Using A Computer to Find Your Lost Pet

Using A Computer to Find Your Lost Pet

When looking for your pet, the biggest advantage you can give yourself and your pet is to make sure you use a computer to its fullest potential. Whether this is using a word processor to create your flyer, to maintaining your ad on Craigslist. 

See the blog post “Designing an Effective Lost Pet Flyer” on the mechanics of creating a flyer. There are several reasons why it is best to use a computer to create a flyer. First, it is easier, faster and less expensive to create a flyer through a printer than on a copier. Second, a computer generated flyer presents a more professional and authentic image. Third, type is easier to read that is predictable in upper and lower case, which makes the flyer easier to read. Compare this to a handwritten flyer which has inconsistent lettering. 

While I was an Administrative Assistant and doing a lot of flyers and sales marketing designs, I studied a lot about how to use white space and type to effectively get your message across. The use of upper and lower case letters and can easily change a message or tone and the specific type used can change the message. Type is divided into “Serif” or “Sans Serif.” “Sans” means “without” in Latin, and “Sarif” is “feet or hands,” San Serif font is used as titles and Serif is used as text. A type that is Sans Serif is blocky type like Helvetica, with no “hands or feet.” This type is best used for bold titles like “Lost Cat.” As a comparison, the “Serif” type has the “feet and hands” at the top and bottom of the type. An example of Serif type is Times Roman. This type is typically used for text in a paragraph since it is easier for the eyes to read and follow quickly. 

When posting ads, remember to use newspapers, both printed and online. Include a clear color if the rates are affordable. If not affordable, make the text super clear what the cat looks like with any distinguishing marks like white on feet, face or chest. 

When using Craigslist, keep the ad current by renewing the ad every day or as often as possible, and remember to use good, clear photos. Make sure the phone number used is open and watched 24 hours a day for any messages or calls. 

When creating ads, you can easily just repeat the same information that is on the flyer. There is no need to spend extra time rewriting everything when time is critical. Make the ads and the flyers all the same with the same photos, descriptions and brief information. 

When sending out flyers in emails, the flyer is attached in an electronic format and not a photocopy. This enables the flyer to get out very fast and far. Put on flyer “OK to forward” so that others knows this and don’t waste time asking. Some great places to send the flyers are vets, groomers, shelters.

When checking shelter websites like Petharbor.com, which list lost, found and adoptable dogs. Petfinder lists only adoptable animals. And then each individual shelter has their own website that lists found and adoptable animals.