What to Do If You Have a Lost Pet

A pet can become more than just an animal to their family - they can touch our hearts and become a furry member of your family. And when your family has a lost pet it can be quite an emotional experience. The entire family wants nothing more than to see their lost dog or cat come walking through the door, but the reality is that this rarely happens. When you have a lost pet, whether dog or cat you must begin searching as soon as you realize they are missing. The faster you begin your search the better the outcome will generally be.

The first step to take when you have a lost pet is to ask any neighbors that live nearby if they have seen your pet, heard them, or seen any signs of animal activity such as knocked over garbage cans. Make them aware that your family has a lost pet and give them a detailed description or give them a lost pet announcement that you have made featuring your lost pet.

To make lost pet announcements use a clear and recent picture of your pet and include the color, size and breed of your lost pet. A dog or cat can be the same breed and still differ in size or color.
"Lost Pet" announcements to post around your neighborhood. Be aware that the tampering of any kind with another person's mailbox is a federal offense. Instead try folding your notice long-ways and stick it in your neighbor's front door.

Call your local animal shelter and ask if they have picked up any dog or cat fitting the description of your lost pet. Sometimes it can take a few hours to process a lost pet that has been picked up, so try calling in the morning and later in the afternoon.

One of the last attempts to find a lost pet is to drive around your home within the perimeter of one and a half to two miles for each day your pet has been gone. A good portion of lost pets are found this way, but many times it is too late and the pet is found on the side of the road after being hit by a car.

Sometime a lost pet is never found and the family is forced to go on without any knowledge of what has happened to them. In rare instances a lost pet has been picked up and taken home by someone else if they are friendly enough to go to a stranger.

Spaying or neutering your dog or cat will reduce their desire to wander. In most cases a lost pet has wandered off in search of a mate and has either lost interest in returning home or cannot find their way.