Lost or Found DogsLosing a pet is a traumatizing experience for both the pet and their owners. Nearly 11 million dogs and cats are reported missing each year. Of these 11 million, only 17% of these lost dogs and 3% of these lost cats become reunited with their families. Following the correct protocol and being very proactive is what increases happy reunions. If you've lost a pet, take action immediately!
1. COUNTY AND CITY ANIMAL SHELTERS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: Go to your local shelter and fill out a LOST or a FOUND pet report! Animal Shelters are flooded with new pets every day, so don't just rely on the staff to identify pets turned in — go to the shelters and check the kennels yourself. And ask to see all kennels. Sometimes they put animals in other rooms depending on the situation (i.e. injured or sick). Even if your pet is micro-chipped you still need to check at the shelter, as the chips don't always get picked up when scanned. Be sure to check the deceased log. Hopefully your pet will not be listed, but if it is, at least you will know what happened to your loved one. View pets turned into some of the major local shelters at PET HARBOR and file a lost or found PET REPORT there too. You can submit it online and it's FREE. When you search for your pet on www.Petharbor.com, search by gender, not by breed. AND, look through ALL the shelters. You'd be surprised how often well-intending people take in lost pets and happen to live or transport them out of your city/county. Pet Harbor posts lost animals that are in shelter kennels and animals people are taking care of in their homes 2. MICROCHIP NOTIFICATION If your pet is MICRO-CHIPPED, notify the company immediately. Many companies will send out a LOST PET alert via an email blast and will provide you FREE POSTERS for you to distribute. 3. CRAIGSLIST ADS When posting an ad for a LOST or FOUND pet on Craigslist, please POST PHOTOS! Describe your lost animal with as much detail as possible, including:
Also include specific street names and neighborhoods the animal was last seen/our found in and around. Update your Craigslist Post every day so it doesn't become buried under new posts. Check Craigslist's 'Pets' and 'Lost & Found' Sections often, AND make sure to check other Craigslist locations near you. 4. FLIERS HANG lots of FLIERS with your pet's picture and information in the area he/she went missing. Someone may have picked your pet up and is unaware of Craigslist. Many people will not report a found pet to ANIMAL CONTROL because they are afraid the animal will be euthanized. Distribute FLIERS in AT LEAST A 10 MILE RADIUS, if not more. Dogs may be walking many miles a day if they are lost. Don't just focus on the neighborhood they disappeared from. Fliers, fliers, everywhere! Busy intersections, Parks, Pet Food Stores, Veterinary Offices, Schools, Churches, Open Space Trail Staging Areas, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, etc. You want as many people as possible to see a photo and info about your Lost Pet! 5. ADDITIONAL ACTION STEPS
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