I know that losing a dog is one of the scariest and most upsetting things that can happen to you as a pet owner. I wanted to share this guest post today from Fetch! Pet Care so that you would know what to do if this would happen to you.
Nearly one in five lost pets goes missing after being scared by the sound of fireworks, thunderstorms or other loud noises, according to a survey by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And, while losing your pet can be a traumatic experience for both you and your pet, have hope as 93% of dogs and 75% of cats reported lost are returned safely to their homes according to another survey.
If you do lose your pet, here are 10 top tips to help reunite you with your furry friend as quickly as possible:
- Contact or visit your local shelters and animal control organizations. File a lost pet report with every shelter, dog pound and animal control office within a 60-mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible.
- Get the word out to all veterinarians in the area. Sometimes people pick up a stray and drive it to a distant clinic.
- Search your neighborhood. Walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Enlist friends, family and others to help you. Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached if your pet is found.
- Go door to door and speak with your neighbors. The more people know you have lost a pet, and that you are upset, worried and desperately trying to find your pet, the more people will call you if they see an animal in the woods or on the road, or in their backyard.
- Place posters and flyers throughout the neighborhood. Post notices at grocery stores, community centers, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, at pet supply stores, and other locations. Also, place advertisements in newspapers and with radio stations. Include your pet’s sex, age, weight, breed, color, and any special markings. To avoid scams, when describing your pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person who finds your pet to describe it.
- Post info about your pet on all pet recovery websites and services. Sites such as Craigslist.org, TheCenterForLostPets.com and FidoFinder.com allow you to broadcast your missing pet info quickly. National pet care providers can be hired to assist you in your search for your lost pet.
- Consider using a lost pet recovery service. There are now numerous lost pet alert services, such as FindToto.com, that will contact homes, veterinarians, shelters and animal control organizations for a reasonable fee.
- Place food and water outside your home. Your pet may eventually return to your home when they get hungry or thirsty. Consider placing the food in a rented or purchased humane pet trap to capture them.
- Tell everyone you see about your pet and ask them to keep their eyes open for her. The more people you alert about your missing pet, the greater the chance someone will recollect seeing your pet in their area.
- Don’t give up. Be aggressive in your search, get lots of help, get the word out right away – don’t wait a few hours “to see if she’ll come home on her own “– you need those early hours to put up posters and start your search.
Rebecca Swenor says
Awesome tips. For some it is like losing your child when you have a lost pet. It would be for me anyway. Thanks for sharing.
Dede says
Sometimes we forget to put the wireless collar on our dog; she totally knows when it’s safe to wander off. It worries me!! Thanks for the tips.
Melanie S. says
Lots of great tips. I don’t have any pets, but I can imagine how awful it would be to lose one.
Amber B says
Great tips I would search high and low to find my baby if any of them got lost. These are a great tools because when you are in panic mode I you are not thinking clearly.
Sam B. says
Excellent information! We’ve lost and found our dogs throughout the years…they were always runners. They usually ended up at the pound or a neighbors house…I’d defintely check these places first!
sharon martin says
It must be so devastating to loose a pet, I nearly lost our dogs a few weeks back as the garden gate had been left open, my heart just fell, all I could think about was how the boys would feel if I didn’t find them which luckily I did. Great info xx
JEFF TAYLOR says
Great advice! My niece’s dog ran away soon after they got her. The dog had all kinds of issues (had been abused and was distrustful and easily scared). They found her but she would only come to my niece- they had to pull her out of school! The dog is better now and hasn’t run away since though.
Stefany says
Oh geez! That reminds me of my dog Lucky (who has since passed away). I thought she was missing but she had managed to wedge herself behind the water heater. I was looking everywhere and drove all over looking for her. I was both irritated and relieved when she was found. LOL
Michele says
This is great information. I have been there-there is nothing more scary then for your furry baby to go missing-actually the cat was hiding in my apartment while I and my neighbors were out looking all over the neighborhood for him!
Cat says
My dog got lost for the first time two weeks ago and it was horrifying. My boyfriend said in six years he’s never seen me that upset. Fortunately she showed back up within 30 minutes, but keeping a cool head and following the steps that you outlined are important, especially when time is of the essence!
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Stefany says
Oh Cat! I am so glad your pup came back. I would have been a blubbering mess as well.
Laura says
This is great information , thank you !