Microchip your pets and for a cat use one of these 'kittycollars', www.kittycollars.co.uk for details, to ensure your pet has the best chance of re united with you should he or she go walkabout or be involved in an accident.
It is just terrible when your pet goes missing as you imagine everything that could possibly happen to the little mite. You worry like mad until their return.
I know exactly how you feel as one of our much loved cats went missing - Rolo. Eventually we got her back safe and well - after eight weeks! We looked everywhere for her, asked everyone in the area and lost many nights sleep!
Amazingly, more than one dog each day is reported as stolen throughout the UK. They are taken from homes, gardens, kennels, cars, stables and from outside shops! Some are dumped, some are used for breeding and some are sold on.
Once upon a time you could rely on the local dog warden finding a dog and taking it to the nearest kennel. Not any more! Sadly kennels become so overcrowded that a dog found in the North maybe in a kennel in the Midlands. What chance is there to re unite a dog with its owner if the dog isn't microchipped. Next to none.
After just 7 days, if the owner has not come forward to claim the animal, the animal can be legally put to sleep. Just think if this was your much loved pet! How would you feel?
Cats are more independent than dogs and are therefore more likely to go missing. Felines can easily climb into vans, cars and lorries through an open door or window and be transported, unwittingly, by the driver to who knows where. Then the door of the vehicle is opened and the cat flees the scene!
They can become accidentally locked in sheds, garages and outbuildings and can even get trapped inside your own cupboards - I know this from personal experience!
HOW TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF LOSING YOUR PET.
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NEUTER;
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MICROCHIP;
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SAFETY COLLAR.
And for cats we recommend that you pop one of the unique personalised collars, which can be purchased from'Kitty Collars', on your little mite as well as the microchip.This way your details can be clearly seen at a glance and you can be contacted much sooner if your cat is lost or injured. Please visit their website www.kittycollars.co.uk for details.
THERE ARE SOME POSITIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP FIND YOUR PET:-
YOUR HOME
Firstly, please check your home and garden very carefully as cats especially can get into the most unusual of places. Look inside cupboards, washing machines, microwaves, behind curtains and under duvets - leave no stone unturned! And, if you are having building work carried out check all nooks and crannies - even beneath the floorboards.
Outside, check your sheds, garages and greenhouses.
THE NEIGHBOURS
The next step is too ask all your neighbours - not just your immediate ones - to check their homes, sheds, garages, greenhouses and gardens for your missing pet. Giving them a flyer is a good idea containing your contact details and a photograph of your pet. Keep in contact and make sure they keep a look out.
TELEPHONE CALLS TO MAKE...
If your pet is microchipped then telephone the relevant registration company such Petlog or Identichip who are available 24/7. Your vet will have the contact number you need.
Alert ALL the vets in the area and pop up a poster in the practice. Go to www.any-uk-vet.co.uk for details of the vets in your area.
Contact ALL the local animal rescue centres and shelters in the area.
You should also telephone your local council's Environmental Health Department just to find out if a pet matching your description has been found dead on the road.
List your pet as missing on the regional and national lost and found registers. www.animalsearch.co.uk is one of the many free services available and for dogs there is the www.doglost.co.uk register.
POSTERS
Posters are invaluable in helping to find your missing pet but make sure you include the following information:-
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a photograph of your pet;
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a brief description of your pet - leave out one important detail just to check that anyone responding with information is genuine.
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the place and date your pet went missing;
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your contact telephone number;
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details of any reward.
Make plenty of copies as you are going to distribute them widely. Try the following places:-
Supermarkets, shops, newsagents, post offices, vets, library, pet shops, kennels, cattery, garages, fish and chip shops...anywhere at all in fact.
Schools, playgroups, social clubs, youth clubs, bingo halls, scout groups and the like.
Tie posters to telegraph poles, lamposts, bus shelters, post boxes and fence posts making sure they are either laminated or in polythene bags to keep the rain out.
Make sure the postman, milkman, window cleaner and regular walkers have a poster.
Cars are a good place to pop a poster - get everyone you know to display one.
E mail the posters to everyone you know asking them to do the same.
SMELLS...
Place some of your pets unwashed bedding in a sheltered area of your garden along with a favourite toy, contents of the Hoover bag, contents of the litter tray and an unwashed item of your own clothing. This will hopefully emit familiar smells and help to guide your pet home.
SEARCH
Late at night go into your garden and call of your missing pet as this is the time you are likely to get a response - make sure you listen.
Search the local area, again night time is better as it's quieter, calling your pets name and shaking a box of cat/dog biscuits.
USE THE MEDIA
Put the details of your lost pet on Fresh Radio's website www.freshradio.co.uk on their Help Desk page. The details can be seen on the web and the presenters will read out the details on his 'Fresh Pets' slot at 12.30 and 3.30 on weekdays. This is a free service;Get in touch with your local press - either a feature or an advert will help.
SCHOOLS
Ask local schools to get involved in the search.
Keep the issue alive and never, ever give up!
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