Life-Saving Drone Donated To Help Find Lost Dogs On The Isle Of Wight

A volunteer search team on the Isle of Wight has received a major boost thanks to the donation of a life-saving drone.

Drone SAR For Lost Dogs IOW has been gifted a new DJI M4T drone by local charity Friends of the Animals, helping strengthen efforts to locate and recover missing dogs across the Island.

The volunteer-led group operates in a range of environments, including farmland, woodland and remote countryside, often working in difficult conditions and at all hours.

Using specialist drones equipped with thermal imaging, the team can cover large areas quickly, significantly improving the chances of finding lost or injured animals.

The new drone has been named “Scampy” in memory of the charity’s late mascot.

In keeping with the group’s tradition, all of its drones are named after dogs who did not make it home.

A spokesperson for Drone SAR For Lost Dogs IOW said the donation would make a “real difference” to searches and help bring more dogs home safely, adding that all of the team’s equipment is funded through donations or personal contributions.

Friends of the Animals said it was proud to support the group’s work, praising its dedication to reuniting animals with their owners.

The drone will now be used in ongoing and future searches across the Island.

The team is also appealing for more volunteers, including drone pilots, ground searchers and handlers with trained search dogs.