She Used Petco Love Lost to Find Her Missing Dog With One Photo

When Silvena stepped out to run a quick errand one day, she had no idea it would mark the beginning of a five-month search for her beloved 16-year-old Chihuahua mix, Marlo. 

“I felt in a panic immediately,” Silvena said. “It’s like your kid went missing. I didn’t think he could get too far but apparently, he did.” 

Silvena had left Marlo in the backyard while staying at a friend’s house, only to return and discover he had vanished. She scoured the neighborhood by bike and by car, stopping by local veterinary offices to see if anyone had brought him in. One recurring suggestion from the veterinary staff stood out: try Petco Love Lost. 

Turning to Petco Love Lost for Help 

With Marlo still missing, Silvena decided to give the recommendation a try. She created a profile for Marlo on Petco Love Lost. “It was very easy, and only took about two minutes to make a profile,” she said. “I followed the steps to post a picture... then the website did the rest.” 

She also checked in regularly with her local shelter, City of San Antonio Animal Care Services, who had also encouraged her to use Petco Love Lost. Week after week, Silvena kept returning to the site, hoping to find a match.  

A Photo Match That Changed Everything 

After five long months of hoping, searching, and heartbreak, Silvena got the alert she had been waiting for. 

“I got a photo match notification from Petco Love Lost showing Marlo listed as ‘found’ by City of San Antonio Animal Care Services,” she recalled. “I knew immediately it was him.” 

She rushed to the shelter, showed the staff the notification she’d received, and was finally reunited with her long-lost best friend. 

Marlo’s Unexpected Journey 

Amazingly, Marlo had been found four zip codes away from where he first went missing—more than anyone had expected him to travel, especially for a senior pup! 

“I feel like I have my child back with me,” Silvena said.  

“I [knew] he was lost, and I was suffering just as much as he was. Every single day I would think about him,” shared Silvena. 

Why Silvena Recommends Love Lost 

Now that Marlo is back by her side, Silvena is sharing her story to help other pet parents find hope in the face of uncertainty. 

“I would definitely recommend Petco Love Lost because it gave me hope. They were very consistent in helping me find my lost dog and think they understand the urgency and how much I really wanted him back. And it definitely worked.”  

Lost a Pet? Hope Isn’t Lost. 

Silvena and Marlo’s reunion is a heartwarming reminder that even after months apart, happy reunions are possible. Thanks to persistence, community support, and tools like Petco Love Lost, Silvena got the reunion she never gave up hoping for. 

Want to help a friend find their lost pet—or be prepared just in case? Visit petcolovelost.org to learn more.