We ask all of our local business owners in Ocean City, the Delaware beaches, and nearby areas of the Delmarva Peninsula, to consider saving our information which can be essential to pet owners should their animal escape. Vacation property owners, hotels and B&B facilities, vet offices and pet supply stores can all be so helpful during the search for a missing animal. If you'd be kind enough to share our information or save the links should they be needed, we'd be very grateful for your assistance!
"13 Steps for Lost Pet Recovery"
1) Do Not Delay: it is very important to begin looking for your lost pet immediately so please don't wait and just hope your furry family member will find it's way home.
2) Contact Animal Control: this would be the facility which handles lost & found pets in your county or city. Visit their website to file a missing pet report, email them a flyer and follow up via phone call. In addition, notify all shelters in your local area and check them daily in person.
3) Make Posters: create a missing pet flyer which includes info such as city, state, cross street or landmark, animal description and phone number, and distribute everywhere possible within a two mile radius. Find poster templates @ Flyers and Posters for Your Lost Pet.
4) Use Scent Items: articles such as your clothes and pet bedding will offer familiar smells to help them navigate home. If your pet escaped from home, use socks or a t-shirt you have worn, cut into strips and placed around the house and yard.
5) Understand Lost Animal Behavior: it is essential to realize that a fearful or skittish pet in "survival mode" will often run from people, even their own family. Never chase a scared animal as it will only panic and run from you. Read more about Why Not to Chase a Lost Dog.
6) Tag Your Vehicle: use glass markers to create a mobile billboard on your vehicle's windows, so while you are driving around your neighbors can be informed about a lost animal. See details @ Tagging Your Car.
7) Get the Word Out: adjust your Facebook settings to “public” so others can see and share, update your Facebook profile or cover photo with a lost pet flyer. Tag your neighbors and friends and start a Facebook page to raise awareness about this search effort.
8) Ask for Volunteers: recruit friends who can help walk the neighborhood, distribute flyers, check shelters, etc. Delegate tasks to your helpers as a full-scale recovery is a lot of work!
9) Order a Lost Pet Alert: There are several services such as FindToto.com which will contact nearby homes in your area. Visit their website and enter your location to target specific neighborhoods and streets.
10) Walk & Talk: "feet on the street" is the best way to get sightings while speaking with neighbors and residents. Distribute flyers and encourage them to call you immediately if they see your missing pet.
11) Make Signs: create large neon-colored posters for your home and to place at nearby intersections. Please read this important note about signage @ Intersection Signage.
12) Diversify Your Efforts: your goal is to quickly reach as many people as possible (within the first 24-48 hours). Distribute flyers to local vet offices, groomers, feed stores, community associations, online message boards and area businesses, saturating the area within a 2-mile radius.
13) Stay in Touch with Us: Follow our page posts as people may ask questions or might comment with information about a sighting.
We hope this information helps you get started right away on your search! Follow us on Facebook and at our social channels listed below.
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.
