In Manasquan, New Jersey, restaurant owner Michael Parziale has taken on a second role: helping families find their missing pets from the air.

Parziale founded the nonprofit Unmanned Search and Rescue (U.S.A.R.) Drone Team, combining drone searches with free training for veterans. According to the supplied New York Post report, the organization had rescued 122 animals during its first two years, using a fleet of 18 drones. Its searches have involved dogs, cats and even a cow.

One rescue involved Shade, a five-month-old American Bully mix who bolted after a noise frightened him before a walk with his owner, Gina Manfredi. As darkness fell, the weather turned cold and windy, with light snow adding to the family’s worry.

After searching for 24 hours, Manfredi contacted Parziale on someone’s recommendation. According to the account, he arrived and located Shade in 41 minutes. Manfredi later shared her gratitude publicly, describing the reunion and the kindness that helped make it possible.

Parziale’s path into animal rescue began with a search for a missing person in Toms River. A pastor asked him to help find a man who had been missing for three days. Parziale told the Post that he located the man in a swamp in an hour and 18 minutes. The man was suffering from hypothermia.

A subsequent request to find a lost pet led Parziale toward the work that would become the team’s focus. As successful searches brought more referrals, the operation grew.

The nonprofit also reflects his family’s military history. Parziale said he established it in honor of his father, who served in World War II, and his two grandfathers, who served in World War I.

Through its work, U.S.A.R. supports free drone career training for veterans. That training can help participants pursue opportunities in aerial surveying, agricultural spraying, photography, infrastructure inspections, and search and rescue.

Donations also help fund pet searches for older retirees who cannot afford professional assistance. For some of those owners, an animal is their closest daily companion, making the reunion especially meaningful.

Parziale works with his two sons and a small rotating group of volunteers. Based at the Jersey Shore, the team responds to calls across New Jersey, from Cape May to the state’s northern mountains.

His aerial work extends beyond missing pets. An experienced private pilot and FAA-licensed drone operator, Parziale also assists first responders after hurricanes, using specialized drones to help identify flooding and landslides.

For readers interested in the people behind Jersey Shore communities, his story offers a different perspective on Manasquan. Alongside its familiar coastal appeal is a local effort connecting aviation skills, support for veterans, and the simple relief of bringing a beloved animal home.

Source: The supplied New York Post article, which also references reporting by NJ.com and ABC News. Rescue totals and fleet size reflect that report.