The first thing you should do when your pet goes missing
is to check around your property, neighbours properties and any place the animal was familiar with. Ask neighbours to
look under steps, in sheds, decks, garages, etc. If there is any new construction in the area, check with contractors.
Animals can get lost within a block of their homes so don't limit your search to the immediate area.
If your animal is still missing, create missing flyers that include the following
information:
- animal's name
- breed
- male or female
- spayed or neutered
- declawed
- coat colour
- coat
length
- eye colour
- any distinguishing marks, including tattoos or microchip
- if
it was wearing a collar
- collar colour
- your name and phone number
- where the animal was last seen
- when it went missing
- and maybe most important, a recent picture of the animal
This information is also helpful to provide to anyone
you place a missing animal report to.
Put up the flyers all over your neighbourhood,
high traffic areas such as stores and community halls (with permission please)
Knock
on doors and if no response leave flyers in mailboxes. A neighbour may have seen your animal, assumed it was a stray
and taken it in not knowing its home was just around the corner.
Contact your local SPCA shelter at 742-9767. File a missing animal report
and take in or email a recent picture to spcapets@hotmail.com Call all the veterinarians in your area, not just
the one you use, to report your animal missing. People often call veterinarians when they find stray animals.
CJLS radio has a daily "lost and found" free-of-charge
feature, call 742-7175
The Vanguard will publish
your "lost and found" item for free in their Classified section, call 1-866-721-7442
Check the sides of roads and fields in case your animal has been hit by a car.
Look after dark with a flashlight when things have
quieted down. Cats like night time and may be easier to entice with some food and a voice it knows.
