We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions about the Shadow app to better explain how the Shadow community has been able to help reunite over 6,000 lost dogs.

What is your mission?

Our mission is to Help People Help People. We bring people together and make it easy to help a neighbor (or a dog!) in need.

Is the app free?

Our app is 100% free! We got started after a friend of ours (Brad) had his dog (Shadow) go missing. We built the app to help anyone in that awful situation, no matter what. We’re fortunate to have a strong community who supports us and allows us to offer our services for free. Offering a reward and purchasing a social promotion are completely optional.

How does Shadow use my location to find dogs?

When you report the location for where a dog went missing or was found, the app creates a radius that finds dogs nearby for you to review. It also finds all the nearest shelters/rescues to make your search easier. If your location is incorrect, our team can update it for you. In the app, tap “Report” and then tap “Feedback and Questions” to let us know and we’ll get on it!

How does the Shadow community help?

Our community of dog lovers support one another to help reunite dogs. They help look through photo matches and send leads when they spot a potential match. They also can help with hanging flyers, sharing to their network of friends, and offering support for those searching. 

Why is there another phone number on the flyer?

To protect your privacy, we connect your phone to an anonymous number. We show this number on the flyer instead of your real number because we know how concerning it can be to post your real number publicly. Anyone who calls or texts your anonymous number will be able to reach you. After your Story is closed, the forwarding is discontinued. 

How does photo matching work?

Our photo match technology brings photos of lost and found dogs — posted by shelters, on social media, anywhere — all in one place. The app is always looking through new photos from shelters and online listings so that you don’t have to. When these photos are identified, they are added to the app for both you and for volunteers to look through. When a possible match is made, more information about the dog is sent. By combining this technology and the community’s help, we are able to help reunite more dogs!

If you have any more questions for our team, please reach out to help@shadowapp.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!