What to do If Your Pet Gets Lost
Losing your pet is a devastating event, but there is still hope! Cats and dogs in the past have been found months after being lost due to several different factors; we're going to discuss how best to get your furry friend back.
Microchip Your Pet
Microchipping your pet in advance is the first line of defense against them being lost. This microchip has a specialized number that is assigned to only you and your pet. Veterinarians and shelter staff are accustomed to scanning for chips when they first get a pet into their services. This chip will go off and provide your information, getting your pet back to you safely.
Notify Shelters and Animal Control
The first thing you need to do is notify shelters and any animal control officers in the area. Call pounds and local shelters as quickly as possible to let them know your pet is missing. Give them a complete description and if they have a microchip, give them the chip number so they may identify your pet. By letting them know your pet is lost, you ensure that if they are found by local services, they can hold your pet for you to come and get them.
Send Out Postcards To Neighbors
If you can send postcards to the nearest thousand addresses to yours, the probability that you'll find your pet dramatically increases. There are services that can do this for you for a fee. This option ensures that your pet's face will be plastered throughout your neighborhood, letting your neighbors know they are lost and how to contact you should they find your pet. You can also put up fliers, but the postcard option gets more eyes on your pet's face and information faster.
Losing a pet is a devastating event, but by notifying your local services, microchipping them in advance, and sending out notices to your neighbors, you significantly increase the chance of seeing your pet again. If you have more questions about what you should do if your pet gets lost, feel free to ask about them at your next appointment!