Steps to Find a Lost Pet
What Should I Do If My Pet Is Missing?
DON'T EVER ASSUME that your pet was stolen or will come back on its own.
VISIT local animal shelters within 24 hours of losing your pet. Most shelters hold stray animals only 72 hours so be sure to return every 48 hours.
ASK to check the ISOLATION and QUARANTINE kennels when visiting shelters. Also ask about any animal that may have been picked up deceased.
POST lost pet cards or flyers on lost & found boards at local shelters, veterinary clinics, and other public bulletin boards when available.
LOOK for your pet during the day AND AT NIGHT. Call and whistle for your pet. Stay in one place long enough for your pet to respond to your call.
CALL nearby veterinary offices to see if your pet was
brought in as an injured stray. Leave your name, any phone numbers where
you can be reached and a description/picture of your pet.
PLACE a lost pet ad in local papers under the lost & found
column.
READ the lost & found column for found stray animals.
CHECK all the shelters in the area (pdf, 28.9kB). Your pet could end up at any one of them.
DON'T GIVE UP! Often a pet will not arrive in a shelter for weeks and sometimes even months after first becoming lost.