Search and Rescue FAQ

How much does it cost?

It can depend on the exact circumstances of a search but our base price is $385 for up to three batteries of flight time which is around 90 minutes depending on weather conditions (high winds will reduce this time). We do not require payment until after a search is completed. The only payment we need in advance is any travel costs involved getting to the search area but we provide full details of this at the time of the enquiry. Our fee is payable regardless of duration of the search. If extra time is requested after 3 batteries we can provide this at $120 per extra battery duration.

What happens once you spot our missing animal?

We generate a QR code from the exact position of the drone which you scan into your phone. This adds a pinpoint to Google maps which you then use to locate your missing animal. If conditions allow, we keep tracking the animal (if it's moving) or hover overhead and provide real time updates via phone (or provided walkie-talkie if in a no-signal area.

Any lost animal owner on a retrieval operation MUST seek any relevant property owners permission before a retrieval is attempted - NIMBUS DRONE SERVICES is not responsible for any part of a physical retrieval operation.

You don't recover the animal yourselves?

Your animal does not know us, is not familiar with our smell and will be scared of us. That is why we request that a person the animal knows be in attendance for the search to attempt a physical retrieval. Our service provides a sighting and exact location of the lost animal, we'd do more harm than good if we also tried to recover it!

What payment facilities do you have?

Search fees are payable on conclusion of flights and can be paid by cash, PayID, BPay. VISA, MasterCard and EFTPOS facilities are available on the day subject to moible coverage. Card payments incur a 1.5% surcharge.
Agreed travel costs are payable in advance via PayID or verified BPay payment.

What is your success rate?

This is dependant on how soon you have contacted us from the last sighting and the type of animal (for example certain dogs can travel over 15km in one day). If we get in the air within 24 hours, chances of a successful sighting are good. After that, chances diminish rapidly. We have had successful sightings well after the 24 hour time period but please be aware time is of the essence in animal SAR.

Are there areas you can't fly?

All flights adhere strictly to CASA regulations. We are not permitted to fly over populous areas (this includes any building which may have people inside it). CASA own all Australian airspace, property owners do not - as long as we do not fly directly over their house, a homeowner has no right to stop us flying. In fact there are very high penalties (includng jail time) for anyone interfering with an inflight drone operating within the CASA regulations. There are also certain regulations involving recreation areas and reserves but we fully comply with all requirements to keep any search fully within any local/state remit an always advise outr clients of any operational restrictions.

That said, we always encourage lost animal owners to advise people in the area they have employed a drone SAR service. As operators we also do what we can to notify any relevant property owner of a search out of good will - this is not always possible however.

What time of day do you typically search?

During the Late Spring and Summer months, the ambient ground temperature from the suns rays mean an early morning search (before Sunrise) is required. At most other times our thermal camera will detect an animals body temperature through most of the day - this is obviously dependant on the amount of heat on the day in question but we will only start a search if conditions are optimal.

Can you search for my lost cat?

We can search for any kind of animal. However, please be aware that cats have an innate ability to find very good shelter at any sign of possible danger or unfamiliarity. We can (& do) search for cats but your best course of action is to place their litter box outdoors (cats can detect smells several km away) and do local leaflet drops. Also, nightime walks (around 3am is optimal), calling their name and having their favourtite treat often has positive results. If those fail, a drone should be probably be your last option due to the inherent challenges of a cat search. Beware of drone operators claiming they can find anything, anytime, anywhere.

With any lost animal regardless of species, posting on local FaceBook groups and contacting the local vet and ranger are an absolute necessity.