Do You Have A Lost Pet Plan of Action?
There is no better time to develop a lost-pet plan of action than NOW!
The Fourth of July is the most common night for animals to run away or get lost. And, tragically, many pets are lost in unfamiliar areas when they run away from the safety of their owner's vehicles or lodging while accompanying their owners on vacations.
If you pet gets lost, please remember that your pet wants to find you, too. But fear, confusion, or injury may overwhelm and confuse your pet, making your advance planning the best chance for a happy reunion.
Your Plan
- One sure way not to lose your cat (or to greatly reduce the chance that she will get lost) is to keep her indoors or only take her outside on a properly fitted halter and lead. Also, make sure screens fit tightly in windows and doors, and make sure that doors are closed tightly.
- Always equip your cat with a properly fitted collar and ID tag (or microchip) with your pet's name, and your current phone number, including area code. Remember to keep your information up to date.
- Always keep a recent picture of your pet to use in case he or she does get lost. This will help when making flyers.
If your cat gets lost, there are some things you can immediately do to help increase your chances of being reunited:
- Begin your search immediately. As soon as you realize she is gone, no matter what time of day or the weather, start looking. Look around the area where she was lost at night time or early morning (when she might be looking for food or water) and bring her favorite food.
- Ask everyone you can if they have seen your cat. This includes postal carriers, neighbors, etc.
- Make flyers that include your cat's picture (this is where a recent photo is a plus), your phone number, and that offer a reward. Give the flyers to vets, post on street lamps, telephone poles, garbage dumpsters, front doors, mail boxes, etc. Some stores (like pet shops) will let you post flyers in their breezeway.
- Place a lost ad in the newspaper, include your phone number and reward. This is free of charge in most cities and can be renewed indefinitely. In Albuquerque, call the Albuquerque Journal at 823-4444 to place your lost ad.
- Register your pet as missing with animal welfare agencies. In Albuquerque, contact Albuquerque Animal Humane at 255-5523, ACAT at 323-2228, PACA at 255-0544, and New Mexico Animal Friends at 881-7297.
- Visit your local animal shelter regularly. In Albuquerque, visit the Albuquerque Animal Services Shelter at 8920 Lomas NE or the shelter at 11800 Sunset Gardens, SW. Call Animal Services at 768-1975 for hours of operation. By law, any stray must be kept at the shelter for a minimum of 4 days. If the animal is wearing a collar with tag and/or has a tatoo, it must be kept 7 days. Visit the shelter in person at least 2 times per week to check for your cat.
Remember that cats often hide under sheds, in bushes, and away from yards with dogs in them. Most lost cats don't go very far, so concentrate your search on a small area, and increase the span of your search as your resources permit. But, even a very friendly cat, when lost, is apt to hide, even from her owner.
Don't despair. Don't give up hope prematurely. It might take months, literally, to find your pet so don't stop looking and don't stop placing your lost ads. A.C.A.T. volunteers have been reunited with their own or foster pets after months of separation.