Finn, a five-year-old bluetick coonhound-beagle mix, went missing in West Chazy, New York, on the evening of January 30, 2025. With temperatures dropping to single digits, his family contacted North Country Drone Search & Recovery early the next morning. The team specializes in using drones to locate and rescue lost pets, which was crucial in this case due to the harsh weather conditions.
Rescue Begins: Drone Search and Initial Sightings
The drone operator drove an hour to West Chazy and met Finn’s owner, Kimber, to gather details. A neighboring farmer had last seen Finn running into a heavily wooded area before dark. The operator launched Maverick, a thermal imaging drone, and began searching the area.
For two hours, the drone scanned the landscape, detecting multiple deer but no sign of Finn. Then, in a low-lying thicket, a small circular heat signature appeared. Using a high-powered zoom camera, the operator confirmed it was Finn, curled up and sleeping in the brush.
Kimber was guided toward Finn’s location for a ground rescue. However, as she approached, Finn woke up and moved deeper into the woods, making the search more difficult.
Adjusting the Search Strategy
The team lost visual contact as Finn moved further into dense terrain. Kimber followed fresh tracks in the snow, but they became erratic, making it unclear which direction he had gone. After multiple drone battery swaps and nearly an hour of searching, the operator decided to switch to a smaller, more portable drone named Goose.
At the same time, Kimber’s sister arrived with Winston, another family dog who lived with Finn. The team decided to use Winston to encourage Finn to come out of hiding.
Successful Rescue
Within minutes of launching Goose, the drone operator found Finn again. He was awake but not moving far from his current position. Guided by the drone, Kimber and her sister, with Winston on a leash, moved in closer.
When Finn saw Winston, he immediately ran toward him, allowing the family to secure him with a leash. After several hours of searching, Finn was safely recovered.
Key Takeaways for Pet Owners
This rescue highlights the effectiveness of drones in pet searches and the importance of familiar scents in reuniting lost pets with their families. For pet owners looking to improve safety measures, GPS pet trackers provide real-time location updates, while reflective collars and harnesses improve visibility in outdoor areas. In cold weather, insulated pet coats can help protect dogs from low temperatures.