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

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.

Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Missing Pet Network

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.