Finding a Lost Pet

Thursday, July 5, 2012 - 10:15am
dog sitting outside

More pets are lost on the Fourth of July than any other time of year. It’s a heartbreaking scenario for pet parents, but swift action and major networking can increase the odds that you will be reunited with your cat or dog.

We recently surveyed more than 1,000 households with pets across the country to find out if they had lost a dog or cat in the past five years—and if they did, did they find that pet and where did they look?

Of those pet guardians surveyed, 15 percent had lost a dog or a cat in the past five years, and 85 percent of those lost dogs and cats were recovered.


The study's findings suggest the following are key when recovering a lost pet:

  • Searching immediately when one knows the pet is lost;
  • Searching within the neighborhood first through visual searches as well as posters and online; and
  • Checking local shelters from the first day your pet is lost.

If your pet is lost, it’s important not to panic. Enlist the help of all of your friends and neighbors and hit the streets! Read our extended article on Finding a Lost Pet for more information and helpful hints.

Tags: 
Pet Care

Comments

Thu, 07/05/2012 - 18:12 — Joanne Lastort (Visitor)
If you adopted a pet from a rescue, call them. A lot of times they can help with flyers and people to search.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 19:31 — vixx (Visitor)
There are some great ideas on here (below) with tips on finding lost pets - what I DON'T see are better ways to keep your pets from getting lost to begin with! This may not work as well with cats but since dogs in most states are required to be registered and wearing tags but the first rule is: TEACH YOUR DOG TO RETURN ON COMMAND! Period.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 21:54 — Carol S. (Visitor)
We have 4 cats and a dog. They have collars with tags, but where we live (Southern California), there is always the possibility of a large earthquake to do enough damage to our house that the scared animals will get out and take off. Calling them is the first thing to try, of course, but we live in the foothills with predators roaming free (coyotes, mountain lions, etc.), and the pets may take to hiding. Because cats, especially, will sometimes hang themselves from collars, mine have break-away collars to be safer. Micro-chipping is the only way we can get information in them to make sure they can be positively identified. Almost every shelter is equipped with a scanner. Posters, pictures and scented clothing are all good as well. By the way, 3 of my cats are rescues as is my dog. Take care.

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 19:40 — Jan N. (Visitor)
Happened to me...a Maine Coon cat came into my backyard..it was all ratted and tangled and took me awhile to really see the cat. It was quite afraid, but wet food works pretty good. but it takes time. SO, once I could handle the cat a bit, I got the tangles out, and I had the shelter near me get the animal control guy to wand the cat; BUT I did take the cat to animal services, and there was ALREADY a chip...the guy didn't pick it up with his wand!!??, so perhaps still have it done again. Amazingly found, but then the actual owner from that many months, DID NOT WANT their prior cat (that was found) anymore!! I couldn't believe it. How can they do that?

Sun, 07/08/2012 - 13:34 — Adriane (Visitor)
Did you adopt it?

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 20:32 — Connie (Visitor)
Welcome to the world of irresponsible pet owners. What you did was so very kind and clearly saved the life of that cat. People are really cruel when it comes to the care and life of their pets. Volunteer in a shelter for a week and see what happens with people who are able to have a pet for many years, turn it into a shelter and walk away without a backward glance. Sickening!!

Tue, 07/24/2012 - 16:43 — Jan (Visitor)
I rescued a mini Doberman. . . .elderly, blind in one eye, horrific tumor. Euthanasia was necessary. The first Vet said we were required to take him to the Town shelter. If he was not claimed, they would euthanize. Refused to let this little boy cower in terror in a cage for three days, smelling fear and death. At the second vet, we spent a lot of time relaxing him, singing to him, wrapped in a heated blanket, and gave him a private cremation. I sobbed for weeks. Weeks later someone saw a woman on our street walking a mini Doberman puppy. I wish that I had seen her. Whoever abandoned that little boy: may Karma drop them on top of a mountain in winter when they are 90, and let them figure out what to do.

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 01:04 — wendy (Visitor)
Newspapers, posters with photo of animal, police departments and animal shelters. Also put their cat box out at the entrance. Cats recognize their own scent.

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 01:56 — spencer blank (Visitor)
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this webpage's posts all the time along with a cup of coffee.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 00:34 — Karen Pauli (Visitor)
Leave your pet a scent trail to follow to find their way home. For a dog, put something you've worn out in a shletered place, like a porch or carport. For a cat, put out the used litterbox. We navigate by sight, they navigate by scent.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 11:08 — Tess (Visitor)
The clothing trick works for cats too. I lured my lost kittie home by leaving a worn t-shirt near the front of my door. He found it in one day and meowed loudly at the door, where I happily scooped him up.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 17:51 — robert (Visitor)
So many people don't think of this and smack themselves when I suggest it. I am always being asked what to do when a pet is lost. Those clothes can be sented for a long way off. Another thing: Kids are bad about opening gates. Lock Your Gates! One last trick that has worked in my neighborhood. Get a stand-up clear holder for a good 8X10 photo of your lost animal. Put this on your porch alongside a good pet carrier. If 'Junior' brings home a cute puppy and the parent wants to find out where it came from and cruses the neighborhood... Bingo!

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 15:55 — Jeannine (Visitor)
Locking your gates is the best advice. The gas and electric companies will provide you with a lock free of charge so they still have access. All you have to do is call and ask for locks. Gates need to be checked regularly though, because a new gas meter reader went through our neighborhood once and left every gate wide open. I called and complained and it never happened again.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 09:39 — Janis (Visitor)
Our neighborhood HOA keeps a registry of pets with their addresses and pictures so if your pet is lost you can call or email them and they will send out a mass email for you. We have over 2000 homes in our subdivision, so this is a fantastic way to get information out. Also, if you find a lost pet, they can also send out a mass email as well as compare the directory to them.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:14 — Jennifer (Visitor)
That is a wonderful idea! I wish more HOA did this.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:18 — v (Visitor)
I have HOA in our neighbor hood but not for pets. Wish we did. That's the best idea. WE lost a pet and found him dead right out sise the neighbor hood. He was only 2 1/2 years old. We miss him.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 20:11 — Sue (Visitor)
So sorry for your loss.

Sun, 07/08/2012 - 13:37 — Adriane (Visitor)
So sorry to hear that. That's awful.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 09:40 — Kay (Visitor)
Be sure to have several clear recent photos of your pet showing identifying markings and colors. Micro-chip your pets. Give your pet a collar with a current address and phone ID tage. And most importantly, keep your pets indoors with you, not out running free in the neighborhood.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 13:55 — Barbara (Visitor)
The absolutely best advice!

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 09:43 — Leslie Sanford (Visitor)
Take advantage of any free offers (or paid, if you can afford it) to broadcast lost pet info on local radio stations and to post a classified ad in your local newspaper. And use FaceBook! Post on your page and any of your local friends' pages.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 09:53 — A W Howell (Visitor)
For cats or dogs, leave a favorite treat in and around the home. For cats I always make canned food noises, (tapping a can, or opening one). For dogs squeaky toy sounds can be enticing.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:52 — Cindy DeLaurentis (Visitor)
There are wonderful apps for intertaining cats on iTunes, one being the sounds of opening cans of cat food, the popping of lids, the shaking of cat treats. These apps would be great to help find your lost cat as you walk,drive,around neighborhoods with the volume turned up high, better yet connected to your cars radio to really blast the sound! Night time is the best time to look for your missing cat as they are nighttime roamers. Take your flashlight and beam it into and around fields attracting the moving eyes of your cat. Keep calling your cats name as you do this. I have found my lost cats by doing this,

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:00 — lee (Visitor)
Get in your car an drive slow while calling for your pet. My dogs love riding in cars and when they escaped out the front door my husband got in the car and when they saw us they came running to go for a ride

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:09 — Julie (Visitor)
While walking and driving around to search for your pet be sure to listen for other barking dogs. It's possible they are barking because they are seeing a "strange" dog. I found a friend's dog this way once.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:12 — Kristina Wright (Visitor)
Check out www.missingpetparnership.org website.

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 20:03 — Jan N. (Visitor)
just want to check re: the website; think one letter is wrong perhaps. You have it as www.missingpetparnership.org Wouldn't it be www.missingpetpartnership.com I think in yours, it is missing one t

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:16 — MP (Visitor)
Contact local rescue groups that work in the area - even when they rescue different type of animals. Cat rescue groups often include people who feed colonies and strays around neighborhoods. These are people who will notice when a strange cat OR dog is around and if your pet is lost and hungry, they'll tend to gravitate to where these people are feeding. These are also people who trap animals in order to get them sterilized and a lost pet could easily end up in one of their traps. Don't give up on a lost pet for weeks. For cats especially, keep calling them early in the morning (around 6am or earlier) and late in the evenings (after 9pm) when things are quieter. They are more likely to emerge from where they're hiding when people aren't around and since it's quieter around these times, you'll be able to hear a meow responding to your calls.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:19 — Barb Gray (Visitor)
Best way possible is to Micro-chip your dog. With the Micro-chip you can usually purchase a lifetime license as well. Next best thing, call the shelter-radio station and never quit looking for you friend and companion.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:22 — Sandy Bigger (Visitor)
Lost my dog Onyx on 6/26/12 at my home. He is a neutered male black lab approximately 7 to 8 years old. Wearing orange collar with tags. Has Avid chip. Lost in the Wenona, Illinois. If found, please call 815-853-7054 and leave a message. Thank You! SANDY BIGGER

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 12:50 — Kim (Visitor)
I found my dog within three days of him wandering off my property (he was old, almost blind - something I didn't know at the time & was looking for my daughter - "his baby" - who was visiting her father out of town. Thankfully, I found him on Craigs List after driving through and around my neighborhood with no luck. I also recently found a little dog in the middle of the street at night following someone who wasn't his owner - I opended my car door and in he jumped. He spent the night with us, but was promply reunited with his Very Happy owners the next morn. It works! Also call All the shelters you can ....... Good luck

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:12 — amber (Visitor)
did you find your dog....how awful

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 15:30 — Julia (Visitor)
Craigslist is a great tool when trying to find a lost pet. Search for "Lost Dog" and "Found Dog", as you don't know what the finding person might enter when they post the ad...also look in "Community>Lost and Found" and "Community>Pets". Missing Pet Partnership is a great organization that has great tips on their website! [And yes, there is a missing "t" in the URL posted above, as the astute person caught! =)] They also have great articles on animal behavior that might help when trying to figure out where your animal might have wandered off to. I volunteered for them on July 5th and 6th, and with their tips there were several happy reunions!

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:37 — Diane Larrieu (Visitor)
I also recommend contacting your local police department immediately. As in other comments, please make sure your pet has ID tags on, if not a name tag and phone number, at least the license and/or rabies tag I have found a number of dogs with only their license tag/rabies tag on, however, they have been returned to the owner via those modalities as well.

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 16:13 — Jamie (Visitor)
Yes! As an animal control officer working through a police department, PLEASE contact us first thing. If you call us the moment you notice your animal missing, we can sometimes get out there to help you search. I've found many missing dogs this way with many tearful happy reunions. I've also picked up many dogs at large who go unclaimed until days later when someone calls to tell me their dog has been missing a week. Call us!

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:43 — Mary (Visitor)
I lost my cat at a remote vet office two years ago a week before the 4th. I was heartbroken but knew the statistics--only about 3% of lost cats get returned. I posted flyers, talked to EVERY neighbor within a mile (about 25), walked the roads, drove further. Checked at houses with other cats/dogs. And offered a reward. Used Tabbytracker.com, used the newspaper, not just called but VISITED each local shelter/sanctuary. And 7 days later a neighbor of the vets called and sure enough Bob came bounding back into my arms. Never give up, it doesn't take all that much time or effort--nothing could ever be too much. You've taken responsibility for a life, make sure you do all you can to save it.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 13:17 — Naila M Sanchez (Visitor)
Thank you for being so dedicated... God blesses you for this! A life is forever, not just while it is easy. You are a great person.. may you and your precious cat be together for years more!

Wed, 07/11/2012 - 15:34 — Julia (Visitor)
Well done finding your lost kitty! You did a lot of things that Missing Pet Partnership recommends...unless they are chased, many cats do not go far from home, but they will not respond to calls form their owners until they are so hungry and thirsty that they can no longer stand it! And that can be 10-14 days, or longer! Don't give up!

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 11:17 — Ned (Visitor)
We just created a free iPhone app that lets you update your pet's tag at any time -- even after it's lost! Support us with a quick vote so we can get it into the app store!! http://evr.pt/devcup

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 12:45 — T (Visitor)
last Fourth of July our doggie ran out of the house when the sound of the fireworks scared him. we walked and drove around the neighborhood and beyond, posted flyers everywhere, posted on facebook and Craig's list, spoke to neighbors, went to shelters every day, offered a reward and even had a tracker dog try to pick up his trail. he was eventually found 5 days later by some kind gentlemen who work at a neighborhood restaurant and a nice lady who works at the pet store next door. Even though he had name tags and was microchipped (the day he took off) his rabbies tags had his vet's phone number so the pet store called the vet, who called us. The bottom line is-don't stop looking or give up hope, no matter how hard it is or how many days have passed without news of your pet. we are so grateful that he is now home safe with us and his twin brother.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 11:19 — b j Altschul (Visitor)
Another resource is http://MissingCritters.com -- free, easy instructions to email/upload a picture via your cell phone. See instructions for both individuals and shelters.

Sun, 07/08/2012 - 16:40 — Robin (Visitor)
Lost Airedale.believe he was picked up off 17 n out o warrenton va. Please call...5403476684. Male. Neutered. 13 yr old. Blue collar. Please help him get home

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 11:23 — Pam (Visitor)
microchipping is so important, but also you should make daily trips to local shelters to see if your pet is there. We have found our local shelter does not always scan for a chip and can give you wrong info about your pet's status if you call. They may have your pet and say they don't. They euthanize after 7 days. Vital to be very proactive.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 11:36 — Karen (Visitor)
A few more tips. Our humane society has "Lost Pet" forms to complete; there are separate notebooks for cats and dogs. Fill out a form immediately. There is a recording of lost and found pets at our local SPCA, but it's not always accurate, so ideally, check *all* rooms of the shelter daily. Try to post a flyer at a local business that gets a lot of foot traffic, like a food market. Go door to door in your neighborhood; most people are very sympathetic and want to help. Finally, when your pet is found, let everyone know soon as possible,especially the humane society and rescue group(s), write "FOUND!" on flyers in public places, then take down flyers a few days later.

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 12:24 — Merrie (Visitor)
We are devastated over the loss of our 3 cats while on a road trip from Texas back home to the San Diego area. We had some engine trouble and had to pull over several times, it was dark and at some point while we were pulled over at one of the rest stops they got out of one of the camper windows. These pets are indoor cats and have never been away from us!! I live in california so I can't go to the shelters every day, I spend hours everyday on line looking at pictures from the shelters and recue places, but it is so hard to tell by some of the photos? I don't know what else to do?! If anyone can help me with this please call at760-504-8932 or 760-504-9274 or email me at saucylyric5@yahoo.com Thank You, Merrie

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 13:21 — Naila M Sanchez (Visitor)
I pray for your cats and for your family! I am SO sorry.. May blessings come their way, with you or with a kind stranger... My heart cries for you... Bless you! Naila

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 14:34 — Linda Zaitlin (Visitor)
You have got to go back to the rest stop(s) where you think they were lost- they may not have gone far away from that spot. Yoiu may be abale to lure them back to you with food or one of their kitty pans. I would also contact the nearby towns' police to find out if they have a rescue group you could contact. Vets in those towns may be able to steer you in the right direction. A rescue group may be able to trap the cats, especially if they are hungry by now. They would also be able to tell you what animal shelters to contact- emailing them pictures of your cats will help them ID them should anyone bring them in.

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:30 — amber (Visitor)
Merrie I am so so sorry...oh my word....can you put something in local paper? which town where they lost in.....maybe ring the vets in that town and send them a picture ....and also put on craigs list in that city....and ring the local shelters in that city as well and send all of these different places pictures...and tell them all your story so they can help you maybe the pictures you cant quite see...ask the person there to exam the cat and maybe you can remember a certain trait...you will know if the babies pictures you looking at are yours...my prayers go with you....amber akeggler@yahoo.com

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:30 — amber (Visitor)
Merrie I am so so sorry...oh my word....can you put something in local paper? which town where they lost in.....maybe ring the vets in that town and send them a picture ....and also put on craigs list in that city....and ring the local shelters in that city as well and send all of these different places pictures...and tell them all your story so they can help you maybe the pictures you cant quite see...ask the person there to exam the cat and maybe you can remember a certain trait...you will know if the babies pictures you looking at are yours...my prayers go with you....amber akeggler@yahoo.com

Fri, 07/06/2012 - 11:59 — Theresa (Visitor)
Another thing to do is Put a POSTER or SIGN in front of your home/with picture if possible. People will notice this sign and are more likely to be more aware of your lost pet if in their area.

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