents more than a year ago.
But when Frost volunteered to help the Portsmouth Humane Society with the project, he decided it would be a success if only one lost pet were recovered.
Frost has heard of at least half a dozen happy endings due to www.hrlostpets.org.
Now the volunteer Webmaster, a Virginia Beach truck driver who has created Web sites for animal rescues and shelters all over the country, is helping the humane society take the online service to a new level.
The Hampton Roads Web site recently linked to the national Pets911.com. The union means a more comprehensive database system for lost and rescued pets.
“We wanted to give it a little more horse power,” he said.
Once posted, pets will be kept on the database for at least three months. They will be searchable by traits such as color and breed. Owners will be able to post a photograph of their missing pet with other useful details.
Michael Monroe, director for operations for the Portsmouth Humane Society, said the site is helpful to shelter workers, too. Last year, more than 3,000 animals were brought to the shelter, he said.
The linking of the sites will also bring a pilot “pet alert” program to the region, said Frost. The alert will notify owners by e-mail or text message when an animal matching the description of their lost loved one is found, he said.
“This is not going to take the place of good detective work for a pet owner trying to find their animal,” said Frost.
“But we’re trying to give every alternative and every option that technology can afford us.”
For more information, call Frost at (757) 343-6247.
Reach Janie Bryant at (757) 446-2453 or janie.bryant@pilotonline.com.