boco
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May 9, 2008, 9:01 AM
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INFO: HOW TO FIND A LOST DOG
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Ways to Find a Lost Dog
First, search your property thoroughly. Large or small dogs can get into some mighty strange places.
· The point is, look in EVERY nook and cranny. Don't assume that your pet would never crawl into some tiny space.
· Look behind, under, and inside washing machines, clothes dryers, stoves, refrigerators, and dish washers. Look behind water heaters, in boxes, under furniture, under beds, in closets, in cabinets, in shelves and bookcases, in drain pipes, in sewer drains, in culvert pipes, under vehicles, in crawl spaces under the house, inside sheds and barns, etc.
Walk the neighborhood, talk to everybody, and leave your phone number.
· Go to each house in the area where your pet was lost and talk to the residents. Write down a description of your lost pet and your phone number and leave it with them. Leave it attached to their door if they are not home.
· Talk to everybody you run across. This includes the postman, paperboy, children, parents waiting at the school bus stop, school crossing guards, neighborhood crime watch groups, garbage pick-up crews, etc. Give them a written description of your pet and your phone number as well.
· Try to get all the neighborhood children involved. Kids are great at finding lost pets!
· Ask everybody if they saw or heard anything unusual in the neighborhood and carefully write down everything they tell you. This could include strange vehicles, work crews, people, or activities. Get detailed descriptions of everything.
· Don't travel alone. Take a friend or family member with you.
· Don't write down your name or address. Because of scam artists and other criminals in our society, it is never a good idea to publicize this information.
· Offer a reward, but don't state the amount.
Make some noise while you walk around the neighborhood! Animals can hear you from great distances.
· Have all your family members call the pet's name.
· If your pet has a favorite "squeaky toy" bring it along and use it to help you make familiar noises.
· Carry a box of your pet's favorite biscuits, chews, or other treats and rattle it loudly while calling your pet's name.
· Make any other noise that your pet is familiar with.
· It's also important to stop regularly, be quiet, and listen for your pet to make a noise in reply.
· The neighbors will think you're crazy, but hey, this is your pet's life we're talking about here!
Bring a powerful flashlight (even during daylight hours) for checking in dark spaces.
· A frightened or injured dog will hide in dark spaces and will not come to you.
· Use your flashlight for checking under houses and other dark spots. Also check storage sheds, garages, dumpsters, trash cans, and under cars.
Place strong-scented articles outside your home to attract your pet. Animals find their way by scent as well as sound.
· Place some of your dirty clothes outdoors. Sweaty gym socks and jogging suits are great for this!
· Place a dog’s bedding and favorite toys outside.
Call local veterinarian offices during the day. After 5 PM, call veterinarian emergency clinics.
· Find out if your pet was injured and taken to any of these offices or clinics for treatment.
· If an office has taken in or treated any animal that even remotely resembles your pet, VISIT THE OFFICE IN PERSON. Your description of your pet and their description of the same pet rarely match. YOU MUST GO SEE FOR YOURSELF!
· Also ask them for the phone numbers of local rescue organizations. They generally keep a list and may even work with them.
· Call each of the rescue organizations and ask for their help and find out if they have your pet. These groups generally network with each other and will pass the word about your case.
VISIT your local Animal Control, humane societies, and animal shelters, including the ones in surrounding areas.
· You must actually visit the animal control and humane shelters every day or two. It works well if several family members can take turns visiting the shelters.
· Your description of your pet and their description rarely match. YOU MUST GO LOOK! Be sure to check all areas of the shelter, including the infirmary.
· Leave a picture of your pet and your phone number at each shelter. Befriend them.
· Find out the holding period of each animal control and humane shelter. Be aware of how much time you have to claim your pet before it is euthanized!
Ask Animal Control, humane societies, and shelters about pet rescue organizations in your area.
· Usually there are smaller pet rescue groups that work with the local humane shelter. They often take pets from the shelter to save them from euthanasia and adopt them out to new homes.
· Call the rescue groups regularly to see if they have your pet.
It is extremely important to post MANY flyers about your lost pet within a 1-mile radius of where it was lost.
· Overall, flyers or posters produce more "finds" than anything else. But don't neglect the rest of the tips!
· Your budget will determine how many flyers you can afford to post, but the more the better.
· DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME OR ADDRESS ON YOUR FLYER!
· If possible, it is best to place a color photo of your pet on each flyer.
· Use 8-1/2" X 11" fluorescent paper for high visibility.
· List the date and place your pet was lost, breed of dog, sex, age, weight, color, markings, and your telephone number. Offer a reward, but don't state the amount.
· It is very important to always withhold several identifying marks and characteristics of your lost pet. You may need to use these later to verify that a person has actually found your pet and is not trying to scam you. More on this later.
· Post the flyers at waist level on telephone poles and at eye level in such places as veterinary offices, pet shops, barber & beauty shops, grocery stores, community bulletin boards, churches, pizza parlors, laundromats, convenience stores, near schools, and on school bulletin boards.
· Examine your posted flyers frequently and replace the ones that are missing or damaged.
Place an Ad in your local newspaper.
· Be sure to advertise in the Sunday edition as well as during the week.
· Also place an ad in any relevant websites.
Check the newspaper "found" ads every day.
· Also check regularly in any local publications or websites.
Don't ever give up! Pets have been known to find their way back home after being lost for several months. Good luck!
A Few Words of Caution
There are dangerous people in our society who prey upon victims by using "found" pets as a ploy.
· NEVER respond to a "found" pet contact alone. Take a friend or two along with you.
· Arrange to meet in a public place.
· NEVER invite the person to your home unless you happen to know them well.
Beware of money scams. A common one is a person calls you claiming to be a long-haul trucker. He says he picked up your pet and is out of state now. He heard about your ad, flyer, etc. and says he will return your pet if you will pay to ship it home. This person does not have your pet, he is only trying to take your money.
Don't wander around looking for your pet alone, either during the day or at night. Always bring a friend or relative. This is especially important in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Use the identifying information you have withheld about your pet. Please remember that you should never give out all of the identifying features of your lost pet. If the person who claims to have found your pet cannot describe these features to you, they do not have your pet!
When You Find Your Pet
Go around and collect up all of your old flyers.
Thank everybody who has helped you.
Let us know! We are always glad to hear about lost and found "success" stories.
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