Finding Lost Pet Checklist
The Next 24 Hours
Check all local and surrounding shelters, both public and private, at least every other day
1. Your pet may have traveled or taken into an adjacent animal control jurisdiction.
2. Confirm with the shelter what their minimum holding period is.
3. Make sure you physically go to the shelter and fill out a Lost report with your flyer
4. Be sure to check the “Deceased” and “Found” books also
Put up large, colorful posters in key spots throughout neighborhood
1. These catch the attention of people driving back and forth in the area.
2. These are different than the flyers you hand out to people
Notify your pet’s tattoo and/or microchip registry
1. Make sure your contact information is up to date.
2. Call these companies directly. Most are open 24 hours a day for receive calls.
Advertising
1. Craigslist: Both Pets and Lost/Found sections.
a. In order to put in two ads, just change the words around so it is not a duplicate.
2. Place an ad in local neighborhood newspapers. Also check Found ads.
3. Look at automated phone message services:
4. Look at post card mailing services: www.Petharbor.com
5. Use your car: post the flyer in a sheet protector on the back or use colored car chalk.
6. Place volunteers at key intersections holding large Lost signs and wearing “sandwich boards.”
Check all flea markets and outdoor centers
1. Confirm with the organizers whether animals are allowed to be sold inside the market.
2. If animals are not allowed to be sold inside, ask if they are allowed to be sold outside the gates.
3. Also, it needs to be determined if these rules are enforced or not.
a. Check by walking around the market and see if animals are actually being sold.
4. Post flyers for your missing pet outside all the gates of the market in case the pet is being sold beyond the view of the management.
Change your voicemail to say your pet is missing
1. Make sure the voicemail states clearly that your pet is missing so people know they have correct phone number.
2. Ask people to leave their name and phone number so you can call them back.
3. Ask people to leave specific information like where and when did they see your pet and if they attempted to catch them or not.
Check websites
1. See if your shelter list their found animals.
a. Some shelters list their found animals online or voicemail.
a. Sign up for automated emails for animals matching your pet’s description
b. Check the shelters on their list for their Found animals
a. Find the search engine on the left side of Home page
b. Put in “Dog” or “Cat” in the search engine and then your zip code
c. This will bring up all rescue groups: public and private in your area
d. Go to the hyperlink on the far right side and click to get to their main site
e. Send them your pet’s flyer in case your pet shows up at their group.
4. Craigslist
a. Check both Pets and Lost/Found sections for ads placed by others who may have seen or picked up your pet.
Using an Animal Communicator to help find a lost pet
1. My recommendation is Marta Williams ( www.martawilliams.com)
If your pet is spotted and won’t come to anybody
1. Try a feeding station. Multiple bowls of food are set out to attract your pet to the area.
2. Set up humane box trap with yummy food.
a. These can be rented from your local shelter, purchased from home store, or rented from an equipment rental store.
3. Walk the area laying your scent with your clothing, starting and ending at your home or a trap.
4. Leave their bedding or your clothing in an area to attract them.
No comments:
Post a Comment