How To Protect Your Pets NOW

Written by the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists

How to Make Searching For a Missing Pet Easier

Everyone who has had a lost or missing pet knows the heartache associated with that absence. The sad fact is that over 90% of pets without proper identification are never reunited with their family. So, we need to make sure that we do everything possible to make sure that our pets don’t stray or get lost, but if that happens, then they have the best chance possible of returning home.

Here is some important information about missing pets:

• Pet ID Tags: A lost or missing pet is a real heartache. Provide each dog and cat with a colorful plastic ID tag that is light-weight, and long wearing.
• Microchips: Microchips are the size of a grain of rice, and injected under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. Each microchip contains a unique number and is registered into companion
• animal recovery programs in the United States. The microchip number is read with a special electronic scanner – vets and pounds have these scanners, and can read the chip details. The registry is then contacted, and the owner of the lost pet is contacted.
• De-sex your pet: If you do not intend breeding your dog or cat, then they should be desexed. Both male and females. De-sexed dogs and cats live longer healthier and happier lives, and are much less inclined to stray or wander off.
• Keep your address details up to date: Make sure that your pet is micro-chipped, and that you keep your address details up to date with your veterinarian.
• Pets safe and secure: Good secure fences, gates and yards are essential for family pets. Make sure that your fences are in good condition, with self-closing gates. Train your children to be careful so the pets do not follow them. Building renovations can be a very hazardous time, with pets wandering off to escape the noise and turmoil.
• Inside at night: Do not allow pets to stay out after dusk. Feed them every evening, and then make sure they stay inside from then on. This will also reduce the chances of your pet being involved in an accident, or being attacked by another animal.

What to do if your pet goes missing…

• Action is important: The single most important thing in finding a missing pet is to act promptly, and not to give up too quickly.
• Tell the neighbors: Prepare a number of copies of your missing pet flyer, with a detailed description, and with a photo if possible. Be security conscious – don’t include your name and address on the flyer, just your phone numbers. Have a companion when you walk the neighborhood.  Don’t walk after dark alone. Offer a reward, but do not specify how much. If asked what the reward is, reply, “we will discuss that when we find our pet – if it is a child who finds our pet, we will discuss with their parents what is appropriate.” Canvass your neighborhood, calling your pet’s name. Knock on neighbors’ doors, and ask them if they have seen your pet. Give them a flyer. If they are not home, slide a flyer under the front door where it will be seen on their return. Tape a flyer on every post and pole you can find. You will find that the entire neighborhood will join in and help. And when you do find your pet, remember to stop by and let people know, and thank them, with a found flyer to replace your lost pet flyer.
• Hiding places: Pets often go missing very close to home. Check under the house, inside a car (on the engine is a good place to find a cat), and in the garage. If you have a crawl space under your house, be sure to look there. Search garages etc., for a cat that has been curious and gone off exploring. Also ask your neighbors to check their garages.
• Food: Prepare a favorite meal in the usual feeding place. Ensure that the doors are open so the pet can return – this is especially important for cats that can wander off and go to sleep in a secluded place.
• Contacts List: You should make a list and contact the following with your pet and contact details. Ring them each day for any news. Make your contact list quite wide, not just your immediate vicinity.

• Local veterinary hospitals and clinics
• Pounds
• Councils
• Animal Welfare organizations
• Schools – ask for an announcement in class assembly

• Advertise: Take out a missing pet ad in your local papers. Start with a photo of your pet (make sure you keep up to date photos of your pets), with the offer of a reward. Run this ad for at least 3 weeks, and then if your pet is still missing, run an ad in the lost and found section for another 6 months. Make sure you read the lost and found sections in each edition of every newspaper.

If there is the slightest chance that your pet has been found, you must make a visit to personally see for yourself as soon as possible.