Effective Game Plan to Reunite Lost Pets with Their Families

In Animal Health, Dog Behavior, dog walker, Dogs, Pet Safety, Summer pet safety, Uncategorized by Cara Armour

Lost Pets

In my neighborhood, every day it seems that a person reports that their dog or cat is missing. I spot the new “lost dog” poster on my leashed walks with my dogs, Kona and Emma. I view pleas from pet parents posted on Next Door and other apps.

Even the most conscientious pet parent may experience a lost pet. It is an awful feeling to come home to find your pet missing. Fortunately, we live in an age of apps and pet lovers. Let’s cover the basics:

Make sure all your pets sport microchips that contain information to contact you and your veterinarian. Microchips that are about the size of a grain of rice are often implanted between a pet’s shoulder blades.  Animal shelters, local rescue groups and veterinary clinics are equipped with handheld wand devices that can scan and reach out to the dog’s owner. Unfortunately, it is estimated that more than 30 percent of pets do not have microchips, or their people fail to update the chip information when they move. 

Let’s Sport Some ID

Your pets should also wear collars with identification tags. My two dogs and three cats wear collars with their names and my cell phone embroidered on the collars for easy visibility. 

Next, report your missing pet to your local animal control and animal shelter centers.  You can report online with the info and include photos of your pet. 

Post about your lost pet on neighborhood online sites, such as Next Door. Also scan those sites because your neighbors may post a message about a found dog – who may belong to you. It is believed that most lost dogs and cats are found within a one-mile radius of their homes. 

Go old school and high tech at the same time. You can print out LOST PET posters to place on telephone poles and in local businesses (with their permission). Always include a photo or two of your pet, your name, your cell number. You can also create missing pet flyers using apps for iPhones and Android as well. 

You Found a Lost Dog – Now What?

Now, let’s flip this situation. What is your action plan is you come across a dog who clearly appears to be lost. Ask yourself:

  • Do you know how to safely handle a dog you do not know to avoid being bit?  
  • Do you keep a spare leash in your car as well as pet treats and a water bowl to entice the dog to come to you?
  • Can you secure the dog in your vehicle so that you can safely drive to your home or to the nearest veterinary clinic or animal shelter to scan the dog for any signs of a microchip identification chip?
  • Do you have a room in your home or a secure fenced area in your yard to keep this dog safe while you try to find his owner?
  • Do you have other pets in your home who may be agitated seeing this newcomer?
  • Do you even know how to report a lost dog?

 

Please always make your safety a top priority. Be aware that you can file a found pet report online to your local shelter and animal control agency. Whatever action that you feel most comfortable doing, realize that your efforts may just help reunite a pet with their grateful family.  

Lost-Found Pet Resources

There are several companies in the business of reuniting missing pets with websites and apps. Here is a sample of these sites: 

 

Prepare for July 4’s Impact on Pets

Of all the major holidays, I’m betting dogs and cats least love July 4th. Booming fireworks and other loud noises during this holiday unleash panic in pets, especially those prone to noise phobia. 

Pet escapes spike between July 4 to July 6, according to animal control officers across the country.  They estimate the reports of lost pets during that three-day span are 30- to 60-percent higher than any other time of the year. 

Tip #1: Know your pet’s emotional state. If your dog or cat is anxious, trembles at loud noises, please work with your veterinarian now before July 4 holiday. Your pet may benefit by a medication called dexmedetomidine (Sileo) that is specifically med to temper a pet’s fight-or-flight hormone norepinephrine. 

Tip #2.  Create a safe haven plan for your pets.  Before you head out the door to celebrate a fireworks show, make sure our pets are in a secure room with the television on or a white-noise machine. Make sure your pets have a comfy pet bed or blankets, and a favorite toy or two plus clean water. Or, if you have conditioned your dog that crates are safe havens, have your dog stay in the crate. Consider installing a webcam that you can view from your cell phone to keep tabs on how your pets are doing. 

Learn More

You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting http://www.propethero.com. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.