Finding Lost Pets – What To Do

Some Tips On What To Do

A lost pet can be one of the most traumatic events you will ever experience in your life.  The good news is that nowadays finding lost pets has never been easier.  With advances in technology such as social media and microchips, and organised systems in place, many lost pets don’t stay missing for long.

CREATE A LISTING ON WHERE PETS ARE FOUND

Social Media is the most effective way to get the word out beyond your immediate contacts. Get the word out there by creating a listing on Where Pets Are Found and sharing it.  Create a title for your listing that is concise and clear as it will pre-populate Social Media shares from your pet’s page.  Make sure you add as much detail as you can in the body of the ad and include a recent photo of your pet showing unique features that will help them be recognised.  Once the listing is on the site share it to your social media networks; copy the listing URL and email it to your friends, family and colleagues and ask them to share it on all their social media networks.  Put simply, the more people that see the listing and know that your pet is lost, the greater the chance that someone that has seen your pet will contact you.  Don’t waste time with websites that have no community generating traffic to and from their site.  Get your networks sharing so you can get out there searching…

GET OUT THERE AND LOOK

Create a flyer of your pet and go doorknocking and letterboxing.  Firstly ask your neighbours, then search three blocks in each direction from where your pet was last seen.  Perhaps go for a drive and scope the neighbourhood out as well.  Look in garages, cupboards, under buildings/bushes and any other places you think your pet could be trapped.  Cats, particularly, are notorious for exploring new places and unknowingly being shut in.  In such instances, it is often a good idea to wait until external noise levels allay and then listen for any signs of your pet.  Insist on personal access to back yards, outbuildings and under decks/buildings… your pet might not respond to a stranger.

COUNCIL, VETS, POUNDS & PET ORGANISATIONS

If you still cannot find your pet, ring your local council.  A possibility is that the local ranger picked it up.  When searching for lost pets, local veterinarians, the local council, pounds and the RSPCA/ASPCA could be your best ports of call.  Don’t just enquire about your missing pet (using the microchip number and description); but also leave this information along with your contact details and the url of your Where Pets Are Found listing.

REGISTER AND MICROCHIPPING

You have hopefully registered your animals with a national or state pet registry.  This is a database where your pet’s microchip number and your contact details are stored.  Contact them to mark your pet as Lost.  Do not put your pet’s microchip details on any public websites or social media, it is your unique proof of ownership should someone have your pet and want to dispute ownership. (Despite microchipping, it is still a good idea to attach a name tag to your pet’s collar.  This should clearly display your current contact details.)

AND REMEMBER

Finding lost pets can be a very emotionally charged experience.  Try and keep your cool. Consider all options and rule out nothing.  Spread the word.  Chase down every lead.  Lost pets living rough very quickly start to look different from the relaxed pet you started searching for.
Follow these suggestions and a reunion with your best friend should be swift and trouble-free.