Tracking Tools Help Cortez’s K-9 Teams Find Missing People

K-9 Search and Rescue’s dog and volunteer units play a critical role in search and rescue operations in Montezuma County, aiding the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, Montezuma County Search and Rescue, and Cortez Police Department in roughly a dozen searches each year. But while the nonprofit’s K-9 units are essential for locating missing or injured people, outdated equipment makes it difficult for handlers to track their dogs’ movements accurately in the field. One volunteer noticed how the group’s technology gaps were affecting its operations, so she reached out to LOR with an idea. LOR’s funding will help K-9 Search and Rescue purchase GPS collars, handheld GPS trackers, and a new laptop capable of real-time tracking, ensuring the team’s 14 volunteers can better monitor their dogs and help local law enforcement find missing people more quickly.