Don't Lose That Pet

We all know that prevention is better than cure. Simple common sense precautions can go a long way to ensuring that our pet does get lost after escaping on a frolic of his own. We all know the kind of thing:

1/ Keep the gate closed

2/ Is the fence in good condition. Without holes or gaps

3/ Always keep your dog on a lead when walking the streets

4/ Take some good photographs showing your pet’s best features. You don’t want a stranger to have to identify your pet from a photograph that could be almost any other dog or cat.

5/ Ensure that your pet is always wearing a tag with your telephone number on it. Make sure it’s a number that will be answered – you don’t want to make it difficult for the person who finds your pet to contact you. However, it’s not a good idea to publicise your address on the tag. Opinions vary about whether to put the animal’s name on its tag. Some believe it makes it easier for a “pet-napper” to gain control over the animal, whilst others think that this is a risk worth taking as it may also make it easier for someone who has found your pet wandering on his property to capture it, to await your collection. Micro-chipping is highly recommended, as the tag alone is not absolute proof of ownership in the same way.

6/ Another high-tech aid is a device which can tell you if your pet (or pets) wander outside of a pre-set area which you choose. Each tagged pet is monitored by a base unit which beeps and vibrates if any of them stray further than you want. It will even tell you which pet it is.

7/ If you have to transport your pet, particularly to a strange area take care. A cage must be used for a cat, as it could easily bolt if spooked by a sudden noise. If that happens it will almost certainly hide, and is very unlikely to come to your call. Dogs should be kept on a lead.

What if the worst happens and your pet does wander off? Well, act immediately, each passing minute could be putting more distance between you and your pet. Having said that make a thorough search of your own property first. Cats and smaller dogs can curl themselves into very small places. Look behind, under and inside the larger household appliances. Washing machines, tumble dryers, etc. Inside cupboards, under or in motor cars, sheds garages. In the case of cats even the attic or up a tree is a possibility. Use a favourite squeaky toy or strong smelling food treat to try and entice your pet. Although you may be calling it by name, don’t forget to remain silent from time to time in case it can hear but can’t get to you and whines or whimpers.

When you are convinced that your pet is not there, walk the streets. Talk to everyone you meet. Leave flyers at every house in the immediate area. Put up flyers at eye height on poles and posts. The flyers should contain a detailed description and photograph of your pet. They should not include your address or the amount of any reward you may choose to offer.

Make plenty of noise calling your pet. Take a favourite squeaky toy to entice them. They can hear you from much further away than you might imagine. The device I mentioned earlier also has a “locate” mode built into the tag. This means that if the pet is within up to about 180 metres, the device can guide you to within a couple of centimetres to the pet. You can read more about that at my website.

Take a box of biscuits to rattle, and a good torch – even in daylight. You may need it to see into dark hiding places or foxholes.

Make sure that you contact all local vets, local authority departments responsible for animals, Police, etc. Many local newspapers will allow free announcements for lost pets.

Hopefully the above may help you to find your pet soon, if so don’t forget to walk around and remove all flyers, and to thank everybody who helped you.