AI Helps Reunite Lost Pets with Their Owners in Russia
A neural network developed in Nizhny Novgorod scans photos of missing cats and dogs, matching them with shelter databases and online listings.
In Russia, artificial intelligence is being used to help find missing pets. A new AI-powered service created in the Nizhny Novgorod region has already proven so effective that it won the national PROF-IT Award in the category “Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration.”
Launched in early 2025, the system is currently used by 10 animal shelters across Nizhny Novgorod. When someone uploads a photo of a found pet, the neural network compares it with a database of missing animal reports. If there’s a match, the owner receives an instant notification — dramatically speeding up the process of bringing pets home.
Seamless Integration with City Services
For convenience, the service is built directly into the Nizhny Novgorod Resident Card app, which helps citizens access local government services. Residents can post notices about lost or found animals, and the AI automatically scans new entries for visual similarities.
By combining computer vision with public service infrastructure, the project demonstrates how artificial intelligence can solve real-world problems — even the deeply personal one of losing a pet.
