Wondering how to find a lost dog or cat? Here at Anasazi Animal Clinic, we never like to hear about lost pets, and we always hope for a happy reunion. About 10 million cats and dogs get lost every year in the United States, but your pet doesn’t need to be one of them. There are some simple things you can do to prevent your pets from getting lost, and resources you can use to get reunited quickly if your pet does lose their way.
Tips and Resources for Finding a Lost Dog or Cat
1: Act Quickly
As soon as you notice your pet is missing, start searching! Canvass your neighborhood by calling their name and holding a favorite toy or favorite food. Knock on your neighbors’ doors to alert them that your pet is missing and to ask if they have seen them recently. Sometimes cats will run and hide in garages, under porches, or in bushes, so make sure to ask your neighbors if you can look for your cat around their property.
2: Use Social Media
Post a photo and description of your lost pet to your social media channels, as well as the lost animal Facebook pages for Gilbert or Chandler. The website and app Nextdoor and the website Pawboost can both be useful tools when searching for a lost pet in your local area.
3: Check Local Shelters
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control offer a variety of tools to help reconnect pet owners with their lost dog or cat. These tools include a Stray Animal map tool and the 24PetConnect.com where they post pictures of the lost animals they find. You should also check the local shelters in person each day to see if your pet has been brought in.
How to Prevent a Pet from Becoming Lost
1: Use Secure Transportation
When out and about with your dog, make sure they are on a leash that has no frays and that connects to their collar properly. Keep a grip on the leash at all times, just in case your dog decides to bolt for some reason. When transporting a cat, make sure they are in a cat carrier that is fully secured and has no rips. Always keep your cat inside the cat carrier until you are inside a room they cannot escape from.
2: Keep Dogs Supervised
Pet owners are always shocked to hear that their dog jumped over their tall backyard fence. Dogs are excellent jumpers—and diggers!—and when left outside, they can quickly scale or dig under a fence. There have also been tales of dogs opening gates by themselves. When your dog is playing in the yard, try to be outside with them at the same time, and if you can’t, make sure to check on them frequently.
3: Keep Your Pet’s Microchip and ID Updated
Just in case your dog or cat is ever lost, it’s important to ensure that the information on their ID tag or microchip is up to date. Microchips make it easy to find a pet’s owner if they ever get lost. Most pets adopted from animal shelters will come with a microchip, but if your pet does not have one, a veterinarian can easily implant one for you.
Helping Prevent Lost Pets In Gilbert AZ
Every pet parent’s worst fear is losing their furry companion. If you and your pet are ever separated, we hope that these tips and resources will help you get reunited quickly. If you ever find a lost dog or cat, or would like to get a microchip for your pet, please contact the staff at Anasazi Animal Clinic. We always do our best to ensure a happy reunion!
Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash