How To Find A Lost Pet

Losing a pet is heart breaking but never knowing what has happened to the missing pet is worse. I've lost pets before and the one I never found is the one that haunts me. I remember my Dad and I walking up and down the neighborhood looking for Crayola (my cat), we never found her. She was about 17 years old and sickly, 15 years later I still wonder what happened to her.

Loving a pet will not prevent them from wandering away from home and getting lost. Dogs spot a rabbit or squirrel and the chase is on and we all know what curiosity did to the cat. Pets will get lost the key is to get really good at finding them. Here are the steps I've found that seem to get the best results:

1. First search your home and property really well. Cats find their way into the oddest and smallest of spaces. Check car engines, crawl spaces, attic spaces, the roof, the trees, behind and in every piece of furniture and major appliance you own. Don't forget your dog can get hung up in strange places too. Use a flashlight to check dark places like drain pipes and sewers.
2. Take the search to the neighborhood. Have a friend walk the neighborhood with you, you can each take one side of the road. Walk up and down the streets calling little Muffin's name. Shake a bowl of food or treats to help get it's attention. Stop and listen every so often for a response. Look under cars and in the trees. Check the sewers and drain pipes and sadly you must check the side of the road and ditches for your pets remains. When walking the neighborhood take a friend with you for emotional support but also for safety.
3. Make fliers. Fliers are the #1 way people find missing pets. The flier should include a photo of your pet (preferably color), a brief description, the date, and your telephone number. It is also a good idea to include the area the pet went missing. Offer a reward if you can, you don't need to include how much, the word REWARD will get people's attention. Fliers should not include your name and address, having this information on the fliers could put you at risk for other types of crimes.
4. Fliers should be handed out to all the neighbors. Go door to door with a friend and let all the neighbors know that your pet is missing. Try to cover about a 2 mile radius on foot. Next post fliers at all grocery stores and department stores in town also go to gas stations, feed stores, dollar stores, pet supply stores. If people shop their, post a flier.
5. Visit and post a flier at the local animal control and Humane Society. Personally visit both facilities and be nice. You want these guys on your side. If you make friends with the animal control officers they might call you when new dogs come in. Visit these facilities a minimum of every other day until your pet is found, many animal shelters euthanize every three days. Don't trust their breed description, many animal control workers won't know a Siberian Husky from a Malamute or a Boxer from an American Staffordshire Terrier. These workers provide a valuable service to the city and deserve our respect but most are not educated to recognize dog and cat breeds.
6. Visit and post fliers at all veterinary offices, not just the one you use. Many people will pick up a lost dog and take it to their vet's office even if it is across town. Visit all the offices and ask questions about where they would take a dog or cat that was brought in by a good Samaritan. Ask about any injured strays that they might have seen, also ask about any that might not have survived. What happens to these animals? Ask to be called if anyone brings in a lost pet.
7. Find the local animal rescues in town. Do they take pets out of the animal shelter? If so you'll want to make sure they don't have your pet. Animal control or the Humane Society and veterinary clinics will be able to give you information on the different animal rescues.
8. Call radio stations. Some stations will announce lost and found pets.
9. Post a lost and found ad in the local newspaper. Many papers provide this service at no charge for missing pets.
10. Check the Internet for websites that will post information about missing pets. Some to try include: pets 911 and petfinder.com and pets lost and found.

I know this sounds like a daunting task but it is the best way to get results. Start looking for missing pets immediately, don't wait a couple of days for the animal to find it's way home. City shelters can euthanize every three days, if you wait your lost pet might not have a chance to be found. Also your pet might be injured and not able to get home on its own.

Good luck in your search. Let me know if you have ideas that I did not include or if you want to post a missing pet report.

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