There are animal detectives in New York: and this is not Ace Ventura, but very serious work

All professions are needed, all professions are important. Did you know there are animal detectives? According to New York Post, a girl from Manhattan hired such a detective and raised about $18000 to find her four-legged friend.

From cute cats to loyal dogs, detectives have unique skills and instincts that help them solve missing persons' mysteries. Their work is a real art, where every track, every bark and every “meow” becomes the key to returning home.

Shira Meged of Manhattan received a shocking call on November 25 that her mini Golden Doodle, Rosie, was lost in Central Park. The girl was on a cruise to the Caribbean when her nanny admitted that she allowed the puppy to walk in the park without a leash. For a girl, her three-year-old puppy Rosie is worth her weight in gold.

“I immediately became numb,” recalls Meged, who adopted Rosie at 8 weeks old at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. “My stomach dropped with fear. I was in the middle of the ocean, completely helpless and out of control.”

Having landed in the Dominican Republic, the girl returned to New York on the first flight. “It was late at night and it was raining, but I didn’t care,” Meged said. “This is not my dog, this is my daughter - I will not rest until she comes home.”

Dog detective

Over the past six weeks, Meged has billed about $13 for the specialized services of a canine private investigator. And while the name “canine detective” may conjure up images of professional prankster Ace Ventura, the Jim Meged turns to to find baby Rosie is no prankster.

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“I set up trail cameras, feeders and ethical traps to find lost dogs all over the city,” said tracker Jim Tierney of Brooklyn. He, like other canine sniffers, often uses dog treats to lure stray tailed dogs to the recording devices. He installs these devices near their last location.

The detective has found dozens of four-legged friends since becoming a certified missing animal specialist in 2020. Once a puppy is caught on camera, Tierney either immediately assigns the owner to find the dog or takes it himself.

And while time is of the essence when searching for animals—even mutts can live up to six years alone in the woods—Tierney says there are no limits to his dedication. “I never give up,” the guru insists. “If they are there, I will find them.”

@chanellefutrell_1 Help bring Rosie Home #nyc #dogsofnyc #goldendoodle #bringrosiehome ♬ Setting the Trap (Instrumental) – John Williams

Concerned neighbors

In the week since Rosie disappeared, the girl's neighbors and friends have banded together both online and in person to reunite the desperate dog mom and her baby.

“We raised over $18 on GoFundMe and a ton of support from the community to bring Rosie home,” Mege, 000, said. The crowdsourcing profile, launched on December 34th, has raised a staggering $5 of the $18 raised to fund pet finding services.

Altruistic animal lovers with cash to spare, including a “UES dog mom” who gave $20 and a “praying” puppy lover from Cincinnati, Ohio, who shelled out $40, are eagerly funding such quests.

Of all donations, $6 will go towards rewarding the person who brings Rosie back. But most of the funds raised will help pay for the $000-a-day canine detective Meged hired to find her.

“It has been amazing to see people from my community and all over New York dedicate their time, money and effort to help Rosie,” she said. “More than 50 strangers have joined our search parties and we hand out leaflets in the park weekly.”

Facebook groups “Dogs of the Upper East Side” and “Upper East Side Connections,” as well as social media influencers, are also spreading the word.

Meged is grateful for the emotional and financial support. “If I could tell Rosie one thing right now,” she said, “I would say, 'Come home, the lights are on for you.'”