JOCO Pet Search & Rescue
This Agreement is entered into voluntarily by the undersigned client (“Client”) and JOCO Pet Search & Rescue (“JOCO”) for the purpose of an attempted emergency location and recovery assistance effort involving a missing dog.
By requesting services, the Client acknowledges and agrees to the terms below.
The Client affirms that they are the legal owner of the dog or are otherwise authorized to request recovery assistance on the owner’s behalf.
The Client voluntarily requests emergency recovery services from JOCO and acknowledges the limited scope of services described herein.
JOCO provides limited-scope recovery assistance only. Services may include:
Aerial thermal drone search operations
Visual location attempts
Directional guidance and coordination
Ground-based thermal monocular use (if deployed)
JOCO does not guarantee location, capture, or recovery of any animal.
JOCO does not physically capture, restrain, tranquilize, or transport animals.
This service constitutes an emergency attempt to locate and assist — not a guaranteed recovery.
This service is structured for emergency response situations involving:
A recent escape
A known or suspected last known location
Active or time-sensitive sightings
Effectiveness decreases as time passes and as distance, terrain, weather, traffic exposure, scent dispersion, and animal stress behaviors evolve.
Dogs in a heightened stress state may enter “flight mode,” ignore commands, avoid owners, and travel extended distances.
Standard emergency recovery operations are limited to approximately 90 minutes, equivalent to three (3) drone battery cycles.
Search efforts may conclude earlier if:
Conditions become unsafe
Environmental or airspace restrictions apply
Animal movement makes continued search impractical
Weather, lighting, or interference reduces effectiveness
If confirmed visual or thermal contact is established, JOCO will make maximum reasonable effort to assist and may deploy up to five (5) drone battery cycles, subject to safety, legal, and operational constraints.
Extended operations beyond this structure are at JOCO’s discretion.
A dispatch payment of $125 is required for deployment.
If not received prior to deployment, it is due upon completion.
A completion payment of $100 is due upon completion of the recovery effort, regardless of outcome.
The standard deployment fee of $225 includes:
Emergency response
Up to 90 minutes of search effort
Use of the Standard Recovery Kit (when available)
If the Thermal Recovery Kit is elected, an additional $40 fee is due upon completion.
Fees are earned for deployment, time, equipment utilization, and operational effort — not guaranteed results.
Failure to locate or recover a dog does not negate earned fees.
JOCO utilizes a structured emergency recovery method strongly recommended for best results.
For optimal coordination, JOCO recommends:
One designated co-pilot/driver
One rescue participant
Clear communication and controlled approach
Dogs under stress may flee if approached improperly. Improper approach attempts may reduce recovery probability.
JOCO retains discretion to decline or discontinue any method that presents safety, legal, wildlife, property, or operational risks.
The Client retains full discretion regarding whether to attempt capture once the dog is located.
JOCO provides aerial observation and guidance only.
All physical capture attempts are performed solely by the Client or their designees and are undertaken at their own risk.
JOCO is not responsible for injury to persons or animals resulting from capture attempts.
The Client affirms they have lawful authority to request search operations within the target area or have obtained appropriate permissions.
Drone operations are conducted in compliance with applicable FAA regulations and subject to:
Airspace restrictions
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Local ordinances
Park regulations
Weather and visibility limitations
JOCO may discontinue operations if legal or regulatory constraints arise.
The Client acknowledges that:
Dogs are unpredictable and may flee when sighted
A located dog may cross roadways, enter wooded areas, water, or hazardous zones
Drone presence does not control animal behavior
Thermal imaging may not detect animals under heavy cover, inside structures, or shielded by terrain
JOCO is not responsible for injury, death, loss, or disappearance occurring before, during, or after the recovery attempt.
Search areas may contain wildlife, uneven terrain, barbed wire fencing, bodies of water, construction hazards, or traffic exposure.
The Client assumes all risk associated with entering search areas.
JOCO does not provide wildlife control, animal control services, veterinary services, or law enforcement functions.
In rare circumstances where retrieval of deployed equipment becomes unsafe or legally restricted, JOCO reserves the right to abandon equipment to preserve human safety.
JOCO is not liable for conditions requiring abandonment of equipment.
JOCO provides technical search assistance only and makes no representations regarding:
The health or condition of the dog
Behavioral outcome
Survival
Likelihood of recovery
No guarantees are expressed or implied.
The Client releases, indemnifies, and holds harmless JOCO Pet Search & Rescue, its operators, contractors, affiliates, and representatives from any and all claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising from or related to the recovery attempt, except in cases of proven gross negligence.
This document constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the services described.
The Client acknowledges they have read, understood, and voluntarily agreed to these terms prior to deployment.
This Agreement is incorporated into the checkout process. The Client must actively acknowledge and accept these terms by selecting the required agreement box prior to completing payment. Deployment will not occur without this confirmation.
