Welcome to TailTracker Finder Certification

Your safety and legal compliance aren't just important—they override everything else in a search mission. No pet recovery is worth anyone getting hurt or facing legal consequences.

Never enter private property without explicit permission. This means:

• No stepping onto lawns, driveways, or yards—even if you spot the pet
• No opening gates, even if they're unlocked
• No going around to backyards "just to check"
• If a property looks abandoned, it still requires permission

Other critical safety rules:

• Traffic safety: Never block roads, park illegally, or create hazards while searching
• Personal safety: Search in daylight when possible; never go into dangerous areas alone
• Weather awareness: Don't put yourself at risk in severe weather—suspended missions save lives
• If something feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your instincts and call for guidance

Remember: We're building long-term community relationships. One trespassing incident can damage years of goodwill and make future searches harder for everyone.

A frightened lost pet is in survival mode. Your job isn't to catch them—it's to observe, report, and let trained handlers manage the reunion. Here's why this matters:

Never chase or corner a lost pet. When you chase:

• Scared pets run into traffic, dangerous terrain, or farther from home
• You can trigger a "fear flight" that extends the search by days or weeks
• Some pets can become aggressive when cornered, risking injury
• You may inadvertently train the pet to run from all humans

Use only TailTracker-approved contact methods:

• Report sightings through the TailTracker app—never call owners directly (they may be fragile emotionally)
• Let Team Leaders coordinate all owner communication to provide calm, professional updates
• Never share owner contact info with other volunteers or the public
• Respect that owners are going through trauma; our job is to help, not overwhelm

If a pet approaches you voluntarily: Stay calm, let them sniff, don't grab. Take photos, secure the area if safe, and report immediately. The owner will want to be part of the reunion.

Here's the truth: Seeing a lost pet but not reporting it properly is almost as bad as not seeing them at all. Our behavioral prediction system (the TailTracker LPRS Engine) needs good data to work. Your reports save lives.

Every sighting report should include:

• Photo or video (even if blurry—it confirms the sighting)
• Precise location (GPS coordinates from the app are ideal)
• Timestamp (helps us track movement patterns)
• Pet behavior (walking, running, hiding, eating, following someone)
• Direction of travel if they were moving
• Any interactions (people feeding, other animals nearby)

Why this matters:

• The TailTracker LPRS Engine uses your data to help predict where the pet will go next
• Fresh sightings let us redirect nearby volunteers in real-time
• Pattern data helps us refine search zones and poster placement
• Each report gives hope to families in crisis

Even negative data helps: "Searched [area] for 30 minutes, no sightings" helps us eliminate zones and focus resources. Report everything.

Every poster you hang represents a family in crisis. Every interaction with a business owner or property manager affects our reputation. You're not just finding pets—you're building trust that makes future missions possible.

When placing posters:

• Always get permission before posting on private property or businesses
• Use the TailTracker app to log every poster location with GPS coordinates
• Take a photo of each placed poster (helps with later removal)
• Use only approved materials (weather-resistant, doesn't damage surfaces)
• Be respectful and professional when requesting placement permission

Mission closeout responsibilities:

• Review your logged poster locations in the app when mission status changes to "Recovered"
• Physically remove or retrieve every poster you placed
• If you cannot remove a poster yourself, report its location so another volunteer can
• Thank business owners and property managers who helped
• Mark posters as "removed" in the app so we know they're down

This isn't just about aesthetics—outdated posters confuse the public, frustrate property owners, and make it harder to get permission for the next emergency. When we take care of our communities, they take care of lost pets.

You represent TailTracker: Every interaction you have reflects on all of us. Be professional, be grateful, be respectful. We're guests in these communities, and we want to be invited back when the next family needs help.