Metro East Drone

12/04/2025

Please share with those in the Godfrey/Alton area. I’ve spent a lot of hours flying the last known area and surrounding to no avail, he’s moved to somewhere or is really good at hiding from… everyone.

12/02/2025

Fellow pet friend Lost Pet Recovery had her own “fun” the other day with one of hers that got loose. I know that feeling as well and it’s “not a good thing” (tm). Great reminder that we’re all human, things happen fast, and it’s important to remain calm and like she said in her video, watch what your dog is doing. Several of my recoveries have been just like this where the dog had just snuck loose and the owner was struggling - a calm and slow approach (treats in hand always help!) can win the day.

Thanks Jess, stay safe down there!

11/18/2025

He’s home! While drone work wasn’t required this time, I helped with the trap deployment, flyers, and other logistics behind the scenes. Thankfully he returned home tonight safely. My goodness this was a long standing case!

The plan worked to perfection and ASH IS HOME!!! 👏🏻😍🙌🏻✋🏻💙

11/16/2025

Monti is home! Patience was the key! I wish I could take all the credit but Brendan and Mariah really did the work! I can’t thank them enough for staying patient and calm through this case. Pyrenees for some reason will like to “roam” and his adventure was very similar to another case from a year ago I worked with Found A Hound and “Bug”. Thankfully Monti stuck to the area and they were able to keep moving the trap around to where hopefully he would go to.

The owners, their Family and friends, the entire community was a huge help, from the Town, the County, fellow drone pilots and trappers. This case worked out amazingly well.

Please - consider a tracking collar for your pet! I know expenses are tight, but the stress and potential vet bills for a dog that escapes could easily erode what comes to I feel is cheap insurance to find your pet quickly. While Pyrenees are evasive, a tracking collar likely would’ve led to us placing a trap the first night. This is no slight toward Brendan or Mariah. This is just something I’ve seen over and over with dog cases and something I know can help.

This link does give me a free month, but you the pet owner(s) get so much more back! Deals vary but you usually get a free collar and a free month’s service.

https://shop.tryfi.com/r/J9G2MF/?utm_source=referrals&type=dog

11/14/2025

2025-2026 Fundraiser:

With planning and hurdles behind us, we're poised to launch a groundbreaking fundraising campaign for our Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), an underwater drone that will aid in the lifesaving work of local Search and Rescue teams by harnessing cutting-edge technology to amplify their impact while minimizing risk. By partnering with Zeffy, a fundraising platform that maximizes donation impact, we're setting the stage for a meaningful difference. Every contribution to Metro East Drone fuels the dedication of those who safeguard our communities, and together, we can forge a robust foundation for our drone services to flourish and uplift both responders and the community at large.

🌊 When a person goes missing near water, every second counts. Traditional dive teams face limited visibility, dangerous conditions, and long response times that can delay recovery efforts. That’s why Metro East Drone is working to purchase a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) — an underwater dro...

11/13/2025

After a lengthy day, the search for Monti continues. He’s moved into the SW part of Breese from what we can tell. Please do not approach the dog, he’s confirmed to run away from people and we are trying to keep him in the area so we can safely return him to his family.

Special thanks to Gass Geoservices LLC for coming out to the area last night and checking the area. It’s great when pilots from different groups from all over, just like Eye In The Sky Thermal Drone Pet Rescue who came down as well to help find him.

Last night I stopped by the Hardee’s in a desperate move to find food quickly so I could get home and sleep, they even had a flyer up for him! Apologies for the lack of smiles, it had been a much longer day than I had hoped.

A grateful shout out to the community of Breese (Illinois) for helping out by watching for him, donating space, and offering to help when and where they could.

Special thanks as always to Found A Hound Rescue for loaning out a camera and “special sauce” to bring Monti to the feeding station. While amazingly only a baby opossum stopped by so far, this camera is a huge help for monitoring the status of an area.

10/25/2025

Pending case we’ll be on today.

🆘‼️COLLINSVILLE, IL‼️WOODLAND TRAILS MOBILE HOME PARK HWY 157‼️🆘

This is the little fella who was found in a dumpster yesterday morning. He was removed from the dumpster but then escaped when the finder took him home.

He seems to be shy and skittish. PLEASE call ASAP with sightings!

10/25/2025

Help find this little guy a home! While this wasn’t a drone rescue for him, he really needed help and needs a proper home. I met him briefly and I know there is a great dog there.

10/20/2025

Hey everyone! We’ve got some exciting updates to share!

First, we’re changing our name from Metro East Lost Pet Search and Rescue to Metro East Drone. Don’t worry—we’re still here for the Metro East community, flying drones to support rescues, search teams, and agencies that help both animals and people.

Moving forward, we’ll focus on assisting other organizations that could use an extra hand—or an eye in the sky (or underwater). By teaming up instead of working alone, we can make a bigger impact. Sadly, the need for help in both lost pet and missing person searches just keeps growing.

We’re also expanding our capabilities by adding a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)—aka an underwater drone. This tool can speed up response times and reduce the load on local dive teams, most of which are run by volunteers.

And finally, we’re becoming a nonprofit! We’re officially registered in Illinois and awaiting 501(c)(3) approval as soon as the government gets back to work. This move better reflects our mission and the support we’ve felt from all of you.

Thanks for sticking with us—we’re just getting started!

09/10/2025

Alright!!!!!

08/05/2025

08/02/2025

A little change of pace, Hope Animal Rescues has been very busy adopting dogs out! Consider them if you’re looking for a pet or maybe an additional one.