If you’ve ever had that heart-stopping moment when your dog squeezes through the garden gate, chases a pigeon, and disappears down the road, this one’s for you.
Amazon’s newest Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro has arrived in the UK — and it’s not just for spotting the postie anymore. Soon, it’ll be able to help find missing pets, thanks to an AI-powered upgrade called Search Party for Dogs.
Before you start imagining dog drones or collar trackers, here’s what’s really going on and why Pickles is only mildly suspicious about it.
How It Works
Search Party for Dogs is an upcoming feature that uses AI image recognition and Ring’s neighbourhood network of doorbells and outdoor cameras to help locate missing pets.
When your dog goes missing, you’ll upload a clear photo via the Ring app. Then, nearby outdoor Ring cameras begin scanning their footage for potential matches picking up on coat colour, size, markings, or collar details. If a potential sighting is reported, the camera owner receives a notification and can choose whether to share the footage.
It’s a community-powered canine detective network, running quietly in the background.
Pickles’ Aside: Great. Now the whole street will know when I’m sneaking off to visit my mate next door.
When and Where It’s Launching
Here’s the scoop.
Ring says Search Party will start rolling out in November, beginning in the U.S. and expanding to other regions (including the UK) afterwards.
It’ll initially cover dogs, with cats and other pets to follow later, once the system learns to recognise different species.
In the UK, the new Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro is already up for pre-order and advertised with “Search Party for Dogs” listed among its features — but according to Ring’s own support pages, that doesn’t mean it’s live here just yet.
The official wording says the feature will activate “when available in your area”, suggesting a phased rollout through app updates.
So for now, British dogs can relax your close-ups aren’t being analysed by AI just yet.
Pickles’ Aside: Let the record show I am not consenting to being recognised mid-fox-poo-roll.
Why It Matters
Losing a pet is every owner’s nightmare. Posters, phone calls, local Facebook groups — we’ve all been there or know someone who has.
Search Party could change that game by mobilising a quiet army of doorbells and cameras, turning ordinary homes into a neighbourhood search team. The moment your dog wanders off, the tech gets to work.
Even if the feature only helps a few families at first, that’s still a handful of tails wagging again at home.
It’s also a refreshing use of smart home tech. Instead of just catching burglars or recording parcel deliveries, this one’s genuinely heart-led — using AI for kindness, not just convenience.
Pickles’ Aside: I’m all for community spirit, but if it starts reporting me for garden digging, we’re having words.
How to Use It (Once It Arrives)
When the feature does roll out to the UK, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Update your Ring app to the latest version — that’s where Search Party will appear.
- Upload a good photo of your dog (or cat, once it’s supported). Make sure it’s clear, recent, and shows unique markings.
- Check your privacy settings. The feature will likely be switched on by default, but you can opt out or limit which cameras participate.
- Respond to alerts wisely. AI isn’t perfect. Verify before you race across town after someone else’s Labrador.
- Use it alongside old-school methods — posters, social media, local vets, microchip checks. Tech helps, but it’s not a replacement for human help.
Privacy Barking
Not everyone’s tail is wagging about the privacy side. The Verge reports that Search Party will be on by default, meaning your outdoor Ring camera may automatically analyse footage for pets unless you change your settings.
Ring insists the system doesn’t share any footage without your consent — and users can disable it at any time — but it’s worth keeping an eye on your app settings when the update lands.
Pickles’ Aside: If the doorbell’s watching, does that mean I have to brush my fur before walkies?
Coming Soon… With Cats in Tow
The clever bit is that Ring’s AI will eventually expand beyond dogs. Cats, rabbits, and other small pets are next on the roadmap — though given how little cats care about being found, one suspects they won’t cooperate.
Still, for households where dogs and cats share space (and compete for sofa rights), it’s nice to know that both species will soon be covered.
Pickles’ Aside: Can’t wait to see how AI handles that — good luck telling Tiddles apart from her seven tabby cousins.
Final Thoughts
Search Party for Dogs isn’t quite here yet in the UK, but it’s on its way — and it’s one of the most genuinely useful, heartwarming applications of smart home tech we’ve seen in years.
When it does arrive, it’ll be worth trying out, especially if you’re already a Ring user. Just keep an eye on your settings, make sure your privacy preferences are clear, and have a good photo of your pet ready.
Because when a gadget promises to help bring lost pups (and one day cats) home faster, that’s something worth barking about.
Pickles’ Aside: Personally, I’m waiting for “Search Party for Missing Tennis Balls.” Priorities, humans.