LOST / MISSING PETS

Prevention is better than cure.. Micro Chipping Having your pets micochipped as soon as you can is quite possibly the biggest thing you can do to increase the chances of being reunited with you pet and is in fact a legal requirement for Dogs and will also be required by law for cats shortly and if you ever wish to travel abroad with your pets, you will need to have them microchipped so they can be identified and checked against their paperwork so well worth having this done at an early stage. The chip resembles a grain of rice in size and shape and is injected just below the skin, usually in the neck area, its no more painful than having an injection and if you are having your pets spayed, the vet will often do it at the same time while they are asleep. A Microchip cost around £20-30 and your details as well as your pets will then be added to one or more of the pet databases. Should they be found, the chip can be scanned easily using a hand held scanner which all vets have and you can be contacted using the details on the database and reunited with your pet. Having your pet microchipped can also help should your pet be stolen or go missing and someone else finds them , it allows you to prove ownership of your pet and avoid any disputes. It it very important to keep the details updated on the database if you move, change phone numbers, the ownership of your pet changes or you take ownership of a pet. Their is usually a charge for updating your pets data. this either a one off fee to change the details each time or often they will also offer a lifetime subscription where you pay a slightly higher fee but for that, you can change your pets details as often as you like. Every Cat and Dog should be microchipped, not only is it the law but its really is just good practice and will give you the best chance of finding your pet should they go missing. Collars Collars with ya phone number tag can also be helpful but more with dogs than cats, cats as anyone who owns a cat will know have a great knack of being able to lose collars and any collar on a cat needs to be a safety collar in case it becomes snagged and often this means your little ones will come home minus the nice shiny new collar you have just put on them. So they are a good extra but never an alternative to a microchip. One tip is dont put the pets name on the collar, if your pet is stolen, it will make it easier for anyone to befriend them and should you find them, clearly the person who has them will not know their real name which is a giveaway. Trackers GPS trackers have become more popular and much smaller, these allow you to track your pets location in real time using a device attached to their collar, these usually require a monthly subscription and although getting much smaller, they still look big and clunky on cats and of course they are battery operated so you will need to either have a spare battery or keep them inside while you recharge the collar. What to do if your pet does go missing So the unthinkable has happened and you pet had gotten away, not returned or been stolen, what steps should you take. First…. Firstly lots of pets are not actually missing at all, they might well just be hiding or even stuck somewhere very close so time to check the house thoroughly Check every room in your house, this includes cellars, lofts and do a thorough check, looking behind everything, in every cupboard and box, under beds, behind curtains, under bed covers and in any small places they may hide. Check in washing machines, diswashers, ovens and tumble driers, many pets will be attracted to these for the warmth. If you have a chimney, check up there, this is a favorite for cats who love to climb and dont forget to check outside on the roof in case they have climbed up and out of the chinmey. Outside, check the garden including a thorough search of sheds, garages, greenhosues and other out buildings, if you have things like compost bins or water butts check inside them and do the same with your waste bins. Check under your car & in the engine bay, cats love to settle there on a nice warm engine. Think of where you have been around the home that day, have you opened anwhere your pet could get in to, if you have go back and check. If you have any work going on at your home such as building, check anywhere they may have gotten in to such as under floorboards, in wall cavities or anywhere they may have made a space big enough for your inquisitive pet to have gotten in to. Many times after a lot of calling and searching they will just appear and we might never found out where they were but if you do, be sure to try to prevent access next time. Step Two So you have searched the house from top to bottom, looked in the garden, garage and outbuildings and still no sign of the little one so its time for step two. Ask your neighbours to check their gardens, sheds, garages and outbuildinds, do this for around 5-10 houses either side of yours and any houses that may back on to your property and even opposite. Just making the neighbours aware your pet is missing even if they dont find it will help have more eyes looking, print a picture with your contact number and leave one with each neighbour. If anyone is not in, do make sure to go back later, just popping a leaflet through the door might get overlooked, a visit from you will more than likely mean they will take a look and will be more likely to be on the lookout for the little one. Step 3 If you pet is microchipped, its time to use it so firstly call the database your pet is registered with and report it missing, then if anyone does call trying to check or change the details, they will be alerted and contact you. Give Petlog a call 01296 737600, they will log your pet as lost, you can also check any reports on their website at www.petlog.org.uk, Petlog is a great resource used by most of the animal rescue centres to try and reunite onwers with their pets. Email all your locat vets practices, a list of all the local vets in the area we cover can be found Here, if someone finds your pet, they will take it to their nearest vets and emiling them with a picture and your contact details will mean they have the details there on record if your pet is brought in. Try to avoid phoning as they are usually busy and things like this might get lost. Do the same with local rescue centres and groups such as the RSPCA, Cats Protection etc. again email if possible including a picture of your pet and your contact details. Call the local council’s Environmental Health Department. they will be able to tell you if a cat matching your description has been found killed on the road, a hard call to make so do be prepared for possible bad news. sadly lots of councils have no way to check for microchips, so they will not contact owners but lots of local groups are now springing up with scanners who do offer to scan any pets found. Step 4 Time to get the word out there and get people looking for your little one, if you have Pet Insurance check your policy as lots cover the cost of advertising or a reward for lost pets which may help. If you are in our area, please email us if you need help printing leaflets or laminating ones to go on lamp posts, we will gladly help where possible. So time to get leaflets throug doors in the local area and signs on lamp posts, bust stops and anyhwere lots of people will see it. Leaflets / posters should include a photograph of your cat, a picture will stick in peoples minds much more than ‘He is black and white with a red collar’. A description of your pet, remember to give things that will identify them from others but try to leave out one item so you can check with anyone who calls ro make sure it is your pet before you have to travel and make sure you include where and when you last saw them, again this will help people as they may have seen that cat before then so it cant possibly be yours.. Of course include your contact details and make the poster/leaftlet easy to read as people pass or see it and make sure you get plenty, if they are going to outside you will need either some plastic pockets or for them to be laminated so they are weatherproof and some cable ties to attach them. Please remember not to nail posters to trees or do any permanent damage when putting up posters on other peoples property. So now you have them ready where do you put them….. • Post them through every door in your immediate area • Post them in nearby roads. • Ask local shops to put one on display • Ask other local businesses supermarkets, post offices, church’s and local pet stores • Ask local vets to display one You can also use the time spent distributing them to also have a look around for your pet, check any posters you see as they may be looking for the onwer of the cat you are looking for. Display one in your car window and ask friends and family to do the same so people can see them while you are out and about. Also give one to your post person, they walk the whole of your area so who better to possibly spot your little one and ask local pet sitters, dog walkers etc. to keep an eye out. Maybe offer a reward of some kind, it does not have to be cash, people will be more than happy with a bottle of wine or some choccys, again check if your insurance offers any help with leaflets and rewards. Step 5 So you have called everyone, informed the microchip people, posted leaflets and flyers, what other things can you do around your property to help them find their way home….. • Leave your pet's favourite toys or used bedding in a sheltered area of your garden • Do the same with a used item of your clothing, cats have an amazing sense of smell • If its dry why not use your washing line to hang them on, this will make the smell travel further • If you have some used cat littera put this outside If a pet can smell a familiar scent, it will help them find their way back home and keep them in the local area if they are lost. Cats who are lost, injured or scared will often hide during the day and move at night when they feel safer, go out into your garden and the area around your home late at night or in the early hours, call for your cat and listen for a them, this is the most likely time you will heat them if they are stuck somewhere or trying to find you. Please remember to stay safe if you are going out searching at night or alone.

Step 6

Searching when its dark will often produce better

restuls than searching in the day but also makes

it harder, make sure you take a phone and if

possible a torch, some food for your pet and a

carrier or something to put them in

remembering most cats hate carriers so you dont

want them running off at the sight of it.

Look around the local area, paying attention to any garages and empty properties and if it is safe to do so look in through windows and take estate agents details, give them a call and see if anoyne has been to view the property recently, send them an email of your poster just in case you pet has crept inside. When your searching remember to look at a cats level, get down under bushes, under vehicles etc. Call for your pet using their name and listen to see if they reply, if they are lost they want to find you as much as you want to find them so they will call back to you if they hear you. Search one area at a time giving time for you pet to get there to you before you move on to the next area and try to search areas next to each other. We have helped people search for their missing cat, created leaflets and thought all was lost only for them to call to say their cat had returned fit and well 4 even 6 weeks later, sometimes they may have gone in to another house and someone has mistaken them for a stray or they may just have gotten lost and taken a while to find their way home. What to do when someone contacts you about your pet ….. Sadly their are people who will waste your time calling about your missing pet, some may be genuine mistakes but their are also scammers who will try to get money for the return of your pet even of they dont have it. Their are some precautions you can and should take when anyone contacts you. Firstly ask them to take a picture of the pet and send it to you by email or text, this will show you straight away that they have actually found them and let you identify if it is your pet or not. Remember the items we said to leave out on the description ?, well ask them that, if its your cat then they should be able to give you the correct answer. If their number came up on your phone when they called, make a note of it, this can be helpful later if your pet is not returned. So you think they have found your pet ?, thats great but still take precautions when going to see anyone, never go to see them on your own, take someone with you and never agree to pay money for the return of your pet and do not pay any rewards until you are 100% sure it is your pet and its safely back in your possesion. Their are scams out there, some unscrupulous people have even been know to pose as rescue centres who supposedly have your cat and asking for payment for its return, rescue centres will never do this, yes if one does find it, it would be nice to give them a donation but they will never ask for payment for your pets return. Their are also unscruplous people who will say they have your animal and will harm it if you dont pay for its return, they will ask for money upfront at they will more than likely not even have your pet but maybe have seen your posters, never ever pay them anything up front, keep a record of all contact and contact the police.

Heather Glad shes having a stress free time at home with you both. Thanks for the photos, the girls love them.