Tips On How To Look For Your Lost Pet
Helpful Tips
1. Think about your pet's personality
Every pet has a different type of personality and will react differently to being lost. For example, if your cat "buckles down" or hides when the vacuum comes out they are likely to do the same initially when in an unknown situation like being lost. If you have a dog that tends to greet every stranger happily, your dog is likely to be found by someone before getting too far away. However, if your dog is skittish and tends to run when scared he/she will travel a much farther distance than what you might expect. Understanding how your pet will react when in a stressful unknown situation will help you determine how to begin to approach your search.
2. Look close to home first!
By searching your own property and surrounding properties (get permission first) you can ensure your pet has not become trapped or injured. Be sure to look everywhere: Under decks, inside sheds, trailers or under cars, in swimming pools (even under the pool cover), and under heavy brush. Use a flashlight and be sure to use the usual "animal calls" you use on a regular basis (such as the animals name or the word you use for feeding time). For cats, using a can opener or shaking the pouch or container of a favourite treat may work.
Just because you can't find your pet near or around your home doesn't mean s/he isn't there. Generally, animals are within a three mile radius of their home when initially lost.
3. Distribute posters and fliers in your search area
When developing lost animal posters, use bright, fluorescent poster board or create a document on your computer that is a minimum size of 8.5 X 11 and have it printed at your local print/copy store (Kinko's for example). Use color and high quality paper.
At the top of the page write "REWARD" and at the bottom of the page write "LOST Dog/Cat" Be sure to use a large clear font such as Arial 90. In a smaller font (no smaller than 20) write important information such as:
- Breed - "Small Poodle", "Fluffy Cat / Short haired cat"
- Color - "Black with white feet and chest"
- Identification - Purple collar, Delta Dog Licence, Tattoo - ABH 123
- Your Contact Number
Include a picture of your pet that is similar to what they looked like when they disappeared and laminate it or make it water proof by putting it in a clear page cover; you can also use clear tape if affixing your poster/flier to a post.
Start placing your posters at all four corners of the intersections within a mile (10 blocks of your house) and expand outward after. The bright colors and large font will catch the eye of anyone passing by. As calls from sightings come in you should provide additional posters to the area the calls are coming from. Be sure to leave your posters up for as long as possible. Many pets are located weeks or even months later by someone who has seen the posters.
4. Check all shelters, veterinary hospitals & animal related services in your area.
Be sure to visit all of the animal shelters in your area regularly. Talk with the staff, provide pictures of your pet and view all the animals in the shelter. Check back every three days. Provide local veterinary hospitals or animal related businesses (such as doggy daycare's) with a copy of your poster. Be aware that people who find lost pets often will take the animal home or to another shelter in a different municipality/city. Be sure to contact all shelters in the lower mainland by at least delivering or emailing a poster of your pet. In addition, networking sites such as Craigslist, Kijiji or Petfinder are often utilized for computer focused individuals.
5. Be prepared to respond to sightings.
Be sure someone is available at all times to answer incoming calls from potential finders. If you have voice mail or an answering machine be sure to include information in your recording and give them a number where you can be immediately reached.
Go to every sighting even if it is 24 hours old. Do a complete search of the area as you did initially by your home. Cats for example can be seen moving from one place to another and then will hide again until they feel it is safe or that they have to move.
6. Do not give up
It can take weeks and even months to find a missing pet. Pets may appear to vanish but they are located more often than not if you are focused and persistent. There have even been cases of pets that have been missing for years and were reunited with their owner. Do not lose hope as this will reduce your chances of finding your pet.
For more information and tips on how to find a lost pet, visit our links page.
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