Regional Animal Services of King County has joined with Missing Pet Partnership to train volunteers for the “Mission Reunite: Help and Hope for Lost Pets” program.

People who are interested in volunteering are invited to attend a training session 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the King County Pet Adoption Center, 21615 64th Ave. S., Kent.

MPP is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping families who have lost their pets. Founder Kat Albrecht has been involved in tracking down missing pets since 1997, and founded MPP in 2001. Through this collaborative effort with MPP, RASKC volunteers will be trained to offer hands-on assistance to pet owners who have lost a dog or cat.

Volunteers also will be trained to help people who come into the Pet Adoption Center looking for their missing pet, and to find the owners of lost pets that have already been picked up by RASKC.

“When a pet goes missing, it can be very upsetting,” said Sarah Luthens, manager of volunteer programs for RASKC. “Nationally, only 16 percent of lost dogs, and just two percent of lost cats, are ever reunited with their owners. The Mission Reunite program is a highly innovative, volunteer-based program that can improve those odds and re-connect lost pets with their families.”

People who are interested in becoming a Mission Reunite volunteer should RSVP to sarah.luthens@kingcounty.gov, or call 206-296-3946. For those who complete the March 24 training, a follow-up “hands-on” session is planned for March 31.

“While Mission Reunite can help re-connect lost pets with their owners, it’s also important for people to license and microchip their dog or cat,” added Luthens. “A pet that is licensed and microchipped has a much better chance of being reunited with its owner.”

For more information about pet licensing, volunteering for RASKC, or adopting a pet, visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets or call 206-296-PETS (7387).