Pets get lost. It just happens. Precautions can be taken to prevent escapes and wondering but sometimes it still happens. What do we do when a pet does become lost? Here we will discuss five of the many ways to recover a lost pet.
1. Identification – This is one thing that goes without saying. If your pet has some form of ID, he is more likely to be returned than one that does not. Microchipping is one way to permanently identify a dog, cat, bird or other pet. Each pet is given an ID number that can be scanned by most shelters and veterinary clinics across the country to return them to home. Collars with ID on them in the form of an updated and clearly legible tag are one of the cheapest and simplest ways to ensure that the pet is returned to home. A collar without ID does little for recovering a lost pet. All that does is tell the one who finds the pet that it had a home; not where or with whom.
2. Phone Calls – Phone calls are an important tool when searching for a lost pet. Call every veterinary hospital in the area and even some outside of your area. Ask them if they’ve heard reports of a missing pet of yours description. If not, give them the description incase someone presents the pet in the near future. Animal shelters should be notified as well. Even pet stores in the area should be called as many of them will take pets off the street from customers. The “dog catcher” should also be contacted, even if a dog isn’t the kind of pet you are missing. They often pick up others as well.
Call family, friends and neighbors so they can be on the watch for the pet and report any sightings.
The mistake many people make is not following up. For example, let’s say you’ve lost your dog. You called everyone you know including the animal shelter. No reports have been made so you wait for someone to call you assuming that if they see the dog they’ll report it. Later in the week, your dog is presented to the local shelter. The folks at the shelter see a lot of dogs so the description match went unnoticed. This is why repeat calls should be made. Keep calling the shelters every day to make sure your pet hasn’t been brought in between calls.
Local and national pet rescues can be contacted as well. Some are specific to a species while others cover all lost pets. They send notification out to all members of the groups across the country spreading the word that the pet is lost.
3. Advertise – Hang up posters and signs everywhere in your city. Local shopping centers and retail stores, pet stores, shelters, veterinary clinics, the post office, and anywhere else that will allow a sign to be posted are places to start. Visit neighbors and show a recent photo of your dog.
Another great means of advertising is in the local newspaper. Most newspapers print ads for free for lost or found pets. Many people first check the paper when a stray or lost pet is found and often, this is their only means of locating the pet’s owners.
4. Get Out There and Look – As soon as you know you’re pet is missing, get out there and hunt for him. Driving around the neighborhood is one way but many pets don’t follow the street. Searching on foot is slower but might be the only way to find him. If you’ve lost a parrot, search high in the trees. Birds naturally seek height when frightened so if he’s been spotted, be prepared to climb!
Be sure to search every nook and cranny to find your pet. Continue searching even if no results have been found. Many pets are recovered well after all hope has been lost.
5. Enticement – If a search has been unsuccessful, it is important to leave something outside near the door for him to come back to. Food and water should be left out. With birds, leave his cage out for him. If he is near and he can see his cage, many will want to come back to it.
Many pets that are lost are covered when there has been an effort to find him or her. It’s important to stay on top of the situation and always be aware of new pets in the shelters, ads in the papers, and reports from friends and families. Keeping an updated photo and description of your pet is essential in the event that a pet becomes lost.
Don’t lose hope; pets have been recovered within hours while others take much longer. It has been reported that some cats have been found on the opposite side of the country months or years later. Similar situations have been noted with dogs and other pets as well. There is always the chance that your pet will be returned to you if you’re taking the right precautions and putting forth the effort to find your beloved family member.
