Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Lost and Found Pet Network: 2015

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Lost for 7 Years: a Cat Returns Home

Reunited after 7 years!! This article offers an update on a long-lost pet...."It turns out Lutece is a French kitty. His owner only speaks French to him at home. KC Pet Project said when his owner first saw the cat, he started speaking French to him as he did so long ago. Lutece, who had been a very quiet cat, immediately began meowing back loudly and extending his paw to his owner through the kennel door."

http://www.kctv5.com/story/28779299/cat-and-owner-reunited-after-7-years

But part of me - the part that sees the numbers of animals put to sleep each week, month, year; the part of me that wants to stem the tide of needless deaths and slap the people who complain loudly about those "awful shelters" that kill animals - wants to ask "why wasn't your cat fixed"? In the seven years he went wandering this single feline could have been responsible for SO MANY animals being born, suffering and dying.

Spay and neuter your pets. Not only will an altered cat or dog be calmer and less likely to have health issues later in life, they have less of a tendency to roam and become lost. It's just being a good pet parent!

Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Missing Pet Network

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Lost Pet Recovery: "How to Understand and Catch a Timid or Fearful Dog"

Lost Pet PR offers many tips and a lot of informational notes to educate you, the owners. Accidents happen and despite our best efforts things go wrong and pets get loose. We want you to realize what can be done and actively launch a search for your missing pet. We urge all owners to get in the habit of thinking "Rely on the system less - do more yourself."

WHY ** DO NOT CHASE ** IS SO IMPORTANT:

Here's what you need to know about your lost dog. Once an animal is running loose, possibly panicked or fearful, the entire dynamics of your relationship change. This note is to help you understand what to do/not to do and how body language plays a part in establishing communication with your missing pet. (Note: make sure to go over this with your search team so everyone is on the same page).

UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION:

** A lost dog "may" come right to you but often they panic and go into survival mode where fear is stronger than food or knowing who you are.

** Fearful pets may run from even their beloved owner. It can be very upsetting to see that but you need to stay calm and not react negatively.

** Do not have carloads of people riding around screaming the dog's name as that alone can cause them to hide, run further or increase their fear.

** Encourage immediate reports of all sightings but stress to everyone not to chase or rush at the dog.

** Share this note and information with your entire team of searchers.

IF YOU COME FACE TO FACE WITH YOUR LOST DOG (8 things to know):

1. Your behavior and actions should remain slow, non-threatening and neutral.

2. Do not make direct eye contact as that can trigger them into running.

3. Slowly lower yourself to the ground and sit or lie down. Do not make sudden movements.

4. Keep your head down and not faced directly at the dog.

5. Have your attention-getting treat bag handy and slowly toss a treat in their direction. Make sure you don't head out without the treat bag. SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE TREAT BAG

6. Speak softly and calmly but in a monotone voice and only if that does not increase their fear level.

7. If they back away stop talking and continue to toss treats until you build up enough trust to encourage them to come closer.

8. Sudden movements can cause them to run. ONLY reach for the dog if you are SURE you can grab a collar or drop a leash around their neck. It's better to wait another 15 or 30 minutes reinforcing a safe environment than to risk a leap that can set you back for hours or days.

TREAT BAG NOTES:
Use of a crinkly type material which can attract their attention in a positive way is recommended, such as foil or waxed paper. This often will hold their interest while providing a familiar and reassuring sound. Use smelly treats such as cut up hot dogs, meaty bits, cheese, etc.

FOR MORE INFO READ THESE ARTICLES:
http://nodogaboutit.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/why-your-lost-dog-may-not-run-back-to-you/
http://patch.com/connecticut/naugatuck/do-not-chase-lost-dog-0

KEEP IN MIND:
The recovery process doesn't run according to your schedule. It works around what the animal does, their behavior and how soon you are able to establish a trusting environment.

Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Lost and Found Pet Network

"REUNITING FAMILIES IS OUR GOAL"

Covering the Eastern Shore areas of Maryland and

Virginia and including the state of Delaware

Friday, December 11, 2015

Important Information about Pet Microchips and How to Trace a Found Pet

Resources and sites aboutpet microchips, how to trace unregistered chips, informational articles and more.

Dead end chip? Visit http://www.illyria.com/tagtrace.html for details

"5 Things You Didn’t Know About AAHA’s Pet Microchip Lookup Tool"

Original post found at at the Maryland Animal Law Center's facebook page:

"5 Things You Didn’t Know About External Pet ID"

AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup site http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/

April 2016 article from the UK "Obey the rules or it may come back to bite you: Dog owners have 48 hours to get their pets chipped or face a hefty fine:

Flyers, Signs and Getting the Word Out about your Lost Pet

Make a flier with a current picture of your pet, and ALWAYS include city, state and your phone number. Don't waste valuable time with people having to ask how to reach you or where the pet was lost; include the info right on your poster and keep it short and simple.

Many people are unsure of how to go about making fliers and signage for their missing pet. Here are some useful links to help you make one online.

"Tagging your vehicle" is something we encourage owners to do while out searching for their lost pets. It's useful on several levels because it allows you a chance to post your flier more visibly and warns drivers that there is a loose pet running in the area. It also identifies you as someone searching for a missing pet so if you are cruising an area repeatedly the neighbors will realize your intentions.

Go to a hardware store for glass markers and letter up as many vehicles as you can. If possible tape a flier to a rear window so people can see the rest of the info.....do not block your view of course. Have an extra van or SUV? Letter it up and park by a busy intersection to attract attention to your search (always get permission before parking though). See more on tagging here - http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-tagging.php.

We encourage you to make fliers up in several sizes. Here is an example of a standard 8-1/2" x 11" one page color flier suitable for telephone poles and public bulletin boards around the community. Remember to place them in ZipLoc bags for protection from the rain. In addition you should enlarge several to be made into road signs for intersections and near your home.

Shown here is the same flier but in a smaller version which fits four per page. These are useful to hand out to people.

More about fliers on our facebook page here.

Please be responsible in removing ALL posters and signage for your missing pet once it is found. Each time that someone fails to do that, litter is created and more people will oppose the next attempt to put up fliers in the future. Please do the right thing and clean up everything you post!

Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Lost and Found Pet Network
"REUNITING FAMILIES IS OUR GOAL"
Covering the Eastern Shore areas of Maryland and
Virginia and including the state of Delaware

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Safe Pet Tips for a Happy Thanksgiving

Gearing up for a holiday road trip? Pet owners, this is information you need to read and steps to follow to check that you have everything in place before you go. One of the best ways to prepare for an event or occasion is to to gather your family for a discussion BEFORE THE HOLIDAY.

We see so many cases of animals being lost simply from miscommunication about who was in charge, which child was to have the dog leashed before opening the door, where the pet was supposed to stay, etc. You can fix this!! There is not much more of a heartbreaking situation than pets which escape during travel or on a holiday and then casting that shadow over the entire family. Please plan ahead.

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

Things happen when you have a lot of people in your house.

An accident can happen in seconds at a rest stop off the highway.
Animals in strange situations can be skittish or bolt suddenly.
Being prepared is always best.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL:

ID tags with current info (not the address/phone number where you used to live)
Collars that fit. If your pet tends to slip out of them, get a harness.
6' leashes for walking in strange places and at rest stops. Not retractables.
Crate or carrier for smaller animals and cats.
Seat belt harness for large dogs riding in the car. Pet supply stores sell ones that buckle right into your car. These help to keep a pet from flying through the air should you stop suddenly or have an accident.

PRE-TURKEY DAY CHECKLIST:

Have a safe, quiet place for the furry friends to hang out away from the food and noise.

Don't let animals wander around a packed house as someone will likely leave a door open and the dog or cat will escape.

Make a list for the family about keeping pets away from trash and dangerous food items, who's in charge of walking them, etc. Review this list with everyone including the kids.

Known where the nearest emergency vet is and have their phone number available. While you probably won't need it, should something happen this is useful information to have.

No table food for pets. Some plain turkey is ok, after you have picked out the bones, but for the most part avoid upsetting your pet's stomach with rich and unfamiliar treats which can make them sick.

Remember that prevention is always best. Taking a few minutes to plan ahead for the animals ensures that everyone will enjoy a great holiday.

Established in 2011 as Delmarva's original lost pet network, we now cover Sussex County, Delaware along with the lower eastern shore of Maryland and Accomack & Northampton Counties in Virginia.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Pets Lost on Vacation: Tips for Finding a Lost Dog or Cat

Searching for a missing pet is already a very stressful event. Imagine if you are on vacation, however - unsure of the county or state facilities for animal control, not knowing who to contact or how to launch a recovery effort - that makes the process ten times more complicated! Having a list of resources and action steps to take can be a huge help in finding a lost family member successfully. Below is our "13 Step Missing Pet Recovery Plan", designed to get you up and running quickly.

What To Do If You Find A Loose, Wandering or Lost Pet

If you find and decide to hold onto a pet rather than take it to the shelter, the law requires that certain steps need to be taken. The animal must be reported as found, and "every reasonable effort made to locate the owner".

1. You have to file a found report with local shelters, humane societies, animal control. If you are in Delaware here is the link to the state-wide lost/found site.

2. You must advertise that this animal was found. Ideally, leave some minor detail out that only the owner would know - i.e., small scar on left leg, etc. Things like that is one way you can ensure the person claiming to be the owner is legit.

3. You have to plan on keeping the found pet for the same amount of time as a stray hold, minimum 5 days, 7-10 would be better. Why? the animal could have been lost for quite some time, possibly from out of the area or even stolen.

4. Plan to thoroughly interview anyone who claims to be the owner. A picture printed off the computer is NOT proper identification. Ask for vet records, dog license, vaccine paperwork.

5. If you are not able to follow all these steps please take the dog to animal control so it can be properly listed, posted, etc.

Make sure to confirm that you are handing a pet over to the correct owner. If you have ANY questions about the person trying to claim a pet, please contact animal control. Be aware that pets do sometimes go missing from out of the area. A time frame of 5 to 7 days is not considered unreasonable as you are making attempts to locate a pet's family.

Not only is is fair to an owner for you to try and reunite the animal, it's the law. These situations below are illustrating found pets, which were then given away as free. Without filing a found report or having the animal scanned for a possible microchip, the chances of recovery fade each time that animal might now be rehomed or placed again.

The screenshot on the left shows someone is trying to explain what needs to be done as far as filing a found report, scanning, etc. Screenshot on the right indicates someone is taking the dog. No where do we see it was reported to animal control, scanned for a microchip or fliers made and posted to try and locate the owner.

Here is an example of another dog which was assumed to have been dumped and is now being given away.

If you cannot do these things take the animal to the shelter please where it can be publicly posted, scanned, etc. Giving a found pet away is NOT the answer.

NOTE: Laws and requirements differ between counties and states. An example of that is this note from Dorchester County Dog Control (MD) clarifying legal info for their specific area. See the post on their Facebook page here.