How to Find Your Pet in Unfamiliar Territory

Pets become separated from their owners every minute of the day. How to start the search and who to call once your pet is missing in an area not known to you. The steps below I've seen work firsthand as a former kennel manager at a humane society.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Copies of vaccination records
• Current photograph
• paper
• pen or pencil
• cell phone

1. Stay calm ... most people tend to panic when they realize their pet is missing and why not, they are an endearing member of the family.
2. Stay focused ... write down where you started from
3. Write down where you are no, if you don't know ... find out
4. Call where you started from, ask if you left your pet there or if anyone has seen him
5. Ask if your pet was taken to a shelter
6. Ask for the name and phone number of the nearest shelter, even if they haven't seen your pet
7. Ask the shelter to fill out a LOST CARD -- this is a very important tool for shelters in reuniting pet and owner, especially if the pet is not wearing a collar with identification
8. When talking with people on the phone, ask for the names and phone numbers of other shelters, veterinarians, police or sheriff departments, boarding kennels, groomers,etc
9. Check lost pet sites, newspapers, schools, put up flyers, there is a number of ways to network today

Tips & Warnings

• Keep asking until you have covered a hundred mile radius or further
• Be persistent and you will find your beloved companion