Many of us have lost a pet at one time or another, and we know the anguish and heartbreak we feel. Do you know what to do if your pet disappears?
LISTED BELOW ARE SEVERAL IDEAS TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR PET IF HE/SHE BECOMES LOST:
--Act fast!! Don't wait days hoping he will just come home. The longer you wait, the further away he could wander, or he could be hurt and in need of medical attention. Many animal shelters only wait about four days before euthanizing injured pets or placing healthy ones up for adoption.
--Thoroughly search the area. Call your pet, and check any places they could have become trapped, such as basements, garages, sheds, vehicles, etc. Find a good photograph of your pet and ask all neighbors and passer-bys if they've seen him.
--If your pet is capable of covering a lot of distance, get in your car or on a bicycle and begin looking and calling right away. Get help from family and neighbors if possible. Make sure someone is home to answer the phone. If someone finds your pet, they will call the number on his pet tag or simply bring him home.
--If your pet remains lost, check every animal shelter in the area every day. Put up "lost" signs in your neighborhood and in local post offices, libraries, grocery stores, pet stores, and vets. Inform your vet and groomer that your pet is lost in case someone brings him in. Immediately place ads in local newspapers. Consider offering a reward, in case someone may have stolen or kept your pet as a "stray."
--Use the radio. Many radio stations broadcast lost pet information for free. Be sure to call all your local radio stations. Give them very detailed information on where the pet was lost, its description, and how to contact you.
HOPEFULLY, YOUR FAST ACTIONS WILL LEAD TO THE SAFE RETURN OF YOUR PET. IF YOUR PET IS PROPERLY IDENTIFIED WITH A PET TAG, FINDING YOUR PET SHOULD BE MUCH QUICKER. REMEMBER, 95% OF LOST PETS FOUND WITH A PET TAG DO GET HOME! PROTECT YOUR PET FROM GETTING LOST, STOLEN, OR HURT WITH A PET TAG