Lost dog
First-hour plan and when to change strategy.
Pet missing? Get help.
Lost pet search with thermal drone
If your dog, cat or other pet is missing – call now. We search for lost pets across Lithuania with thermal imaging and help cover areas that are hard to check on foot.
DRONO.LT provides lost pet (dog and cat) search assistance in Lithuania using drones with thermal cameras. Aerial support complements ground search — it does not replace it. This service is for missing pets; human search-and-rescue support is described on the separate Search and rescue page.
Lost dog or cat — what to do now?
My dog is missing. What should I do now? The first minutes matter. Use this short checklist before calling for drone support.
- Return to the last seen location and quietly check a 100–300 m radius (bushes, under cars, sheds).
- Leave a familiar scent at the door (blanket, toy) plus water/food — do not drive far in the first hour.
- Tell neighbours and passers-by; ask them not to shout or chase the animal.
- Prepare a notice: recent photo, contacts, last place and time; share in local groups.
- Call nearby clinics and shelters (especially if microchipped).
- If the area is large, dense, wooded or it is getting dark — call +370 621 10999 for thermal aerial help.
Fast action improves odds; it does not guarantee a find.
Can a thermal drone find a dog at night?
Can a thermal drone find a dog at night?
A thermal camera measures heat differences, not visible light — at night it is often more useful than a normal camera. It is not X-ray vision: cover, weather and animal size limit what can be seen reliably.
- How it works: it detects temperature contrast (body heat vs cooler surroundings).
- Vegetation: dense brush, canopy or a roof can hide the signal.
- Weather: rain, fog, warm nights or hot days reduce contrast.
- Size: smaller animals (especially cats) are harder to spot.
- Terrain: ditches, buildings and fences create blind spots.
- Confirmation: findings are checked on the ground — the drone narrows the area.
We always combine aerial work with ground search. We do not guarantee a find; we help cover large areas faster and more systematically.
When thermal imaging may not help
Honest limits so expectations stay realistic:
- Animal under thick cover, indoors, or fully blocked — heat may be invisible.
- Hot day or warm night — low thermal contrast.
- Very dense forest canopy — harder flights and interpretation.
- Private land without permission — we follow rules; not every plot is accessible.
- Tiny area already fully checked on foot — a flight may add little.
In those cases we say clearly whether a flight is worth it.
Choose your situation
Each guide targets a different intent:
Lost cat
Hiding behaviour and quiet urban search.
Night search
Safety in the dark and thermal use at night.
Forest search
Terrain, sectoring, when air helps.
City search
Traffic, yards, apartment buildings.
How thermal drones work
Heat imaging, limits, realistic expectations.
First hours
Checklist before deciding on a drone.
Prevention
Reduce escape risk at home.
FAST ACTION MATTERS
When a pet goes missing, time is critical – so we act as quickly and efficiently as possible. The first hours are the most important for a successful recovery: pets often stay within the same radius until fear, hunger or injury drives them further away.
DRONO.LT uses advanced thermal imaging and aerial search to cover large areas quickly in places that are difficult to search on foot — finding the animal is not guaranteed.
Why it's hard to find a lost pet
Searching for a lost pet is one of the most emotionally difficult moments for a family. Even in familiar surroundings, fear, terrain and the time elapsed make recovery harder as the animal may travel far from the last seen location.
Read the guide
Fear and hiding
Frightened animals often hide silently – under cars, in bushes or building cavities – so traditional foot searches miss them.
Difficult terrain
Dense forest, tall grass, ditches and construction sites limit visibility and slow down ground coverage.
Urban hazards
Traffic, noise and unfamiliar people push pets further from home and the last known location.
Search radius expansion
Every hour that passes increases the chance the animal has wandered further – the search area must be planned strategically.
Useful guides when a pet goes missing
Urgent steps depend on the situation. These practical guides help you avoid losing time while deciding whether aerial support is needed.
Dog missing – what to do?
Action plan for the first hours: where to search, how to alert neighbours and when to change strategy.
Cat missing – how to search?
Cats often hide near home. Where to check, how to search quietly and what to avoid.
Dog ran away at night – what to do?
Night search: safety in the dark, light, sound and when to call thermal aerial support.
How DRONO.LT can help
We combine thermal imaging, an experienced operator and clear coordination between air and ground. In a short time we cover large areas and provide precise coordinates for follow-up search.
Advanced drone technology
We use high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging and real-time GPS marking. This lets us scan areas efficiently where a foot search would take hours.
Expert-led operations
Before flight we assess terrain, pet behaviour and environmental risks. We tailor the search strategy to each case – not from a template.
Ground and air coordination
We work with the family and volunteers: the drone scans from above while you receive clear directions on the ground based on live video and coordinates.
How our process works
1
Call and pet details
Owners provide key information: breed, last location, behaviour.
2
Search strategy
Based on terrain, pet habits and the last known location.
3
Aerial search
Drones with thermal imaging and cameras scan the area.
4
Live monitoring and coordination
We analyse live video and direct the ground search.
5
Coordination after a useful signal
If a useful heat signal appears, we coordinate ground verification and next safe steps — finding the animal is not guaranteed.
How much does a pet search by drone cost?
Search from €140 + €0.30/km outside the Vilnius region. Standard search – €140 for up to 3 hours of flight and coordination. Every search starts with a personal consultation – we learn about your pet, its habits and last known location.
You can join the search or let us carry it out on your behalf – whichever suits you. Wider regions incur mileage (€0.30/km); longer searches are priced individually.
What affects the price?
Every search is different. We assess the situation before confirming the price – the first step is always a short phone or form consultation.
- Search area size and terrain
- Distance and travel time (mileage surcharge outside Vilnius region)
- Time of day and weather
- Expected search duration (standard package – up to 3 hours)
- Complexity and ground coordination needs
We quote after assessing your situation – we do not copy competitor price lists.
Standard search suits most cases. The service includes:
- Brief consultation about the pet and situation
- Up to 3 hours of search time
- Detailed debrief – where we searched and what we found
This package is designed to help quickly and precisely when every minute counts.
If the search location is outside the Vilnius region, this package includes everything from the standard search plus a travel fee:
- Consultation and preparation
- Up to 3 hours of search time
- Detailed debrief after the search
- Travel: €0.30/km outside the region
We can arrive quickly in your region and provide the same thorough, caring service.
Some searches require more time due to terrain, distance or other factors. Extended search includes:
- Consultation to build the most effective plan
- Additional search time beyond 3 hrs (tailored to your situation)
- Full debrief at every step
We agree price and schedule based on expected search duration and distance so the service is as efficient as possible.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you search for a lost dog?
- Yes. We most often help search for lost dogs – especially when the area is large, terrain is dense or several hours have passed since the last sighting.
- Can you search for a lost cat?
- Yes. Cats often hide near home, but a drone helps systematically cover larger plots, gardens or forest edges when foot search cannot check the whole area.
- Does thermal imaging work at night?
- Thermal cameras measure heat, not visible light – they can be useful in the dark. However, humidity, warm nights and obstacles still affect results. It is a tool, not a guarantee.
- How long does a search take?
- The standard package includes up to 3 hours of search time. Longer searches due to terrain or distance – duration and price agreed individually.
- How much does a pet search by drone cost?
- Standard search – €140 (up to 3 hrs). Outside Vilnius region – €140 + €0.30/km. Longer or more complex searches – price by agreement after consultation.
- What information do you need?
- Last seen location, time, pet photo, description (colour, size, collar), possible direction of movement and your phone number. GPS coordinates help but are not required.
- Can you come to another city in Lithuania?
- Yes – we serve all of Lithuania. Outside the Vilnius region a mileage surcharge applies (€0.30/km). Arrival time is agreed individually.
- Can a drone find an animal in a forest?
- At forest edges thermal imaging may detect temperature contrast if the animal is not fully covered. Dense vegetation and terrain make interpretation harder – every finding is verified on the ground.
- When is thermal imaging less effective?
- Hot days, warm nights, dense brush, buildings or an animal under cover reduce detection chances. We plan ground search alongside aerial search in such cases.
- How quickly can you start a search?
- In the Vilnius region we usually respond within 1–2 hours in urgent cases. The sooner you contact us, the better the chance of finding your pet near the last seen location.
- What should I do immediately when my dog goes missing?
- Return to the last seen spot, quietly check nearby cover, leave scent and water, alert neighbours, clinics and shelters. If the area is large or dark — call for thermal help.
- Is it worth searching for a dog at night?
- Yes if it is safe. Many animals move or hide nearby at night. Watch traffic, use light carefully, avoid noisy crowds. Thermal can help, but cover and weather still limit results.
- Can a thermal drone see an animal in the forest?
- Sometimes — especially at forest edges or in thinner woodland. Dense canopy reduces odds. Every signal is checked on the ground; people on foot remain essential.
- Can a drone find a cat?
- It can help on larger plots. Cats often hide low and near home — foot search stays primary. A drone helps when you need a fast overview of a bigger area.
- Do I need to know the last known location?
- Strongly preferred. Without it, choosing a start point and flight zone is harder. If unsure, give the most likely place and time.
- Can you search on private property?
- We plan flights under applicable rules and safety. Private land without consent limits what we can do. We discuss this by phone before travelling.
- When does thermal imaging not help?
- When the animal is covered, contrast is poor, the area is not flyable, or the plot is already fully checked on foot. We say clearly if a flight is not worthwhile.
Find out how we can help with your search
Trusted resources in Lithuania
We recommend these additional ways to help find a lost pet.
- Pet search centre
Free tools: search plan, poster with QR, map and drone assessment.
- Lost pet search guides
Practical guides: what to do if a dog or cat is missing, and when a drone can help.
- Lost pet poster generator
Free tool for social media posts and printing.
- Drone equipment
DJI Matrice 4T with thermal camera – specs and purpose.
- About the operator
EASA-certified drone operator – experience and certificates.
- Lithuanian animal welfare organisations
Notify shelters and rescue centres about the missing pet.
- Veterinary clinics
Alert nearby clinics – found animals are often brought there.
- Community Facebook groups
Share notices in local "Lost dog" and "Lost cat" groups.