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Tips on Finding Your Lost Pet
What to do if your pet gets lost – go to www.findtoto.com. For a reasonable price you can have your neighbors informed of your lost pet in no time flat.
Without proper identification, you might never find your pet if he becomes lost. If your pet does become lost, don't delay. Take the following steps to help bring your companion animal home to safety.
Other tips on locating your lost pet:
- Act fast! Don't waste days hoping your pet will come home, the sooner you begin your search, the better the odds of finding him or her.
- Be persistent!! Often times, well meaning people will keep a lost pet at their house for an extended period before turning the dog or cat into the animal shelter.
- Search your neighborhood or area where your pet was lost and let people know she's missing. You may want to offer a reward. Call your pet's name and check any places she could have become trapped, such as in garages or under vehicles. A lost pet often will hide during the day, so be sure to go out again at night with a flashlight and call for him or her. Sometimes a can of food can lure a hungry and scared pet.
- Put a piece of your clothing outside that has your scent on it. Your scent could help lead him or her home.
- Call all animal control agencies in your town and surrounding areas. Animal control officers work through the police department and pick up stray animals. Call them or check their shelters at least every two days. Only you can positively identify your pet.
- Check your local animal control at least every 72 hours. Unlicensed, stray dogs and cats, are only required to be held for five days before they can be adopted or euthanized.
- Send in a notice to your local newspaper or radio station. ARF volunteers can give current information to participating stations and papers.
- Make "lost pet" signs using your pet's description (include a picture if possible). List sex, color, tags, collars or distinguishing characteristics, the area lost, and your information for someone to contact you. Post the signs in your neighborhood and in post offices, libraries, pet supply stores, veterinary offices, grocery stores, schools, and nearby neighbors.
- Inform your veterinarian and groomer that your pet is lost in case they receive a call.
- Place ads in local newspapers and offer a reward in case someone found your untagged pet and was thinking of keeping him.
- Watch the found ads. Respond to any that might be close to your pet's description. A week of wandering the streets can make white pets look drab gray, and the ad's description might not exactly fit.
- Call your local radio stations. Some radio stations will broadcast lost pet information for free. Give them very detailed information on where your pet was lost, her description and how to contact you.
- If you have recently moved, leave notices with neighbors in both your old and new neighborhoods, and check with agencies in that area.
- If you have lost a purebred dog, check with Breed Rescue Clubs.
- Make sure that all current and correct information is on file for your dog's license and rabies tags.
- If your animal has been micro-chipped, make sure the company has your current information. Check your neighborhood frequently on foot. Be sure to check at night. If your pet is in an area it is not familiar with, it will only come out when it is quiet.