Mayor Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte | Wikipedia
Mayor Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte | Wikipedia
One of the strays in the shelter is under the care of the Pet Reunification Specialist, who is working to reconnect it with its family.
Melissa Knicely, Public Information Specialist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Animal Care & Control, recounted a personal experience where her three dogs escaped through an open gate. "It was like you could snap and that’s how quickly they were completely out of sight," she said. Despite finding them all, the incident left a lasting impact on her.
This experience inspired Knicely and her team to create a role focused on reuniting lost pets with their families. "It’s great to get animals adopted. It’s even better to get animals home," Knicely stated. She explained that most intakes at their Byrum Drive facility are strays, which consume significant resources. A dedicated position helps expedite reunifications.
Ashley Shrewsbury fills this role as Pet Reunification Specialist. "I like to look at every pet as if they have an owner, and my job is to find those owners," Shrewsbury said. With 15 years of volunteering and working at the shelter, she was prepared for this responsibility.
Shrewsbury uses technology and crowdsourcing to locate pet owners. Microchips provide contact information; when unavailable or outdated, she resorts to social media and other resources. Recently, these methods facilitated a reunion when microchip data failed.
She also employs public safety apps like Ring Public Service Site and Nextdoor, alongside Petco Love Lost's facial recognition technology. "Using the facial recognition technology, I was able to reach out to the owner and got their dog home that same day," Shrewsbury noted.
Shrewsbury emphasized the importance of her work despite its challenges. Both she and Knicely believe this role helps restore families by bringing pets back home.
Animal Care & Control has dedicated resources for lost pets and encourages microchipping among pet owners. Their next event is scheduled for May 10, with more details available on their website.
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