Thermal Drone Helps Rescue Injured Dog Missing For A Week

January 8, 2025

A beloved dog named Charlie has been reunited with his owners after going missing for an entire week in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The emotional rescue was made possible by advanced thermal drone technology and the teamwork of compassionate experts.

Dog Gone Pet Recovery

Charlie disappeared on a foggy Monday morning, leaving his owners, Kate and David, devastated. Despite days of searching, the couple couldn’t locate their furry friend. Desperate for help, they reached out to Kat Cavanaugh of Dog Gone Pet Recovery, an animal rescue group specializing in locating missing pets.

Cavanaugh, a certified drone pilot, collaborated with Mike from SmithicAir, a drone flying photography and videography company, to search the area using thermal imaging.

The breakthrough came when Charlie was spotted hiding in tall grass. Injured and frightened, Charlie had gone into “survival mode,” a behavior that made him hesitant to approach anyone, even his beloved family.

In a follow-up video of the family reunion, Cavanaugh detailed the delicate rescue process and emphasized the importance of avoiding the instinct to chase missing pets.

“Kate and David had been waiting for over 45 minutes when this video begins. Charlie was hesitant to approach because dogs in survival mode often don’t recognize their owners right away. This is why we never chase,” she explained.

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and the efforts of Cavanaugh and Mike of SmithicAir, Charlie is now on the road to recovery, safe and sound with the family that never gave up on him.

"I can't wait to finally meet this beautiful boy!" Cavanaugh said.