What to Do when Pets Run Away

I had the unfortunate experience of having my little cat escape and disappear into a wooded area behind my house. Why she chose to escape is not the issue here. What remains are the things one must do in order to bring that pet home. Other than the implanted microchip, this will only help if the animal actually is fortunate enough to stumble across some humans who are kind enough to inquire about it. But how can you go about retrieving your animal? Here are some tips.

Set up a humane pet trap. While this probably won't work for a dog (unless it is a dog small enough to fit) it is perfect for a cat. A humane trap can be purchased at most sporting and hunting stores, as well as home improvement stores. They are generally used to trap pesky critters like raccoons and opossums from your backyard. The way the trap works is that the animal is lured in with food, and once inside, its paws will trigger it to close, thereby trapping it in a cage till you retrieve it by morning.

It is best to set the traps at night, because that is when most animals come out. The downside to all of this is you will very likely trap critters that aren't your pet. I trapped a number of raccoons (of all sizes and dispositions) as well as opossums, rabbits, and several of the neighbor's cats. It's important too, that when you release these animals, to do so carefully. In other words, don't stick your finger in the cage when there is a raccoon in it.

Another good idea is to consult a pet detective. Yes, they really do exist. Pet detectives can be found online, and you'll likely come across one in your area. The pet detectives own dogs that are trained to search for missing animals, and these dogs are able to locate your pet by their scent. So it is important to have a blanket or a toy that still carries the scent of your pet, so that way the dog knows what to search for.

I could go even further to note there are such things as "pet psychics" but these are pretty much scam artists, in my opinion. You can search for them online as well, and basically their shtick is that they claim to be able to "read your pet's mind" and somehow communicate telepathically with your missing animal. They generally charge a hefty fee for a bunch of useless information (they never give specific names of streets for example, claiming that animals are unable to read and therefore unable to communicate the names).

Although I don't believe in pet psychics, there are some out there who have used them and claim they work. If you want to get your pet back, I do suggest trying all options, but intellectually I think pet psychics are a waste of money and time.

Flyers are also a good idea. Post them not just around your neighborhood but also at local pet stores and vet offices. To sum up, on a sad note, I spent months searching for my cat and she never did come home. It's still one of the most painful experiences I've ever had, and while I don't have a happy ending, many of these techniques have worked for others, just not me.

When animals escape, they're no longer in their normal frame of mind. Many will be frightened and their first instinct will be to hide, even from their owner. Yet I learned the hard way, and this is why I never allow my cats to go outside.

But don't let my outcome ruin your efforts. The important thing is to keep trying, keep setting those traps every night. Your pet needs you to find them, so even though it is hard, try to stay hopeful.