31  LOST PETS – TIPS TO PREVENT LOSING YOUR PETS AND HOW TO SEARCH FOR THEM IF YOU DO

What would you do if you couldn’t find Rex?  You step outside and call, but Rex doesn’t come.  You step around the corner of the house and call again, yet no Rex.  A little more frantic, you walk out to the edge of the driveway, calling, whistling, clapping, promising a cookie if he’ll just come now.  You jump in the car and begin your search, but you have no luck.  What now?

Lost pets are all too common.  There is no time to spare once you realize your dog or cat has wandered away.  A search of the internet brings many sites with many tips and I have compiled a list of what I consider to be the top ten ideas found repeatedly on these websites.

TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR LOST PET

1.        Look in the house first.  Check behind furniture and appliances, inside closets and unused rooms.  If there are detached buildings, be sure to check inside of them as well.  Don’t forget basements, crawlspaces, attics, in cars, and under hoods.

2.       Check with the shelter and animal control.  You may need to go down to the office to visually ID your pet. 

3.       Check with your neighbors and the neighborhood kids.  They may have seen your pet on the move.  Enlist them all in your search.  A small reward will often encourage children to help.

4.       Make a flyer with a picture of your lost pet.  Post in pet supply stores, groomer and vet offices, take copies to the shelter and animal control.  Hand out to crews which may work outside such as road, cable, electricity, and phone crews.

5.       Take copies of your flyer to animal welfare and rescue groups.  Many people will not take a found dog to a shelter for fear it will be euthanized.

6.       Check the lost and found ads in the paper.  Be sure to place a lost ad as well. Some radio stations will announce the search for a missing pet.

7.       If you are on any computer list serves, post there and ask friends to post to their groups as well.

8.       Beware of scammers.  Withhold a few vital pieces of information about your pet that only someone who really has your pet will see.  Never put your name or address on flyers, only your phone number.  Never search alone.  Take friends and, if you have other family pets, take them with you, too.

9.       Be sure to leave gates open and food out should your pet decide to return while you are gone.

1     Pets can travel fast and far.  Cover as much territory as possible in as many directions as you can. 

I hope you never experience the heartache of losing a pet and, if you do, the pet is returned to you alive and healthy.  Any other outcome can haunt you for a long time.  Taking steps to avoid losing your pet can help prevent the heartache and sense of guilt that may result. 

PREVENT LOST PETS

1.       Have your pet microchipped or tattooed.  Place an ID tag on the pet’s collar with your phone number, including area code.

2.       Check fences, windows, and doors frequently to be sure all are in good condition and close properly.

3.       Teach basic skills such as recall, sit, and stay.  Boundary training takes time, but can be done.

4.       Be sure the pet always wears its current rabies tag.

5.       Keep current pictures of your pets should you need to make a flyer.

6.       Spay/neuter your pet.  Fixed pets are less likely to roam.

7.       Animals that are small enough to be carried should be transported in a carrier. Dogs should be secured in a hard crate or with a special pet seatbelt when traveling in cars.

8.       Be sure your pet’s collar fits well and cannot slip over it’s head.  Periodically check to be sure the buckle is still in good condition.

9.       Always keep pets on lead when outside in an unfenced area.

1    Make sure only people who know and are physically capable of handling your pet do so.

      If you find a dog or cat, please do not assume that the animal does not have a loving home somewhere.  Accidents can happen to anyone.  Take the time to check with the shelter, place “Found” flyers in visible and heavily traveled areas and vet offices, take out an ad in the “Found” section of the classified ads.  Be sure to withhold some information about the found pet that only the true owner will know.  Ask friends and relatives to tell their friends about the pet.  There are several websites dedicated to listing lost and found pets, you may wish to check out one of these sites.  Remember, pets can travel quite some distance, especially when frightened.

      Jan Casey is a reward-based trainer and owns Smiles and Wags Pet Services in Cookeville, TN.  You can email her at jan@smilesandwags.com .