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

        

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

    

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.

• http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-tips/posters-5555/
• http://www.adoptapet.com/blog/free-and-easy-template-lost-or-found-pet-flye/
• http://www.adoptapet.com/blog/uploads/2011/04/Lost-Pet-Poster-template.doc
• http://www.adoptapet.com/blog/uploads/2011/04/Found-Pet-Poster-template.doc
• http://www.lostpetusa.net/create-a-lost-pet-poster

"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