TIPS IF YOU FOUND A LOST PET
Finding someone's lost pet is crucial, as it reunites families with their beloved companions and brings relief from the distress and anxiety of separation. A pet is often considered a family member, and helping to reunite them ensures that both the pet and their owner can return to the comfort and security they share.
Steps to Take When You Find a Lost Pet
When you find a lost pet, it’s critical to do everything possible to reunite them with their owner. Many pets are beloved family members who have gone missing due to unforeseen circumstances. Follow these steps to help them find their way home:
• Don’t automatically assume the pet has been abandoned, dumped, or mistreated.
• The pet could be lost, stolen, or have escaped due to an accident, noise, or confusion.
• Take the pet to a local vet, shelter, or pet store to check for a microchip.
• A microchip is the fastest way to reunite a lost pet with its owner.
• Share a clear photo, description, and your contact information on:
• Local Facebook lost and found groups
• Nextdoor or Neighbor apps
• Ring Neighborhood alerts
• Inform your local shelter that you’ve found a pet.
• Many owners check shelters first when searching for their missing pet.
• If you’re hesitant about taking the pet to a shelter, contact rescues to help provide support.
• Local rescues may assist in providing temporary backup or foster placement if needed.
• Post flyers with the pet’s photo, your contact information, and details about where the pet was found.
Remember: Reuniting Pets Is Critical When you find a pet, do everything possible to reunite them with their family. Don’t give away or rehome a pet without taking steps to locate their owner first. The shelter system, microchips, and lost pet platforms exist to bring pets home, and they are often the best resources to help.
FOUND PUPPIES OR KITTENS?
If you’ve found newborn kittens or puppies, please observe them for about 18-24 hours before coming to their rescue. Keep in mind that it’s important to keep them with their mother if possible. Mom may be out searching for food or she may be in the process of moving her babies to a safer location. Mom’s tend to be gone for 2-3 hours at a time. They are fine for now. Try to watch from a safe distance because mom may not want to show you where her babies are located, so she’ll avoid them. Healthy babies can survive this time without food as long as they are in a safe place. If you’ve observed that the mother has abandoned the babies, or if the mother perished in any way, please move and make sure the pets are in a safe area. You can purchase nursing bottles and replacement formula at most local pet stores. If you can, please feed and take care of the babies until they are at the ideal weight for surgeries. Here is a guide for baby kittens and puppies.
Why Pets Go Missing
It’s important to understand that most lost pets have owners actively searching for them. Here’s how pets can end up lost:
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Accidental Escape: Pets can slip through open doors, gates, or windows.
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Noise Scares: Fireworks, thunderstorms, or other loud noises can spook pets into running away.
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Travel Mishaps: Pets can get lost during vacations or trips.
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Stolen Pets: Unfortunately, some pets are stolen and may end up far from home.
FINDING A SHY DOG
Tell people not to chase, Write “Do Not Chase” on your signs and handouts. SIGHTINGS ONLY.
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Do not yell dog’s name
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Use calming signals – if a dog is spotted, sit quietly
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Avoid eye contact (perceived as threatening by distressed animals)
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Stay low, stoop as you approach
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Lure a dog with food, just drop and walk away or toss to the dog’s side, not directly at it.
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If the dog won’t come to you, it may be necessary to use a large humane trap and set where the dog was last seen. You may be able to borrow one from animal control or a local shelter or rent one from an equipment rental store.(See our page “Advice on Trapping a Runaway Dog” for excellent instructions on baiting and setting a trap.)
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When searching, carry with you treats and slip leads that can go over the dog’s head quickly without needing to fasten a leash to a collar.
TIP: Run, jog or walk away from the dog to see if it will follow. This is less threatening than the direct approach.
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