The Petlynx AutoMatch™ system is different than other lost and found pet systems in several important ways:
AutoMatch™ can makes matches on a pet based on only a physical description, using our unique DataSketch™ technology ... so there is less room for error and a better chance of making a match.
Unlike other systems, AutoMatch™ is operates automatically 24/7 so there is no need to manually search through reports
Our system also makes matches based on identifiers such as microchip and tattoos .... even if only a portion of the tattoo or microchip number is decipherable.
Our system is not proprietary to any microchip manufacturer, so all microchip types are accepted.
AutoMatch™ sends out possible matches to other animals that are similar to yours in description -- no other lost and found pet search engine does this!
Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor
Is this cat black and white ... or white and black?
Considering that any two people will likely not describe an animal the same way, many companion animals without current, traceable identification are never reunited with their guardians because animal shelters are not able to make a match.
DataSketch™ reduces the number of possible descriptors and colors for a pet to a defined number. By reducing the descriptors we have increased the possibility that people will describe the animal in a similar fashion. By filling in the information, users actually 'paint a picture' of a lost or found pet ... rather than draw conclusions about its breed, coat pattern and colour.
An animal's DataSketch™ is compared to other sketches and 'scored' during the AutoMatch™ process. Those matches with the highest scores are then presented to both parties as the most likely matches.
The PetLynx DataSketch™ system ... it's web-based technology that works for pets, people and communities!
Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor
The simple answer is ... asking the general public to identify a specific breed doesn't work very well!
Many people who find lost pets don’t always know its breed or note the physical descriptions of the animal in a way that could result in a match. That is why PetLynx Corporation took a step away from the traditional industry practice and created the AutoMatch™ system which uses DataSketch™ animal descriptions.
AutoMatch™ system is automatic, effortless and more accurate
Dianne Martyn, Kennel Manager, of Kennel Inn Animal Control in Aurora, Ontario, says that it has only been about ten months since they joined the PetLynx network and they have already realized significant savings… of time, financial and human resources, and lives!
“Using PetLynx™ has enabled us to eliminate the need for time-consuming manual record keeping, tracking and matching of lost and found reports,” explains Martyn.“With our previous manual system we relied on people telling us what breed of dog (or cat) they had found and this was not always accurate.Since PetLynx matches based on the physical description of the dog and the matching is done automatically, the AutoMatch™ feature ensures better accuracy, wider distribution and a broader range of potential matches.”
Martyn says that Kennel Inn staff and volunteers like the fact that the system is “pro-active”, with their voicemail system directing both people who have lost and those who have found pets to go to the PetLynx™ website to register information and post a photograph.
“People who have lost or found pets are impressed with services when phone contact is made and we are able to instantly find their report and mention the animal by name,” adds Martyn. “This is a level of personalized service that simply could not be previously achieved. Also, the timing, in terms of dogs and cats being return to owner more quickly, has improved dramatically. In many instances, matches are made in the community and we never have to admit the animal into the shelter.”
“Using PetLynx has definitely been a time-saver,” concludes Martyn. “Although using PetLynx™ added some new tasks, the previously labour-intensive and arduous task of manually searching for matches is now done for us automatically, accurately and effortlessly. It is a fabulous service."
What is the difference between a microchip database and the PetLynx automated recovery system?
There is no doubt that the introduction of the pet identification microchip was (and still is) a phenomenal development for the companion animal industry. It is remarkable how something as small as a grain of rice has had such a significant impact on our ability to return lost companion animals to their owners!
That said, the microchip has its limitations. Microchip databases contain basic descriptions and contact information only, and this information is not easily managed by the animal guardian or accessible to someone who has found a lost pet. To discover if a lost pet has a microchip (or not) the person who finds it need to have access to a microchip scanner... and that's not always possible.
PetLynx's automated recovery system is different in that it works with or without identification. Matches are made according to a very basic physical description. Once this information is input into the system, AutoMatchTM actively searches lost and found reports from your community and surrounding Authorized Service Centers to find matches.
An automated recovery system is also more user friendly and effective in that it allows users to serve themselves over the Internet, rather than calling in to facilities and organizations and it provides matches automatically, reducing the need for manual searches.
Does PetLynx use physical descriptions to match lost and found pets?
One of the most frustrating aspects of trying to match "found" animals with "lost" animals is discrepancies in how different people may describe the same animal.
It's difficult enough for a lay person to try to identify purebred dogs... but now we have dozens of "designer dogs," too!
So, instead of playing "guess the breed", PetLynx's unique DataSketch™application helps the user "draw" a picture of the dog (or cat) by simply identifying colours and identifying marks. It does not take other physical characteristics into consideration.
DataSketch™ narrows down the description choice to seven main colours and acknowledges different situations, such as a brown dog is similar to a tan dog.
Once the information has been input to DataSketch™, the PetLynxAutoMatch™ system works its magic. Rather than scanning for similar breed listings -- which may be incorrect -- it compares coat colour. It then creates a list of the most likely matches, with a 100% rating, followed by less relevant matches.While this system works great, it is imperative that people registering lost animals understand that it is their responsibility to follow up on AutoMatch™ notifications to determine if a match is their pet or not.
Two people will likely not describe an animal the same way. PetLynx created the DataSketch™ technology to help with this, as it reduces the number of possible descriptors and colors for a pet to a defined number. By reducing the descriptors we have increased the possibility that people will describe the animal in a similar fashion. An animal's DataSketch™ is compared to other sketches and 'scored' during the AutoMatch™ process. Those matches with the highest scores are then presented to both parties as the most likely matches.
AutoMatch™ is a service exclusive to the PetLynx system that can search for matches for a pet using either an identifier such as a tattoo, microchip or PetLynx visual tag, and/or based on only a physical description of the animal using a PetLynx technology called DataSketch™. The AutoMatch™ system then serves up potential matches and notifies both parties involved. The parties can then retrieve the matches and physically follow up to see if it is the correct pet.
The onus of recovery of the pet is ultimately on the pet family, however the system allows for the finder to engage themselves as well if they choose to.
As pet industry leaders, you all have more in common than your love of animals; you need more time in the day---twenty-four hours just doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done. Using AnimalTRACS™ and other PetLynx offerings will help you decrease the time spent on lost and found episodes, and will also help reduce both admission and adoption times if you encourage the public to do the work. By getting your clients to pre-load themselves in the system, you've decreased the time it takes to complete an adoption by half. Likewise, if you require the public to complete a found report prior to the intake of a new animal, you can transfer those found reports and decrease the amount of time your intake procedure requires. Not only are these process changes saving time but they are also encouraging your clients to use PetLynx thereby ensuring that the next time they experience a lost or found episode for an animal, they will go directly to PetLynx first. We all know we can't add hours to the day but we can use others to help lighten the workload.
The simple answer is breed descriptions don't work very well. Pet owners and the general public who find most pets don’t always describe a breed or the physical descriptions of an animal in a way that could result in a match. That is why PetLynx took a step away from the traditional industry practice and created the AutoMatch™ system with its DataSketch™ animal descriptions. This system is designed to be available 24-7, lower in cost, and easy for the general public to use - just like a paint-by-number picture. PetLynx also eliminates the colour confusion by limiting the colour palette to seven primary colours. By forcing all users into the same set of criteria, PetLynx eliminates descriptions that would achieve inaccurate results. By using a web search engine like AutoMatch™ that orders matches by matching percentage, PetLynx increases the chances of making a match and reuniting pets with their familiesBecause PetLynx makes it so easy to enter a found report, more animals are returned directly home without a side trip to the pound or shelter. For this reason, communities that have an Automated Recovery System ‘Powered by PetLynx’ reunite more pets with their families, reduce the stress on pet owners, reduce or eliminate the need for expensive call centres, and speed up the recovery process. This is good for people and municipalities, and it’s wonderful protection for pets.
Posts
