Five Ways to Recover a Lost Pet

Pets get lost. It just happens. Precautions can be taken to prevent escapes and wondering but sometimes it still happens. What do we do when a pet does become lost? Here we will discuss five of the many ways to recover a lost pet.

1. Identification - This is one thing that goes without saying. If your pet has some form of ID, he is more likely to be returned than one that does not. Microchipping is one way to permanently identify a dog, cat, bird or other pet. Each pet is given an ID number that can be scanned by most shelters and veterinary clinics across the country to return them to home. Collars with ID on them in the form of an updated and clearly legible tag are one of the cheapest and simplest ways to ensure that the pet is returned to home. A collar without ID does little for recovering a lost pet. All that does is tell the one who finds the pet that it had a home; not where or with whom.

2. Phone Calls - Phone calls are an important tool when searching for a lost pet. Call every veterinary hospital in the area and even some outside of your area. Ask them if they've heard reports of a missing pet of yours description. If not, give them the description incase someone presents the pet in the near future. Animal shelters should be notified as well. Even pet stores in the area should be called as many of them will take pets off the street from customers. The "dog catcher" should also be contacted, even if a dog isn't the kind of pet you are missing. They often pick up others as well.

Call family, friends and neighbors so they can be on the watch for the pet and report any sightings.

The mistake many people make is not following up. For example, let's say you've lost your dog. You called everyone you know including the animal shelter. No reports have been made so you wait for someone to call you assuming that if they see the dog they'll report it. Later in the week, your dog is presented to the local shelter. The folks at the shelter see a lot of dogs so the description match went unnoticed. This is why repeat calls should be made. Keep calling the shelters every day to make sure your pet hasn't been brought in between calls.