Every year, millions of pets go missing in North America. Some slip through an open gate, others run off during a storm or escape while traveling. For pet owners, the panic sets in immediately. For shelters, a lost pet often arrives scared, untagged, and unknown—one of hundreds, if not thousands, needing care.

What happens next can make all the difference.

Traditionally, reuniting pets with their families has relied on a mix of outdated systems, local records, and hope. But with new technology, connected systems, and real-time alert networks, the process is being transformed.

At the center of this revolution are two powerful tools: NPRS—the National Pet Registry Search Tool, and HomeSafe^®—DocuPet’s always-on lost pet recovery network. Together, they are redefining pet reunification for pet owners, animal shelters, and local governments alike.

The Current Crisis in Lost Pet Reunification

While the love for pets has grown, the infrastructure to protect and reunite them has lagged behind.

Only 15-20% of lost dogs and less than 4% of cats in shelters are ever reunited with their owners, according to national shelter statistics. This is not due to lack of care—but a lack of connection. Fragmented systems, limited records, and jurisdictional silos make it hard to track, identify, and return pets efficiently.

For shelters, this means overcrowded kennels, unnecessary intake costs, and increased workload on staff. For pet owners, it means sleepless nights, frantic social media posts, and a deep sense of helplessness.

But this is changing. And it’s changing fast.

HomeSafe^®: A 24/7 Lost Pet Recovery Network

DocuPet’s HomeSafe^®service is giving pet owners a proactive line of defense the moment their pet goes missing.

Every pet registered with DocuPet receives a free tag featuring a unique ID, tied to their digital pet profile. If that pet goes missing, HomeSafe^® provides 24/7 live support to help them get home.

Here’s how it works:

• When a pet owner completes a Lost Pet Report, HomeSafe^® launches into action.
• Pet alerts are sent to local communities and shelters. Anyone in the community can help find the lost pet.
• If the pet is found by a community member, the finder enters the tag ID at docupet.com or calls DocuPet directly.
• If a shelter takes in the lost pet, staff can use the National Pet Record Search tool to identify the pet in the National Animal Shelter Network. Shelter teams can use physical traits, the tag ID, and even the colors of the pet to help find a match.
• When DocuPet receives word of the found pet, the pet owner is notified via email, and/or phone call.
• And just like that—a swift reunion is made! A found pet report is filed and a family is brought back together.

This service runs 24/7, 365 days a year—offering peace of mind that help is always available.

The impact? Thousands of successful reunifications annually, many within hours of a report. It’s not just reactive; it’s preventative—minimizing shelter intakes and maximizing family joy.

The Power of NPRS: National Pet Record Search Tool

But HomeSafe^® is only part of the puzzle. That’s why DocuPet is also revolutionizing lost pet reunification for shelters.

At the heart of DocuPet’s platform is National Animal Shelter Network—a database that spans across jurisdictions and helps provide fast, accurate pet identification using the National Pet Record Search tool (NPRS). This innovative technology is the first interconnected database available to shelters across the country, providing a powerful tool to quickly reunite lost pets.

The National Pet Record Search tool is empowering shelters to do more than give lost pets a home—it’s providing a clear path to reunite lost pets faster than ever. Because of these capabilities, the network is growing at a rapid pace. This is a real solution for pet reunification.

The National Pet Record Search tool is empowering shelters to do more than give lost pets a home—it’s providing a clear path to reunite lost pets faster than ever. Because of these capabilities, the network is growing at a rapid pace. This is a real solution for pet reunification.

Here’s how it works:

• Each licensed pet is linked to a digital profile that includes owner contact info, health records, photos, and any relevant documentation.
• When a pet is found and brought into a shelter, staff can run a quick search using tag numbers, microchip data, or descriptive filters.
• Shelters can view pets in any area to make quick identifications and owner contact.

This level of connectivity means no more dead ends, no more redundant paperwork, and far more successful reunifications.

HomeSafe^®: A 24/7 Lost Pet Recovery Network

While NPRS empowers shelters, HomeSafe^® empowers pet owners—creating a proactive line of defense the moment a pet goes missing.

Every pet registered with DocuPet receives a free tag featuring a unique ID, tied to their digital pet profile. If that pet goes missing, HomeSafe^® provides 24/7 live support to help them get home.

Here’s how it works:

• A finder reports the pet by entering the ID at docupet.com or contacting Customer Care.
• HomeSafe^® sends real-time alerts to the pet owner via text, email, and phone.
• The finder receives contact instructions or can request help from DocuPet’s reunification team.
• In many cases, the pet is home before they ever reach a shelter.

This service runs 24/7, 365 days a year—offering peace of mind that help is always available.

The impact? Thousands of successful reunifications annually, many within hours of a report. It’s not just reactive; it’s preventative—minimizing shelter intakes and maximizing family joy.

Real-Time Collaboration Between Pet Owners and Shelters

What sets NPRS and HomeSafe^® apart isn’t just the technology—it’s the ecosystem of collaboration they enable.

When both shelters and pet owners are connected through DocuPet, reunification becomes a shared, streamlined process. A shelter receives a pet with a DocuPet tag? They access NASN and use the record search tool, and immediately find the owner. A pet goes missing? The owner activates HomeSafe^®, and the shelter can search the missing pet if it shows up in their shelter.

No more waiting for microchip scans. No more manual cross-checking of databases. No more relying solely on local resources.

Instead, every participant in the pet safety cycle—pet owners, shelters, animal control, and governments—operates from a single source of truth. That national connectivity is what turns a lost pet crisis into a coordinated recovery.

Advanced Search Capabilities That Save Lives

The beauty of NPRS lies in its flexibility and intelligence. Shelters don’t just search by ID—they can use advanced filters to locate a match when a tag or chip isn’t available. This includes:

• Breed and physical description
• Location
• Medical details or special markings
• Microchip numbers

This is particularly crucial in situations where pets arrive at shelters injured, dirty, or stressed—making traditional identification methods less effective.

And as the database grows, so does its accuracy and speed—creating a self-improving network that learns and adapts to serve communities better every day.

What This Means for Shelters

For animal shelters, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Overcrowding,increased workload on staff and financial strain are daily realities. Every pet reunited before—or shortly after—intake represents relief, savings, and a better outcome for everyone involved.

Here’s what DocuPet’s tools offer shelters:

• Fewer long-term holds due to faster reunification
• Reduced intake costs and space management challenges
• Higher return-to-owner rates, boosting community trust
• Access to cross-jurisdictional data, enabling smarter operations
• Automated reunification workflows, saving time and labor

And because DocuPet’s platform is designed for scale, it works for shelters of all sizes—from small rural agencies to large urban centers.

What This Means for Pet Owners

For pet owners, losing a pet is an emotional trauma. It’s also a logistical nightmare—calling shelters, posting to lost pet groups, and hoping someone recognizes their furry family member.DocuPet flips the narrative. With HomeSafe^®, the moment a pet is reported found, the system goes to work, sending alerts, guiding the finder, and even enabling shelters to reach out proactively.

Instead of relying on luck, pet owners get a clear process, real-time communication, and support that doesn’t sleep.

Even better? Registration comes with:

• Custom tags
• Medical and safety profile tools
• A national safety net wherever your pet travels
• Free access to HomeSafe^®

It’s not just about recovery—it’s about confidence.

What This Means for Governments

For municipal and regional governments, these tools translate to:

• Higher licensing compliance through meaningful benefits
• Lower shelter costs by reducing unnecessary intakes
• Improved data for decision-making and resource planning
• Stronger community engagement and satisfaction
• Scalable infrastructure that grows with your jurisdiction

With DocuPet, governments can implement a single, unified system that handles pet registration, licensing, and reunification—with full transparency, reporting, and support. This is modern pet management, aligned with the demands of today’s digital, mobile, pet-loving world.

Revolutionizing Reunification: A National Vision

The combination of NPRS and HomeSafe^® isn’t just an upgrade to existing systems—it’s a complete rethink of how lost pets are handled.

By uniting pet owners, shelters, and governments in a single national registry, DocuPet is creating the most effective, trusted, and scalable reunification network in North America.

That vision includes:

• 24/7 protection and support
• Faster, smarter searches across jurisdictions
• Less strain on shelters and field services
• More pets going home safely, quickly, and happily

This is what the future of pet reunification looks like—and it’s already happening.

From Lost to Found, Redefined

Losing a pet is heartbreaking. But what if, instead of panic, there was a plan? Instead of delay, there was instant action? Instead of isolated systems, there was one national network for everyone to share?

That’s what DocuPet, NPRS, and HomeSafe^® are delivering—not just tools, but transformation.
If you’re a shelter looking to improve your reunification rates, a government seeking scalable solutions, or a pet owner who wants the best possible protection for your companion, the answer is clear:

From lost to found, there’s no better path than DocuPet.

Ready to transform how your community reunites lost pets?

Learn more about bringing NPRS and HomeSafe^® to your region. Let’s keep more pets safe, and get more pets home—together.

  

Bring HomeSafe^® to Your Community