Tips for Finding a Lost Pet
(412 Words)
It can be heartbreaking to lose a pet. For some, it is like losing a member of the family. Different strategies will give you the best chance of finding your pet.
According to the Humane Society, you should contact animal shelters as well as animal control agencies within your local area. They suggest a 60 mile radius. If you do not find your pet, you should call every day because you do not know when the pet might be picked up by an agency. Make sure to give an exact description of his or her physical characteristics as well as personality. Show a photograph if you can.
Conduct a careful search of the entire neighborhood, suggests the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Go with a photograph so that you can show people how your animal looks. Look at all of his or her favorite places as well as any good hiding spots in the neighborhood. Try to get as many people to help you look as possible to increase your chances of finding your pet.
Ask your neighbors if anyone has seen him or her. Give them your phone number so that they can contact you if they see the animal.
You should post up flyers. You never know who might spot your animal. You can place your flyers in trees and other locations in the neighborhood as well as in dog parks, local veterinarians, pet stores and popular nearby businesses. The flyers should contain an accurate description. You may be much more likely to get a response if you offer a reward.
The Internet is another tool that can help you find your lost pet. Post the information on social networking websites such as Facebook, especially if a lot of your neighbors are your friends. Some websites can specifically help you find your pet such as The Center for Lost Pets and Fido Finder. Some people even post lost pets on Craigslist.
Of course, there are things you can do to make finding your lost pet easier in advance. The best protection is to make sure that your animal has an ID tag. Some pet owners also put in chips so that their pet will be easily identified.
It is important to be persistent in your search. In many cases, people find lost pets days after the animal disappeared. Try as many of the above strategies as possible to increase your chances of a happy reunion.
Updated On: 12/24/2011 Published On: 12/24/2011