AutoMatch Methodology Explained

After placing a lost cat report on PetLynx, one confused cat owner emailed to ask why she was getting potential 'matches' for cats that were tabby or black and white... when the photo of her cat clearly showed it was a Siamese.

Here is why:
Potential matches that may appear to be 'mistakes' are provided because the PetLynx AutoMatch™ system takes into account the fact that not all members of the public describe a lost/found animal the same way.

We don't want to miss a chance at getting a lost pet HomeSafe™ simply because the 'finder' can't tell a tabby from a Siamese! So, all potential matches are provided, taking into account a variety of factors, such as sex, coat length, etc.

AutoMatch™ is a service exclusive to the PetLynx system that can search for matches for a pet using either an identifier such as a tattoo, microchip or PetLynx visual tag, and/or based on only a physical description of the animal using a PetLynx technology called DataSketch™. The AutoMatch™ system then serves up all potential matches and notifies both parties involved. The parties can then retrieve the matches and physically follow up to see if it is the correct pet.

AutoMatch™ is unique because:

1. The system makes matches based on identifiers such as microchip and tattoos. Our system is not proprietary to any microchip manufacturer, so all microchip types are accepted.
2. AutoMatch can also make matches on a pet based on only a physical description, using our unique DataSketch™ technology.
3. Unlike other systems, AutoMatch™ is an automatic system so there is no need to manually search through reports.
4. AutoMatch™ sends out possible matches to other animals that are similar to your description -- no other pet lost and found search engine does this!

The pet family is ultimately responsible for managing their information, however, the system allows for the finder to engage themselves as well if they choose to.

Tabby or Not Tabby?

Confusion over cat colours and coat patterns

Do you know what colour your cat is? You may think you do.... but if it's a tabby, is it a speckled, mackerel or striped tabby?

What if you find a lost cat. Are you sure you would know how to describe it?

There is a wide array of coat patterns in cats and you'd be surprised at how many cat owners don't know a tabby from a tortoiseshell! Sadly, this confusion over coat patterns and colours may lead to some lost cats never being returned to their rightful owners!

Thankfully, Petlynx's DataSketch™ takes the guess work out of identifying lost and found pets. It is especially helpful in describing cats, where there is often much confusion over colours and coat patterns.

Since two people will likely not describe an animal the same way DataSketch™ technology reduces the number of possible descriptors and colors for a pet to a defined number. By reducing the descriptors, we have increased the possibility that people will describe the animal in a similar fashion. An animal's DataSketch™ is compared to other sketches and 'scored' during the AutoMatch™ process. Those matches with the highest scores are then presented to both parties as the most likely matches.

Although DataSketch™ is a real help, here are some things you should know about cats:

Your Average House Cat
Cats of unknown parentage are referred to ‘domestic short-, medium- or long-hairs.’ This is an all-encompassing term used to describe your average house cat, not a purebred designation. However, you should know that the American Shorthair, American Wirehair, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, and Oriental Short- and Longhairs are all distinct and well-established breeds.

A Purebred Tabby? There's No Such thing!
Some people mistakenly refer to their cats as a purebred tabbies. But that’s like saying you have a purebred black dog! Tabby is a coat pattern, not a breed, and therefore tabbies can be found in almost all breeds of cats. Even Siamese cats can have tabby markings. These cats are exceptionally beautiful and are described as having lynx- or tabby-points rather than the usual solid-colored markings on the legs, tail, ears and muzzle.

Tortoiseshells and Torbis
‘Torti’ or ‘Tortoiseshell’ is a color, not a breed. These cats have black coats with patches of cream and red. A calico is a torti with white. A tortoiseshell with tabby patches is called a ‘torbi.’ These cats are almost always female. Male tortis or calicos are very rare and are usually born sterile.

Cat Organizations:
The Canadian Cat Association, The Cat Fanciers Association of Canada, The International Cat Association, The American Cat Fanciers Association: