Latest news with #PetcoLove
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dakin Humane Society of Springfield awarded grant for adoption and lifesaving efforts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Dakin Humane Society of Springfield received a $10,000 grant from Petco Love in contribution to their adoption and lifesaving efforts for animals. The nonprofit organization, Petco Love was founded in 1999 and has invested nearly $410 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts with the partnership of more than 4,000 organizations, like Dakin, with nearly 7 million pets adopted and counting. Springfield's 2025 LEGO convention coming to MassMutual Center 'Our investment in Dakin Humane Society is part of more than $12M in investments recently announced by Petco Love to power local organizations across the country as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,' said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. 'Our local investments are only part of our strategy to empower animal lovers to drive lifesaving change right alongside us. We launched Petco Love Lost, a free national lost and found database that uses photo-matching technology to simplify the search for lost pets.' 'We are deeply grateful for the generous support of Petco Love,' said Meg Talbert, executive director of Dakin Humane Society. 'This life-saving investment will enable us to provide critical care—such as food and medical support—to the pets in our adoption center, including pets who have come to us from local homes as well as transfers from other parts of the country that are experiencing overcrowding. Petco Love's partnership is instrumental in helping us remain a trusted resource for pet families in need.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
17-04-2025
- CBS News
How AI is using facial recognition to help bring lost pets home
A new artificial intelligence-based technology is helping thousands of pet owners reunite with their lost animals, addressing a persistent problem that affects millions of American families each year. The national database called Love Lost, operated by the nonprofit Petco Love, has already helped reconnect 100,000 owners with their lost pets since its launch in 2021. "In the sheltering system, it's about 20 percent of lost pets will be reunited, which is simply not enough," said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. Michael Bown experienced this firsthand when his pitbull-mix, Millie, escaped during a walk in lower Manhattan after slipping out of her collar. "Because she's a rescue dog, she's very anxious," Bown said. "The only thing I was thinking is, she's trying to find me, and she doesn't know where I am." While Bown rushed home to search, his mother uploaded Millie's photo to the Love Lost database. Within 14 hours, they received a call that changed everything. Millie had run 10 miles north to Harlem, where she was struck by a car before being transported an additional 15 miles to a veterinary hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. The hospital had also uploaded Millie's picture to the same free platform, which is run by donations. The technology works by identifying unique features of each animal — from eye shape and whisker length to unusual markings and tail curvature. The AI system collects up to 512 data points per pet, using machine learning to search for matching animals. A key advantage of the system is its ability to recognize pets even when their appearance changes dramatically after getting lost. The database also pulls lost pet reports from social media posts to increase the odds of a successful match. "People used to put flyers on a telephone pole. Now we have that one virtual telephone pole in the system," Kogut said. "Everyone put the flyers there and we're going to send these pets home!" More than 3,000 animal shelters nationwide now participate in the program, which is funded entirely by donations. The nonprofit advises pet owners to be cautious of potential scams when using the service. They recommend being wary of anyone requesting money to return a lost pet and suggest limiting communications to the site's secure platform. Two months after her ordeal and while recovering from a broken leg, Millie is back with Bown and adjusting well to life at home. "She likes to say 'hi' to every single dog that we see on the walk, regardless of if they want to say 'hi' to her," Bown said. "But she's doing really well."
Chicago Tribune
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: Anderson Humane wins $25,000 Petco Love Stories award; ECC musical ‘Next to Normal' tackles mental health issues
Anderson Humane wins $25,000 Petco Love Stories award South Elgin-based Anderson Humane was recently selected as one of 25 national winners in the Petco Love Stories campaign. A heartfelt story submitted by local adopter was the award-winning entry, according to a news release. Alanna shared how her adopted dog, Dahlia, helped her manage severe anxiety and regain independence after battling Functional Neurological Disorder. Anderson received a $25,000 check during a presentation held Feb. 10 at the Petco store in Bloomingdale. Alanna received a pair of Bob's footwear and a Petco shopping spree, the release said. For more information on Anderson Humane, go to For more information about the nonprofit Petco Love, go to ECC musical 'Next to Normal' tackles mental health issues The Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical 'Next to Normal' will premiere Friday, Feb. 21, at Elgin Community College's SecondSpace Theatre in Building H on the school's Spartan Drive Campus in Elgin. The production aims to both entertain and raise awareness about mental health challenges by taking an 'unflinching look' at the various perspectives of a suburban family coping with the mother's bipolar disorder, a news release said. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. The show runs from Friday through Sunday, March 2. The March 1 production will include American Sign Language interpretation, the release said. ECC Arts Center is partnering with the ECC Wellness Team, Ecker Center for Behavior Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to provide emotional and counseling support to attendees. The production contains adult language and addresses sensitive topics, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, grief, a suicide attempt, loss of a child and the use of psychiatric medication, the release said. Audience members should also be aware that the performance includes flashing lights, strobe effects and haze. Purchase tickets by going online at or by calling the ECC Arts Center Box Office at 847-622-0300. West Dundee seeking proposals for two downtown buildings West Dundee is seeking proposals for the reuse of two downtown buildings on Main Street. The village bought the adjacent properties — previously occupied by Riverside Upholstery and Bob's Trading Post — from Robert Aniballi for $470,000 in March 2024, Village President Chris Nelson said. Aniballi operated Bob's Trading Post. West Dundee's objective for the redevelopment is to improve the buildings' appearance, increase property value and provide uses that draw people downtown and generate revenue, according to the village website.
