What to do if your pet gets lost
Our front yard seems to be a haven for stray pets. We found another pup in our front yard yesterday! Thankfully, we returned him safely to his owner. Having a pet run out an open door, escape through a fence, or jerk the leash out of your hand is one of the scariest things a pet owner can go through. Whatever the reason, there are a few things you can do to recover quickly.
Don’t chase. If they get away from you while you’re there, chasing after a scared animal will only encourage them to keep running. Additionally, if they’re simply playful, it can turn into a game and they may continue to run and hide. Instead, calmly continue to call them back, offer treats, and move in a slow, purposeful manner; avoiding sudden jerky movements.
Start immediately. The moment you notice your pet is gone, start your search. The sooner you put out the blast on social media and canvas your neighborhood, the more likely you are to find them.
Remember their personality. How you conduct your search will depend on your pet’s personality and species. A confident, outgoing pet may have made new friends, while a shy or easily scared pet is more likely to be hiding somewhere or staying clear of strangers. So don’t forget to check in bushes, crawl spaces, sheds, or under decks.
Stay consistent. Just because you “already searched an area” doesn’t mean your pet won’t come back through. Walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery people if they have seen your pet.
Contact shelters. Even if they don’t have them when you call, you can still make them aware of your pet having gone missing so they can keep an eye on it. Make it part of your schedule to call every day. If you have a cat who is especially skittish, they may even loan you a life-trap to catch them. Animal control and police can also assist in keeping an eye out for your pet.
Use social media, but don’t forget to engage in person as well. Make a post in Sedalia’s Lost and Found Pet Group and make sure to include when and where the pet went missing. Anything about their personality, or special markings is also very helpful.
Avoid scammers by asking anyone who has claimed to have found your pet to send you a photo with today's date and a written description of them. Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money in advance before they’ll return your pet.
Don’t lose hope. Animals who have been lost for months (or even years!) have been reunited with their owners. A microchip reunited dog Kiwi with her owner—New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham—after having been missing for more than a year. Expand your search area and repost to social media and online forums.
Prevention is always the key to avoiding these situations. Unfortunately, it won’t always cover every possible scenario.
Check your harness and leash for any signs of wear and tear, as well as for proper fit, at least every quarter. Replace if any of the equipment is discolored, broken or frayed.
Double check fencing and door latches and fix any broken, missing, or loose places.
Have your pet microchipped (with up-to-date information), licensed in your city, and have a collar with proper ID. We have successfully returned about a dozen lost pets last year because they had a collar with an ID attached.
If your pet has gone missing and you need help searching or spreading the word, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
