When a lost dog is submitted the to the group, the admin team work with the owner to understand the circumstances in which the dog went missing. They provide initial advice, including scenting advice, emergency numbers and local contacts that need to be aware.

Sussex SAR for Lost Dogs CIC rely on volunteers, who give up their time to assist in searches. The admin team reference the our volunteer map to identify drone pilots, ground searchers, trapping and search dog teams in the area of the lost dog. The volunteers are then tagged into the owners post on the main group page.

They then make contact with the admin team, to discuss updates and plan a ground search of the area, and if drone pilots are required we then deploy them.

Our Drone pilots use apps such as NATS (National Air Traffic Services) to survey the flight area, contact ATC if needed, to be approved to fly in restricted areas. Ensuring that the Drone Code is followed at all times.

Our drone pilots go above and beyond, if they are unable to fly due to airspace restrictions or weather, they will assist in a ground search.

In addition to the drone pilots, we also rely on teams of volunteer ground searchers. As well as being out on the ground searching, they also assist with a variety of search and rescue aspects, from social media sharing, putting up posters to using their local knowledge to assist owners and inform relevant people.

We believe in team work and also work with other teams, such as specialist trapping teams, who all work together with the dogs best interests at the heart of what we do.