Modern technology triumphs where traditional search methods would have failed, as drone operators and tracking devices save a lost golden retriever after a harrowing 25-mile journey along one of America’s busiest highways.
Story Highlights
- 9-year-old golden retriever Abbie escaped during transport from South Carolina to Maine at New Jersey Turnpike rest stop
- USAR Drone Team used thermal imaging to locate Abbie in woods after she traveled 25 miles along dangerous highway corridor
- Apple AirTag-style tracking device provided crucial location data throughout the overnight search operation
- Multi-agency coordination between nonprofit drone team, local police, and animal control achieved successful rescue
Technology Saves Lives on Dangerous Highway
Abbie, a 9-year-old golden retriever mix, escaped during a routine bathroom break at Joyce Kilmer service area in East Brunswick around 6 a.m. Saturday morning. The dog was being transported by Final Victory Animal Rescue from South Carolina to her new adoptive home in Maine when handlers let several dogs out for relief. Within moments, Abbie bolted and disappeared into the heavily trafficked New Jersey Turnpike corridor, beginning a terrifying journey that would cover roughly 25 miles.
Final Victory Animal Rescue, located more than 10 hours away in South Carolina, worked nonstop to coordinate a remote search operation. The tracking tag Abbie wore provided general location updates as she moved along the dangerous Turnpike corridor from New Brunswick toward Woodbridge Township. This consumer technology proved invaluable in maintaining contact with the missing dog across such a vast and hazardous area.
Drone Team Delivers Expert Rescue Operations
The Unmanned Search and Rescue (USAR) Drone Team, a New Jersey-based nonprofit specializing in drone search and rescue operations, deployed thermal imaging equipment to locate Abbie in wooded areas near Woodbridge Township. This marked their 123rd dog rescue, demonstrating extensive experience in animal recovery missions. The team previously located a lost puppy that had been missing for over 24 hours in just 41 minutes using similar drone technology.
USAR coordinated carefully with Woodbridge Township police and animal control officers, directing ground personnel where to position vehicles to avoid pushing Abbie back toward the dangerous Turnpike traffic. The tactical precision required to corner a frightened animal in such a high-risk environment showcased the value of aerial surveillance combined with coordinated ground operations. Around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, approximately 20 hours after her initial escape, Abbie was safely captured.
Successful Outcome Despite Injuries
Rescue teams found Abbie cold, fearful, and injured with a hip injury and road rash from her extensive journey along the highway corridor. She received immediate veterinary care at Tri-State Veterinary Hospital in Woodbridge and will require hip surgery for her injuries. Despite the trauma and medical needs, Abbie’s survival represents a remarkable success story for modern search and rescue capabilities.
Final Victory Animal Rescue announced that Abbie would not continue to her planned adoptive home in Maine but instead would return to her foster family in Columbia, South Carolina, who decided to adopt her permanently. The organization expressed gratitude through social media, stating “With boots on the ground and eyes in the sky, Abbie was located and recovered safely” and offering “a huge thank you to every agency involved for showing up when it mattered most.”
Sources:
Drone video shows rescue of dog that escaped from car on NJ Turnpike – 20 miles away
Rescuers use drone technology to find dog that escaped along the New Jersey Turnpike
Missing dog in NJ rescued after being located by USAR drone team using thermal imaging
