Ring expands Search Party to all U.S. users

Ring expands AI-powered Search Party to all U.S. users — now even non-camera owners can get help finding lost dogs

Ring's AI-driven Search Party feature, which uses the company's network of cameras to locate lost dogs, is now available to all Ring app users across the U.S. For the first time, people who do not own a Ring camera can post a lost-dog alert and tap into the network's search capabilities.

How Search Party works

Launched in fall 2025, Search Party applies machine learning to scan nearby outdoor cameras for possible dog matches when someone reports a missing pet in the Ring app.

• A neighbor posts a lost-dog report in the Ring app or Neighbors feed.
• Nearby outdoor Ring cameras run an AI check for matching dog appearances and movements.
• If a potential match is found, the camera owner receives an alert.
• The camera owner can view the clip and choose to share video, call the owner, or send a message—without revealing their phone number.

Ring says Search Party has been reuniting more than one dog per day since its initial launch.

Why the expansion matters

Previously, Search Party required a Ring camera be installed for participation. The expansion lets anyone in the U.S. use the Ring app to report a lost dog and mobilize neighbors' cameras. That broader access increases the chance of quick reunions and leverages community-driven search efforts.

Adding non-camera users also strengthens neighborhood networks and lowers the barrier for pet owners who need help fast. For example, someone whose dog slips out of a fenced yard can post in minutes and get alerts from multiple nearby properties.

Partnerships and shelter support

Alongside the expansion, Amazon-owned Ring pledged $1 million to equip animal shelters with Ring camera systems. The company aims to help about 4,000 U.S. shelters join the network, increasing coverage in high-traffic shelter areas and improving chances of reunification.

Ring already partners with nonprofits such as Petco Love and Best Friends Animal Society and said it remains open to additional collaborations to extend the program's reach.

Privacy and community safeguards

Ring designed Search Party with privacy controls: camera owners decide whether to share footage or simply message the reporting owner. The app also masks phone numbers during direct contact to prevent unwanted information exchange.

These measures aim to balance effective searches with user privacy and neighborhood trust.

Related context

Search Party is part of a growing number of AI tools applied to community safety and pet recovery. Similar initiatives include social media pet-alert groups and municipal lost-and-found pet registries. Ring's approach combines home camera networks with computer vision to reduce search time and improve match accuracy.

While this story is primarily about pet reunification, it may also interest readers of gaming news because Ring's AI and real-time alert mechanics share parallels with matchmaking and detection systems used in online games—both rely on fast pattern recognition, distributed sensors (or players), and low-latency notifications.

Author

Sarah Perez has reported for TechCrunch since 2011 and previously wrote for ReadWriteWeb. She has an I.T. background across banking, retail, and software.

Contact: [email protected] or via Signal at sarahperez.01.