What to do if your pet goes missing.
We know how scary and stressful it is when a beloved pet goes missing. So we wanted to share with you important tips to follow when an animal goes missing that can help bring him/her home safely.
1. MAKE FLYERS RIGHT AWAY! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO.
- Print at least 300 for dogs and 100 for cats
- Post at every intersection and high traffic areas (use clear packing tape and/or stapler)
- Leave a flyer at every neighbor’s house
- Give a flyer to all delivery people including postman
- Post flyers at your local pet supplies store
- Post flyers at your local vet office
- PUT A LOST PET AD ON CRAIGS LIST (Note: check all the found pet ads as well in case someone has found your pet and has posted)
- CALL THE MICROCHIP COMPANY TO LET THEM KNOW YOUR PET IS LOST AND MAKE SURE ALL YOUR PHONE NUMBERS ARE UPDATED WITH THEM
- CHECK ALL OF YOUR LOCAL SHELTERS
- Most shelters post some photos of lost pets on line. Check their website every day
- Go in person at least every other day and ask to check all medical rooms as well
- Post a flyer on the board at the entrance as well as on the street around the shelter
- Hand a flyer to every single shelter employee you see
- WALK THE AREA WHERE YOUR PET WENT MISSING AND CALL TO HIM/HER SEVERAL TIMES A DAY
- CALL ALL LOCAL VET HOSPITALS AND FAX OR EMAIL A FLYER TO THEM. DON’T FORGET TO CHECK WITH THE EMERGENCY VET HOSPITALS WHO ARE ONLY OPEN AT NIGHT.
*SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOGS:
Some dogs will hide right away when they become lost. They will crouch under cars, in bushes or in a neighbors yard. Others though will try to run as far and as fast as possible when they are afraid. So make sure to talk to all of your neighbors but also post flyers at least as far as a 2 mile radius. If you see your dog sit on the ground and call to him/her. Do not chase. Chasing can cause them to run just because they are scared and not recognizing you.
*SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CATS:
Cats do not tend to roam very far! So if your cat is lost he/she is most likely within a few blocks or right under your house! Cats often get trapped in sheds or places they cannot get out of. Your cat could be stuck in a tree from being chased by a dog. The following tips are very important!
- Check every crawl space under your house/building and under all neighbor’s houses
- Look for any openings or hiding places around your building and neighbor’s buildings
- Use a flashlight to shine into all areas because cats’ eyes reflect back
- Leave a bowl of wet food and water outside of where he/she got out
- Talk to every neighbor on your block and streets on all sides. Ask them to check their sheds, garages and yards
- Because when people see a cat roaming they sometimes don’t realize that cat is lost. So flyers are most important! Make sure to post a ton of flyers everywhere in your neighborhood.
- Shake a bag of kibble or treats to try and draw your cat home. He/she is probably very scared and might need a lot of coaxing to come out of hiding.
Note: 90% of cats who are kept as indoor only pets are found when they get lost because they are always hiding under the house or just a few doors away.