There are few things more heartbreaking for dog and cat owners than when their beloved pet goes missing. Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to both prevent your pet from getting lost…and to find a pet that has gone missing. The experts at Found Animals have compiled an invaluable guide to help pet owners ensure that their fur kids don’t get lost forever.   Here’s a quick rundown…check out their website for the full article HERE.

Prevention

• Spay and neuter your dogs and cats to reduce their desire to wander off.
• Make sure your pet has an ID tag with up-to-date contact information securely attached to her collar.
• Microchip your pet and make sure your contact information is always up-to-date with the registry service.
• Take plenty of good-quality pictures showing your pet’s face, markings, etc.
• Survey your house and yard to make sure it’s escape-proof (window screens, fencing, etc.).

When Your Pet Goes Missing

• Call your microchip registry to tell them your pet is lost and make sure their information is current.
• Tell your friends on social media that your pet is missing.
• Start searching the neighborhood. Bring along favorite treats or toys.

Continuing the Search

• File a lost pet report with local animal shelters and humane societies.
• Make and post flyers of your lost pet, including a good picture, big font, and your contact information.
• Post lost pet notices online, such as on Craigslist, and in the local newspaper.
• Do a regular in-person search of all nearby shelters, and bring some flyers with you.
• Don’t give up! Microchipped dogs are 2.4 times more likely to be reunited with their families than non-microchipped ones. Microchipped cats are reunited with their families 21.4 times more often than non-microchipped kitties!

Lost cat flyer: Lost cat Hackney London N16 by David Holt; Lost dog flyer: Roscoe Come Home by Mark Turnauckas.