Losing a pet can be distressing, but staying calm and acting swiftly to return them home safely will save your family considerable grief. Here are some helpful tips to ensure their return:
Check-in with neighbors and delivery drivers; they often have good eyesight and may know where it has taken shelter.
1. Check with Your Veterinarian
Your veterinarian should be the first place you visit if you think you’ve lost a pet, as they might have records on them and can contact their owners if they come across your animal. Furthermore, they can assist by spreading the word about the lost animal through flyers.
If you find a lost pet, either call the police department and have them collect it or bring it directly to the animal shelter for return home. Covers can also scan pets for microchips, so if one is present, they can instantly contact their owner and return the animal home safely.
When your pet has been found, post it online using Facebook, Nextdoor, or Twitter and distribute fliers throughout your neighborhood and the area where he or she was lost. Be sure to include a clear photo with contact information for you – such as phone number. Also, consider contacting surrounding towns or animal control/rescue groups if any knowledge can be gained about your animal.
If your pet doesn’t wear a collar, visit your veterinarian to get it microchipped as soon as possible. Once it has been implanted with one, update its microchip information immediately so its owner can be reached easily.
Your lost pet should also be registered on a national site like Petco Love Lost and regularly reviewed, making sure to add an up-to-date photo and any changes as your pet is found. Keep in mind that it may be hard to track down small or furry animals; luckily, there are many volunteers in the community willing to lend assistance in the search.
2. Contact Your Local Police Department
If you discover a lost pet, contact your local police department, as this will increase the chance of reuniting it with its owner. In addition to calling the police, contact area shelters, and veterinary offices; check lost and found pet websites; post “found” flyers featuring photos of your animal along with distinctive information such as color or markings in high-traffic areas near where they went missing; as well as “missing flyers.”
At their most recent meeting in Pearl River, the Rockland County Missing Pet Volunteer Search Team shared stories of happy reunions and complex cases involving missing pets. Members came from various professions and careers, and their camaraderie was apparent through easy conversation.
Rusnock noted that her group doesn’t accept donations; rather they encourage people to “pay it forward” by helping other animals in need. Rusnock has pointed out that their efforts have resulted in many pets being found months, if not years, later!
Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery collaborates with other community organizations to spread awareness of lost pets. Their volunteers canvass, knock on doors, and talk with residents in the area where the pet went missing; post posters on lost pet websites such as Facebook; use robocall services that randomly dial numbers; put up signs at intersections and where it went missing; drop scent-laden leaves or pine needles or clothing in areas around where it went missing; lower scented leaves/pine needles, etc. to attract their target; if this fails then professional rescue services such as Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery will try their luck at capturing it all if necessary!
3. Check on Lost and Found Pet Websites
Find your pet online using any one of the many available resources. Start by searching local lost and found pet websites; check local newspaper classified ads; use Craig’s List; visit AC&C Facebook pages, NextDoor (specific to your neighborhood); and call local shelters/animal control centers about any possible signs.
If your lost pet is microchipped, contact its microchip company and file a missing report with the BARC Lost and Found Database. Alternatively, upload pictures to Petco Love Lost’s national database, which utilizes facial recognition technology to search through thousands of found pets for potential matches.
PawBoost, similar to an AMBER Alert for lost pets, can also be an invaluable resource. Free and with an excellent track record in reuniting lost animals with their owners, it offers hope and comfort when searching for lost pet reunification.
Do not forget to update your pet’s microchip information after they return home, so if they get lost again, they will come right home! Additionally, post “found pet” flyers around your neighborhood as well as local vet offices and pet supply stores; ask friends and family members for assistance posting flyers; consider sending out emails asking neighbors and friends of friends to keep an eye out. In Hudson Valley, residents may wish to check out Bentley Potter’s Lost Pets of Hudson Valley Facebook site, which has helped reunite many lost pets over time!
4. Post “Found Pet” Flyers
If you haven’t done so already, post a “found pet” flyer with clear photos and contact details on your local community Facebook page to spread awareness. Or use lost/found pet reporting websites such as Petango and PetFBI.
Posting a lost pet poster in your neighborhood should also be part of the process; make sure it stands out with brightly-colored paper and large print for maximum impact. Include the name, description, and phone number of the lost animal and information like PawBoost (an open-source software option for creating posters).
Place posters around where the animal went missing, using duct tape to secure them against possible torn-down attempts. Also, ask nearby businesses if they would allow you to post one on their bulletin boards; don’t forget veterinary offices as well; these frequently have posters listing lost pets!
Distribute flyers to those in the area who live and work there – such as mail carriers, meter readers, school bus drivers, and neighborhood children. Furthermore, walking through the neighborhood where your pet was lost and talking with residents may help quickly locate it, mainly if your lost pet was a dog.
Finally, visit local animal shelters to search for your pet’s owner. Bring along photos and flyers of both of them – this could help shelter staff identify who the pet belongs to! Additionally, visit nearby communities’ websites and see if they offer lost and found pet pages if that fails.
5. Contact Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery
Losing a beloved pet is every dog owner’s worst fear. From family outings, leaving doors open, or other events going awry – losing one can be heartbreaking and life-changing for everyone involved – yet when this unfortunate incident does arise, there are steps you can take to give your furry family member every chance of returning safely home.
One of the most essential steps you can take for your pet’s well-being is making sure their microchip information is always current. That way, should they become lost and someone takes them for scanning; they can contact you immediately should someone find them and scan for a microchip.
Contacting local groups specializing in reuniting pets with their families can also be immensely helpful. In the Hudson Valley, one such group is Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery; their team has an outstanding record for successfully reuniting pets with their families – their efforts even appearing on local and national news stories!
Nicole and the entire staff at Buddha Dog are passionate animal advocates who work tirelessly to make an impactful difference with their work, never giving up until your pet has been returned home safely. I know first-hand that should you ever lose your pet, they will do whatever is possible to assist in its return home safely.
If your pet has gone missing, you must act quickly by following these tips and offering them to your lost pet as the best chance of returning safely home. With any luck, they should soon be back! Good luck and best wishes!
