![Picture](/uploads/4/1/4/0/41406429/4102599.jpg?1432212797)
I have always been keenly aware of the calls that Animal Care Sanctuary receives each day on the dogs or cats that have been lost or found. We take a description of the animal and internally circulate to everyone as well as post on Facebook and Bradford County Lost and Found.
But the last three weeks the volume on Facebook, the calls we receive, and the people that drive up hoping their animal was brought here, has magnified. How terrifying it must be to put your dog in the backyard one last time before retiring for the evening, and then discover they are missing. Frustrated people find dogs and cats that they know are pets and they have no collar with ID. They all call us and our hearts break when we have to tell them their lost animal is not here, or that we do not have room for them to bring the animal in that they found.
Listed below are a few proactive things you can do so that your pet is not lost as well as what you can do if lost, to get them back. Time is of the essence.
Get your pet a collar, with a tag on it that has his name and phone number. Make sure the tag is easily read so that older people who have found your dog will be able to contact you easily. Also put the license and rabies tag on as it can easily be traced back to you by the county that issued the tag or the state for the rabies.
Get your pet micro chipped. If you got your pet from a shelter within the last few years, it is probable that he or she has already been micro-chipped. A microchip is a harmless chip that is inserted into the back of the neck. The chip contains an ID that any vet or shelter can scan for. The ID can then be searched through a database containing your contact information so that a vet or shelter can contact you when they find your pet. We have returned many pets to their owners because when we scanned the animal we immediately found out whom they belonged to – yes, even cats!
Don't leave your pet outside unattended. Make sure to bring them inside at night, especially in forested or rural areas.
If Your Pet is Lost
• Don’t Waste Time- The first two hours are critical. Ask as many people as you can to search up to a three mile radius. Assign someone to call all shelters and vets in the area. Ask them to post on their social media. Be specific: "LOST: (Dog's Name) a brown dog with white face and paws, SPAYED female; 50 pounds, got loose from yard on Dec. 1, 2014 (Location where lost) near the post office in Our Town, PA around 4 p.m. Wearing a pink collar with rabies tag and license. Is on anti-seizure medication. Family pet. REWARD. Call (610) 555-0000." Do Not put the amount of the reward. The Higher the amount the more valuable they may think the animal is.
•Grab Food- their favorite food or treats to capture their attention – dog’s hearing is acute and rattling the paper, shaking the box – cats will smell the tuna you have – whatever you do at home at feed or treat time – repeat the same phrases, noises.
•Bring Another Dog – if searching for a dog often that will capture their attention.
If not found in 24 hours, make posters, use social media, call shelters back again, talk to police, ask everyone if they have seen your pet. Many radio and TV stations will broadcast missing pets. Put articles of your clothing in critical areas – do not put food as this will attract other animals.
"Family pet" tends to motivate people to look. Advertising it as a "show dog or cat," "breeding dog," "therapy dog," or "search and rescue dog" is not a good idea. Too much disclosure is not always the best policy.
A reward tends to motivate people. However, don't state an amount. If you make the reward too large, like $5000, people will wonder about the pet’s value and some people may not want to return your pet.
Always say a female is spayed, whether she is or not. Again, this is to protect the pet from the unscrupulous who might see a breeding opportunity. The same logic applies to a medical problem or genetic defect. People will be less likely to think of breeding a pet that could be perceived as valuable if they think it has a medical problem. That gives a sense of urgency to the ad, too.
If the dog is friendly, say "Please try and coax her into your garage or fenced yard and call us." If the dog is not friendly or could be a fear biter say, "Don't attempt to corner her. Simply call us with her location ASAP."
If you suspect your pet was stolen contact police and dog warden. If we can help in any way, please call us at Animal Care Sanctuary 570-596-2200.