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How to Find a Lost Pet
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Most people think it won't happen to them, but losing
a pet occurs more often than one might think.
Several million lost animals enter the nation's
shelters a year. According to a study of 1000 animal
shelters conducted by the National Council on Pet
Population Study and Policy, only 16% of these dogs
and 2% of cats were returned to their owners. One
reason is that many owners fail to securely fasten or
otherwise apply identification with current contact
information on their pet. Another is that owners fail
to take effective steps to find their animals or delay
taking action.
To raise awareness about pet tags and identification,
the American Humane Association has designated April 5
as Tag Day.
What to do when a pet is missing:
* Take action immediately. The sooner you start your
search, the better your chances of finding the animal.
* Walk around the area calling your pet's name, or
have a family member do this. At the same time, you
and/or trusted acquaintances should be taking the
following steps. Teamwork is crucial.
* Call every animal shelter, animal control
department, humane society and veterinarian in your
area. Also call breed rescues if your pet is a
particular breed.
* Provide a very detailed description of the animal,
including the name of the pet, sex, age, breed type,
weight, neuter status, color and distinctive markings.
Describe the type of collar and identification tag
the pet should be wearing. If the pet is microchipped
or has a tattoo, be sure to provide that information.
Some vets and other facilities will post a notice in
their facility about the lost pet.
* Make a flyer. Design a simple format with
easy-to-read type and a photo (color, if possible) of
the pet. Do not include too much detail; you want the
type large enough for people to read, and you want
readers to remember the key details. However, if the
pet needs certain medications or other special care,
include a note that the pet has a special health
condition and must be found immediately.
Also, be sure to include a phone number at which
callers can always reach you or a trusted contact.
Two contact numbers are even better. If possible,
include a strip of tear-off tabs noting Lost Pet and
the numbers. Many people have found it helpful to add
the word REWARD in large type.
* Use a scanner to scan the photo and create the
flyer. If you do not have a scanner, print out the
poster leaving room for the photo, then take the
poster and photo to a copy shop or office supply store
to photocopy.
* Make as many copies as you can, and ask trustworthy
people to help you post the flyers as many places as
you can within a 10- to 20-mile radius. Knock on doors
in neighborhoods where you think your pet might be.
Do the best you can. And do not delay.
Of those lost pets who are found, most are found
within a 2-mile radius of the place they were lost, so
owners should be sure to blanket this target area with
attention-getting posters.
* Post flyers where pet owners go -- pet stores,
vets, groomers, grocery stores (including pet food
aisles), libraries...and post them at schools too.
Children and car-pooling parents often have
opportunities to see dogs running loose.
* Also give flyers to mail carriers, delivery
drivers, meter readers and local police officers.
These people may spot your pet.
* Another effective technique is to mail out
postcards, especially to the areas you cannot cover in
person with your posters.
* Call local radio stations -- some will help by
making an announcement about the lost pet.
* Place lost pet ads in your local and daily
newspapers. People who find pets sometimes look at
the lost and found ads. Also, check the classifieds
for Found Pet ads from individuals and animal control
departments.
* Check your local shelters and animal control
departments at least every other day after you
initially alert them. Due to their changes in staff
shifts and hectic environments, it is likely that your
initial report may get lost in the shuffle.
* Take advantage of lost pet posting sites on the
Internet, including:
Pets911
Missing Pet Network
Hugs for Homeless Animals
Flealess Market Lost Pets International
Petfinder
Montgomery County (MD) SPCA Lost and Found service
Lost Pet Online Resources
"The way a pet is found is by leveraging yourself
through the eyes and ears of other people," explains
real-life pet detective John Keane, founder of
Sherlock Bones, a pet-finding service headquartered in
Walnut Creek, California. "Successful pet finding is
advertising." (Quotes from "A Missing Pet Can Be
Found" by Maryann Mott).
For more information on Tag Day, contact the American
Humane Association at 800-227-4645 or visit
http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ev_public_tagday
Also see past Dog Tips about collars and tags,
microchipping and tattooing on the PAW website at
PAW Pet Tips.
To stop escapes, see
For more Dog Tips and other information about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at: www.paw-rescue.org
Stamp Reminder: Please use the "Spay-Neuter Pets"
U.S. Postage Stamps.
To be added or removed from this e-mail list, contact
Robin at Tierneydog@yahoo.com
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
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| Last Updated: July 16, 2009 (LET) | PawSupport | |