Methods and apparatus for pet detection in security systems. In one example, a method includes detecting a motion event in a scene using a motion detector, based on detecting the motion event, activating an image capture device to acquire a plurality of images of the scene, applying a motion detection process to the plurality of images to detect motion in the scene, applying an object detection process to at least one of the plurality of images to detect an object in the scene, pairing the motion with the object to locate a moving object, identifying the moving object as a pet, and based at least in part on identifying the moving object as a pet, deactivating the image capture device.