Preventing Lost Pets

Even the most responsible pet owners have experienced the panic and heartache that comes along with a pet bolting from the yard or out the front door. Since July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month, we thought it was important to highlight some of the things you and your family can do to make sure your pet doesn’t become another statistic.

Prevention

Make sure their information is up to date. That includes updated tags on their collar, updated microchip information, and making sure that you have updated copies of shot records and ownership records. If your pet does happen to get lost, you’ll need to be able to prove that you are their owner and they can be released into your care.

Secure their surroundings. Keeping your pet in a safe and well-guarded environment can make all the difference in the world. Keeping dogs in a fenced-in area that they can’t jump over or burrow beneath is imperative. If that’s not an option, make sure they are on a leash and wearing a collar with proper ID at all times. For cats, keeping them entirely indoors is the safest option, but they can also go into safe areas like a screened-in porch. They also need to be wearing a collar with proper ID in case they happen to get outside.

Make sure you have the right equipment. From the proper leash to the proper carrier, you need to make sure that you’re using the tools that are right for your animal. Dogs can easily break leashes and cats can finagle their way out of a carrier, especially under stress. Make sure you’re using leashes and carriers appropriate for your animal’s size and weight, and that there is no way for them to break out or break free when being transported somewhere.

If They Get Lost

Start searching immediately. As soon as you realize your pet is missing, grab a recent photo of them and start canvassing your neighborhood. Knock on doors and ask if anyone has seen your pet. You can also provide neighbors with your contact information so that they can reach out if they spot them or manage to contain them. Ask neighbors for their permission to look under porches, stairs, underbrush, and wooded areas around their homes.

Get the word out. Create signs and put them on every street corner near your house and in your yard. Take these signs to local pet stores, groomers, veterinary offices, and boarding facilities just in case someone recognizes your pet. Get on social media and other websites like PetFinder, Craigslist, NextDoor, Pet Amber Alert, and Fido Finder. Make sure everything you post, whether online or on a physical sign, contains an updated photo of your pet, correct contact information for you, and details about your pet’s demeanor (skittish, will respond to food, do not chase, etc.).

Contact your local shelters. Provide them with the same signs that you’ve placed around the neighborhood. Many shelters have a lost and found where you can report your pet missing, and many times when a pet is found by a stranger the first place they call is the local animal shelter. 

If you are Karla’s Pet Care customer please let us know ASAP if your pet is missing so we can keep an eye out.