The GdeKotBot project in Kazakhstan has introduced a new method for locating lost pets by equipping free-roaming cats with compact cameras and GPS trackers. Artificial intelligence then processes the footage to identify missing animals by comparing them against a database of lost pets.
The initiative originated from a Telegram-based service launched in Almaty in 2025. Initially, the system relied on users uploading photos of stray animals to a bot, which used computer vision to match them with reports from owners. The project has already helped reunite 407 pets with their owners, with a user base exceeding 28,000 people.
The use of cat-mounted cameras leverages the natural behavior of felines, as they can access hiding spots like under-car spaces or dense bushes that are difficult for humans to reach. The GPS tracker provides precise location data when the camera captures a potential match, offering owners a lead for their search.
The technology faces technical limitations, including motion blur, potential frame misses, and false positives from the recognition algorithm. Consequently, the system serves as a tool for generating search leads rather than providing definitive confirmation of a pet's location.
