Marion County Animal Services selected for pilot project

This is an example of a Network Neighbors sign. [Photo courtesy Marion County Animal Services]

From 2023 to 2024, Marion County saw an increase by about 15 percent of reports of lost dogs. Marion County Animal Services recently became one of 25 shelters nationwide selected to participate in Network Neighbors, a new pilot project led by the Best Friends Animal Society.

According to materials provided by the county, the society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters.

“Network Neighbors, supported by Petco Love Lost, aims to reunite lost pets with their families by getting critical information into the hands of the people who find them—right in their own neighborhoods. Lost or stray pets make up the largest percentage of animals entering shelters, and the Network Neighbors pilot program aims to empower the community to help reunite families,” the news release noted.

Local volunteers are supporting Marion County by distributing bilingual yard signs featuring a QR code that links to Petco Love Lost, a free online tool that helps match found pets with their families, providing a simple way for found pets to easily be returned to their home before they are brought to a shelter.

“Approximately 70% of lost dogs are found within a mile of their home. The signs are going up in areas where Marion County’s last 12 months of data has shown a higher-than-average number of lost dogs,” the release stated.

Marion County Public Relations Manager Stacie Causey stated in an email that in 2023 there were 2,030 reports of lost dogs; in 2024, that number was 2,400. So far this year, there have been 852 reports.

“We had about a 15% increase from 2023 to 2024. This year looks lower right now, but we are getting into the busy part of the year for intakes, the summer. This is when the most strays come into the shelter,” Causey wrote.

She said the county provided data to Best Friends and they created a heat map of lost dogs in our area.

“This heat map will be used by our volunteers for sign placement outings,” she said.

You can find the map at batchgeo.com/map/Marion-Found-Dogs

Those who wish to participate in the Network Neighbors project can sign up at airtable.com/appwa6FmacZs3…/pagAnB0Ld0IUBBkqX/form

Once a volunteer is registered, they can stop by Marion County Animal Services during business hours to pick up free yard signs in English and Spanish to place around the county.

“The signs feature QR codes directing users to Petco Love Lost—a free, user-friendly tool that uses facial recognition technology to get lost pets back home,” the release noted.

Marion County Animal Services encourages local dog owners to always make sure their pet is wearing its ID tag and collar, even indoors. The service offers microchips for $15, with no appointment necessary.

Animal services is located at 5701 SE 66th St., Ocala. The facility is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

To learn more, go to marionfl.org/animal