Pet Detective Training

Pet Detective and Missing Animal Response Training Programs

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a "pet detective," be aware that some states may require that you are a licensed private investigator to offer these services.  This may not apply to non-profits or volunteer groups.

Missing Animal Response Network

This educational site is operated by Kat Albrecht, founder of Missing Pet Partnership (MPP).  The Missing Animal Response Network (MARN) offers several online training options for those interested in helping people find lost pets as a professional or volunteer.  This course is an expansion of the Missing Animal Response Technician (MAR tech) course that was previously offered by MPP.  I took the MAR tech certification back in 2008 as an on-site seminar and I also took their first webinar training in 2013.  

Mission Reunite

This non-profit group was formerly called Missing Pet Partnership.  According to their website, they offer animal shelter seminars and an online Missing Pet Consultant certificate program.  This appears to be aimed at offering volunteer lost pet services.

Search Dog Training

The Missing Animal Response Network offers virtual search dog training for both cat detection and lost pet tracking dogs.

Pet Search and Rescue offers some resources on search dog training.  In 2024 they also offered several conferences.

For more books and websites on search dog training, see the Scent and Search Dogs page.

Pet Detective Autobiographies 

These autobiographies are a good way to learn more about what it's really like to be a pet detective.

Running a Pet Detective Business

There aren't yet any books specifically on running a pet detective business, but there are some good materials available on successfully operating dog-based businesses in general.  

I definitely recommend Veronica Boutelle's books and materials from DogBiz (formerly called DogTec) including one-on-one business and marketing consulting, which I have personally taken.  They also offer online business and marketing classes in their Dogbiz University.

The following books are useful for learning how to effectively work with clients and gain compliance.  These are often the most difficult aspects of both dog training and helping people find their missing pets.

More Resources on Running a Pet-Based Business

The Applied Animal Behavior Academy offers some great webinar packages such as the Client Relationship Package and the Dog Behavior Science Package.

DogBiz offers both one-on-one and group business coaching.  They also offer online business and marketing classes in their Dogbiz University.  I found their Money Matters 101 class particularly helpful with my business.

The Justice Clearing House has some good webinars on dealing with stress, burnout and compassion fatigue.

Tawzer Dog is another great resource for webinars on running a dog-based business.