Lost a Pet?

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By the time you are reading this article, most likely you have been looking for your lost pet for 24 hours or more.  You have walked then driven your neighborhood. You have lost a lot of sleep!  And hopefully, you have already notified your local shelter & microchip company if your pet is chipped.


Indoor only cats & dogs behave quite differently then outdoor only pets.  An un-neutered pet or a pet in heat will be more likely to run and will likely be a bit "edgier" when someone tries to catch them.  An indoor cat will instinctively go into a "hide" mode no matter how close they are to their home.


Do not limit your search to the immediate area.  Dogs can wander many miles.  Cats will look for a food source and stay around that source.  Sometimes, animals are picked up by a well meaning stranger & get lost again at the stranger's home.   Actually check in neighbor's sheds, garages, under houses, up trees & under bushes. And check any pools in the area.


If your pet is microchipped, call the chip company to report the pet as missing or stolen.  Verify that they have your correct contact info and correct info for alternate emergency contacts.  Some chip companies will send out flyers to area shelters & vets and will include a picture if you can get it to them. 


Create flyers and post them everywhere.  Try to include a picture as breed descriptions, size, etc. are often misleading. Give them to all your neighbors, the UPS delivery person, the mailman, the track pickup crew, etc.  Post in all the area stores--don't forget the pharmacies, dollar stores, gas stations, etc.--any place that gets a good deal of traffic.


Deliver flyers to all area shelters, rescues, vet offices, including emergency hospitals groomers, pet stores, etc. Include all area shelters, not just your local one. Visit shelters every day or every other day  to view animals that may have just come in.  Do NOT rely on the internet postings for that shelter.  Some shelters do not routinely post incoming strays.



Advertise your pet in local newspapers, internet postings, Facebook, etc.  Regularly check all those sites for new "Found" reports & call on any that are even a remote possibility (distance, breed, etc.)

Unfortunately, there are dangerous people who prey upon victims of lost pets. Don’t list your address or amount of reward on the flyers. Beware of money scams. Take a friend when posting flyers or responding to a call about your pet.

Organize documents to prove that a found pet is yours:  pictures, vet records.

Think of any identifying marks, habits, etc. that are unique for your pet.  Be prepared to discuss when/where you originally got your pet, what you feed it, where it sleeps, what its favorite toy is--any little thing that only an owner would know.

Call the police if you think your pet was stolen.  Ask your local shelter or rescue group to act as intermediary if you feel it would help in dealing with the finder.

Found a Pet?

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Don't be misled by the pet's physical condition.  Small dogs lose weight & get matted very quickly.  Females in heat can appear to have been "beaten up".  Cats can become "feral like" very soon after they find themselves lost. A very skinny dog might in fact be a well cared for inside dog who just couldn't take care of himself once he found himself outside and alone.


Understanding the animal's behavior can help you not only approach an animal but to narrow down the possibilities.  NEVER approach an animal who appears aggressive.  Sometimes the best you can do is "trap" it in your yard and immediately contact local Animal Control.  If you can safely give it some water while you're waiting, do so.


Immediately check with neighbors over a several block area; particularly those neighbors who walk their dogs in the neighborhood.  If you live near a major road, check across the road as well.  Sometimes pets find themselves stranded and are fearful about crossing back over a major road.


If you decide that you can safely house the animal temporarily, get it scanned for a microchip.  Any vet or shelter can do that free of charge. If the animal is chipped but the owner's contact info is not up to date, the chip company can tell you who/when they shipped the chip to.  If the animal is wearing a collar, check the inside of the collar for a name or phone. Contact FOAS for help for unregistered chips or locating owners whose contact info is out of date.


Deliver flyers to all area shelters, rescues, veterinarians (including emergency hospitals), groomers, pet stores, etc. Include all area shelters, not just your local one. "Found" reports can be mislaid so follow up with shelters frequently.


Advertise the animal in local newspapers, internet postings, Facebook, etc.    Regularly check all those sites for new "Lost" reports & call on any that are even a remote possibility (distance, breed, etc.)


It is possible someone will try to claim a dog that isn't theirs.  However, anyone who truly owns the pet you found will know things that only an owner would know.  If you have your own pet--think about the kinds of things only you know about that pet. .Ask for pictures, vet records, groomer bills, etc.  Ask questions about the pet--when/where did they get it? How old is it?  Does it answer to its name?  Where does it sleep?  What's its favorite toy?  Favorite food?

Do not be afraid to put picture in your flyer.  Breeds are often confusing, particularly w. cats.  An owner will recognize a picture in a flash but might miss a written description that does not seem to match their view of their pet. 

If you feel someone is threatening, contact the police.  If you are uncomfortable screening inquiries, ask your local shelter or rescue group to act as intermediary and screen calls.