Lost pet recovery6 min read
Lost Mode explained: what the finder sees when you flip the switch
When a pet goes missing, the few seconds before a finder decides what to do matter. Lost Mode adds a clear alert banner to the public scan page so the finder knows the pet is actively missing.
The Driyu team
Pet safety editorial
Quick answer: Turning on Lost Mode adds a banner to the public scan page that tells the finder this pet is actively missing. The pet’s other profile information (photo, microchip, your chosen contact fields) still shows. The banner makes urgency explicit.
Why Lost Mode exists
A finder who scans a tag does not know whether the pet is just visiting or actively missing. They guess. Guessing slows the reunion. Lost Mode resolves the ambiguity.
What changes on the scan page
- Prominent alert banner near the top.
- Focused call-to-action.
- Found-pet report form remains available.
- Photo, name, description, microchip, medical alerts continue to render exactly as configured.
- Your toggles for phone, email, city, state, emergency contacts continue to apply.
When to turn it on
As soon as you realize the pet is missing. Even minutes count — many lost pets are found by neighbors in the first hour, often within a mile of home. Turn it off when the pet is safely home.
A narrower secondary alert path
When Lost Mode is on AND the finder is prompted to share location but declines, the owner gets a narrower alert even without a full report. Useful when a finder is hesitant about location sharing but still wants to help.
How Driyu fits
Lost Mode is one toggle. It does not change privacy controls. Owner notifications still fire on submitted reports; the Lost Mode banner shifts the finder from “curious” to “act now.”
Related reads from Driyu
- When Driyu notifies the owner and when it does not
- What happens when someone scans your pet’s QR tag
- What to do in the first hour your pet is missing
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Does Lost Mode change my privacy toggles?
No. Toggles continue to apply. Lost Mode adds a banner; it does not unhide hidden fields.
How long should I leave Lost Mode on?
Until the pet is home. Then turn it off.
Does Lost Mode broadcast my location?
No. Lost Mode adds urgency; the public scan page still shows what you have configured.
Will I get a notification when a finder sees the Lost Mode banner?
Owner notifications fire when a finder submits the found-pet report. A bare scan, even in Lost Mode, does not trigger a notification.
