HOW TO FIND A MISSING PET

Because we are always focused on dogs in our family, we notice dogs that seem to be running loose. You can easily spot the dog that is confident and enjoying a run in the neighborhood. Although, that is very dangerous and totally irresponsible that is not the dog that we are talking about. The dog that is running, hot and wild-eyed is a dog in big trouble. Oftentimes, that dog will cross busy streets, narrowly escaping cars and trucks with no idea how to get back home.

Cats that are allowed to roam free will sometimes not return home. Who knows where they might be? Sometimes they get trapped in garages that they are visiting when the owner comes home and locks up for the night. Other times they are frightened and hiding in silence.

We highly recommend getting a microchip inserted into your pet. Then, register your pet and keep your contact information current. Shelters scan every pet brought to their facilities. Contact your veterinarian for this easy and inexpensive procedure. Dogs and even cats that wear collars can lose them and this additional level of ID offers you a better chance of getting back your faithful companion.

Here are some good suggestions for finding a lost pet:

Search your property – An indoor cat that escapes might be very close by. Start looking around the escape point and in the nearby bushes. Call the pet’s name or use a squeaky toy, electric can opener noise or even shake their pet food bowl that’s filled with dry food.

Canvas the Neighborhood – For dogs, go door-to-door asking neighbors if they’ve seen your dog and then trace the progress and focus your attention in following the trail. For cats, ask permission to search yards in a five-house radius. Check carefully in what might be hiding places, with a flashlight.

Update your voicemail – Make sure your callers hear a detailed message about your pet’s situation. Leave your cell-phone number for a faster contact.

Make Posters – Write “Reward” on top in large, black letters and lost dog/cat at the bottom with a picture of your pet. Make it easy to contact you. Post the signs wherever you can. For sure, include major intersections in a one-mile radius of your home.

Place an Ad – Take out ads, immediately in local newspapers. Post listings online with local rescue groups and at shelter Web sites.

Check the Shelters in your area – It is imperative to check and check again, for a pet that might be yours.

Know your community policy on where to report or check for a lost pet – We found and rescued an old, collared with no tags, one-eyed dog that was loose one rainy night, heading for a 6-lane highway. She spent the night with us and we called the local police department the next morning. The owner had left his information and we were able to reunite the happy pair within a few hours.

You can also check out the website of a former pet detective: www.lostapet.org.

Keep your pets safe and be responsible in making sure they can return home.