How does PetLynx return lost animals without ID?

One of the most complex problems to solve for a recovery system is a lost animal that hasn't been registered or doesn't have identification. In this case, the animal can't speak and finding the owner has required manual searches of lost reports. PetLynx developed an 'Automatching' system to resolve this problem.

People have very different perceptions of how an animal looks. The PetLynx DataSketch(tm) allows an individual to provide the system with one of seven primary colors for each of twelve specific regions of the cat or dog.  This physical description is then automatically compared with information in the PetLynx Automated National Recovery service for found animals and for admissions to shelters, pounds, clinics and hospitals. That is how a physical description of a lost or found pet can bring a pet home!

PetLynx is often asked why or how the seven primary colors were selected.  The PetLynx Color Palette is constantly refined over the thousands of recoveries PetLynx serves up so that the relationship between colors is known. In the background, because the PetLynx system 'knows' the relationships between related colors like brown and tan, it can bring together matches based on similarities in markings and color pattern.  The PetLynx system then presents matches somewhat like Google.  The most likely matches are at the top of the list with a 100% rating and then continue downwards to those with fewer points for a match.  The PetLynx system is getting better every day but it still struggles with 'calico' or 'brindled' hair coats. In these tough cases PetLynx recommends looking at the overall image and selecting the one or two dominant colors for the most effective results.

For those who lose or find an animal, PetLynx is the most effective solution for recovery and it's provided in Canada free of charge by the IAMS company. Together with IAMS, the PetLynx recovery service has now recovered more than 245,000 cats and dogs in Canada and now contains more than 1.8 million registered animals and pet families.

Many service providers include the PetLynx lifetime recovery subscription at no charge with other services, those with pets can ask their veterinarian, shelter or licensing agency or go to the PetLynx online service where they can register their pet for a small charge.  Of course the Iams company ensures the PetLynx public recovery service is always available at no charge for those who lose or find a pet!

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