|
|
|
|
|
|
Everyone who has had a lost or missing pet knows the heartache
associated with that absence. The sad fact is that over 90% of pets without proper identification are never
reunited with their family.
|
|
So, we need to make sure that we do everything possible to make sure that our pets don’t stray or get
lost, but if that happens, then they have the best chance possible of returning home.
|
| Here is some important information about missing pets: |
|
|
 |
|
|
 Pet Identification |
 Pet ID Tags
A lost or missing pet is a real heartache, and Vets Own Pet Health Insurance helps you find your
lost or missing pet as quickly as possible. We provide each dog and cat with a colourful plastic ID tag that is
lightweight, and long wearing.
The tag has the Vets Own Pet Health Insurance hotline number, that is staffed 24/7. If
someone finds a pet with a Vets Own Pet Health Insurance ID Tag, they can ring the hotline, and their details are
noted. We then contact you to let you know where your pet is.
If you pet is injured, and needs urgent treatment, then we arrange to have your pet transferred to the closest
available vet for the necessary emergency treatment. You will need to pay for this treatment, but it will
be covered by your insurance.
Microchips
Microchips are the size of a grain of rice, and injected
under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. Each
microchip contains a unique 16-digit number, which is
recorded as part of the council registration, as well
as a central database. The microchip number is also
stored on the Vets Own Pet Health Insurance pet register.
The microchip number is read with a special electronic
scanner – vets and pounds have these scanners,
and can read the chip details. The registry is then
contacted, and the owner of the lost pet is contacted.
|
 |
| Be prepared - plan ahead |
De-sex your pet
If you do not intend breeding your dog or cat, then they should be de-sexed. Both male and females.
De-sexed dogs and cats live longer healthier and happier lives, and are much less inclined to stray or wander off.
Keep your address details up to date
Make sure that your pet is microchipped, and that you keep your address details up to date with the local
council. Keep Vets Own office up to date with your details if you move.
Pets safe and secure
Good secure fences, gates and yards are essential for family pets. Make sure that your fences are in good
condition, with self-closing gates. Train your children to be careful so the pets do not follow them. Building
renovations can be a very hazardous time, with pets wandering off to escape the noise and turmoil.
Inside at night
Do not allow pets to stay out after dusk. Feed them every evening, and then make sure they stay inside from
then on. This will also reduce the chances of your pet being involved in an accident, or being attacked by
another animal.
|
|
| What to do if your pet goes missing... |
Action is important
The single most important thing in finding a missing pet is to act promptly, and not to give up too quickly.
We have helped hundreds of lost pets be reunited with their families, even after many weeks and months of absence.
Tell the neighbours
Prepare a number of copies of your missing pet flyer, with a detailed description, and with a photo if possible.
Be security conscious – don’t include your
name and address on the flyer, just your phone numbers.
Have a companion when you walk the neighbourhood. Don’t
walk after dark alone. Offer a reward, but do not specify
how much. If asked what the reward is, reply, “we
will discuss that when we find our pet – if it
is a child who finds our pet, we will discuss with their
parents what is appropriate.”
Canvass your neighbourhood, calling your pet’s
name. Knock on neighbours’ doors, and ask them
if they have seen your pet. Give them a flyer. If they
are not home, slide a flyer under the front door where
it will be seen on their return.
Tape a flyer on every post and pole you can find.
You will find that the entire neighbourhood will join in and help.
And when you do find your pet, remember to stop by and let people know, and thank them, with a found flyer
to replace your lost pet flyer.
Hiding places
Pets often go missing very close to home. Check under
the house, inside a car (on the engine is a good place
to find a cat), and in the garage. Once I crawled under
our house to find our lost kitten, without success.
We then followed its cries only to discover it inside
a chest of drawers curled up with my socks in the bedroom!
Search garages etc for a cat that has been curious
and gone off exploring. Take a torch to search, and
ask your neighbours to check their garages.
Food
Prepare a favourite meal in the usual feeding place.
Ensure that the doors are open so the pet can return - this is especially important for cats that can
wander off and go to sleep in a secluded place.
Contacts List
You should make a list and contact the following
with your pet and contact details. Ring them each day
for any news. Make your contact list quite wide, not
just your immediate vicinity.
- Local veterinary hospitals and clinics.
- Pounds.
- Councils.
- Animal Welfare organisations.
- Schools - ask for an announcement inb class assembly.
If there is the slightest chance that your pet has been found, you must make a visit to personally see
for yourself as soon as possible.
Advertise
Take out a missing pet ad in your local papers.
Start with a photo of your pet (make sure you keep up
to date photos of your pets), with the offer of a reward.
Run this ad for at least 3 weeks, and then if your
pet is still missing, run an ad in the lost and found
section for another 6 months.
Make sure you read the lost and found sections in each
edition of every newspaper.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
