What to Do If Your Pet Is Missing

What to do if your pet is missing

Courtesy of Hudson Valley Pets Lost & Found

http://lostfoundpets.com/

First & foremost, remember to stay calm and don't give up hope.

1. Contact and/or visit daily:

·  Local Humane Shelters

·  Animal Emergency Clinics

·  Animal Control facilities

·  Animal Welfare agencies

·  Local veterinarians

Contact them immediately as some facilities euthanize within 5 days.

2. Search

·  Start the search immediately.

·  Call delivery people such as FedEx, UPS, the mail carrier and anyone who works outside such as landscapers and pool cleaners.

·  Don't hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, neighbors, etc.

·  Distribute pictures of animal and detailed description.

·  Remember, children on bikes can cover a large area.

·  Cell phones will help to communicate with others in search.

·  Try different times of day or night. Cats are more active early morning and at night. Dogs may be active anytime and may tend to run farther. Dogs may burrow into self made dens and cats may climb trees.

·  Do not chase and never yell at the animal! Establish contact by calling and whistling. Never call your pet across a busy road. Stay calm. Attempt to stop or slow traffic keeping your own safety in mind.

·  Carry a flashlight and leash and collar with you.

·  Extend the search to surrounding areas. Drive through neighborhoods while calmly calling.

·  Bring canned pet food warmed in microwave to entice pet. The warming intensifies the aroma.

·  Place Hav-a-Hart traps in areas where your pet may have been spotted or regularly visits. Dcykman's Animal Control may be able to assist you in the trapping of your pet. Call them for information at 1-800-696-7803. They serve Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and New York City and charge a fee.

3. Search far and wide

Do not underestimate how far an animal can travel in a short period of time. Your pet's appearance may change through weight loss or matted and dirty coat. Also, someone else's interpretation of your description may vary greatly. Collars can be broken off and your pet may no longer be wearing tags. Everyone who knows the animal should help visit these places in person, repeatedly.

4. Do not call 911

·  Call Local police, State Troopers, County Sheriffs.

·  DO NOT CALL 911 to report your missing pet.

5. Post Flyers

Prepare flyers with photo and detailed description and when and where animal was lost. (Free flyers available at www.lostpetfoundpet.com under “Free Stuff”) After getting permission, post them at vet's offices, animal hospitals, feed stores, kennels, groomers, pet shops, community bulletin boards, shopping centers, places of worship, schools, grocery stores, gas stations, post offices, laundromats, tree & telephone poles in highly trafficked areas.

6. Place ads

·  Place ads in newspapers (both local and slightly outside the area.

·  Place the information on the Internet at lost and found sites such as this one, and others.

·  Contact us to post your lost pet on this site.

7. KEEP SEARCHING!

Many pets can disappear for months and still turn up. Once your pet is found, notify everyone of that fact and remove all flyers previously posted.