Losing a pet can be a very distressing time, remember, if you have lost your pet, never give up hope and remember it's now the law to have your your pet micro-chipped.
There are a number of things you need to do if you lose your pet -
- Report your missing pet to local police - ensure you go to the nearest police station to the location of the lost pet.
- Report your missing pet to the local dog warden - you will be able to get their telephone number from your local authority website.
- Use social media such as Facebook and twitter to spread the word that your pet is missing. There are also lots of voluntary 'search and rescue' groups on Facebook who will be able to assist and advise you in your search
- Report your missing pet to the local homeless dog shelter - if you have more than one in your area contact them all, these are very busy places and handle a large number of stray pets so it's best to go in person to the shelter(s). Also remember to ask the local dog warden which homeless shelter a lost pet would be taken to if it were to be found and ensure you visit that shelter.
- Report your missing pet to all vets in the area.
- Put up posters of your missing pet in the area, remember to put a good picture of your pet on the posters. If your pet is insured check your policy as some insurance companies will pay for the posters to be made. Consider, also offering a small reward if your pet is found.
- Contact your local paper and ask if they will place something about your pet in their next edition, if they are unwilling to print anything then consider taking out a small ad in the publication.
- If it's your cat that is missing ask people in the are to check garages and sheds to ensure your cat has not been accidentally locked in.
- If your pet is micro-chipped ensure that those details are up to date.
There are a number of things you need to do if you find a pet -
If you find a pet then you should either report it to the local police station or to the local dog warden (you will be able to get their telephone number from your local authority website or phone book) who will then give you further instructions as to your next steps. Each police or dog warden may give you slightly different information depending on which part of the country you live in.
Make sure to check local social media as there are now a number of groups dedicated to reuniting lost or stolen pets.