LOST PET PREVENTION: The Top Nine Reasons Dogs Go Missing

After a Facebook post "why are so many dogs going missing?" generated loads of comments and discussion, I just kept thinking.....what if some owners aren't aware of some of the reasons animals go missing? Perhaps you've never owned a skilled escape dog, but your new one is suddenly spending more time outside of the yard than in the yard, or maybe you've been lucky and never had these scenarios occur at your home. Since any or all of these can happen to just about any of us, we thought we'd dig into some of the situations which contribute to lost dogs.

Step-By-Step Process for Finding A Missing Animal

Pet parents ~ this information was written specially to help you launch a search for your missing family member. Having a lost animal can be a terribly upsetting experience, and a confusing one also, as there are so many things which need to be done quickly to optimize the chances of a successful recovery. We've broken it down into categories that are easy to follow AND essential information to share and discuss with your search team of volunteers, friends, neighbors, etc. Please read and pass on to anyone you know who is missing a beloved family member!

Lost Pet Prevention:

Accidents happen, absolutely; even to the most careful pet parents. 

We talk a lot on our Facebook page about planning ahead and having a mindset of "Safety for the Whole Family". thinking proactively, and how to ensure safety is always a priority in our homes. The reality is that it takes just seconds for a dog or cat to slip past us - even when we're being careful - especially with visitors, small children, etc. 

Blocking Off Potential Escape Routes: Despite our best efforts, furry friends often manage to get loose, so today we're going to look at a simple way to prevent front door escapes.

Lost Pet Prevention: Spring Edition

"Prevention of Lost Pets" is a topic we've focused quite a bit on over the last decade, encouraging thoughtful actions, safe habits, and a mindset of avoiding tragedy. No judgement!! This is us saying "hey, as a young, inexperienced pet parent I didn't think of these things" - and by passing it on to you now - together we can prevent animals from getting lost. Always Think First = #SafetyForTheWholeFamily

Thank You Foster Pet Parents | My First Time Letting Go

You know what's weird? When you realize you've been saying something for a long time, thinking that you understood, but you didn't really quite get it. Then one day, a situation becomes personal and only then do you discover how much you didn't know at all. I've been telling other people for a while things like "that's so great you volunteer as a foster", or "gosh, it must be hard to let them go", but until today I don't think I ever realized what it was really like. I'm a permanent type of rescuer, as we've always gone to adopt our animals for life, to bring them into our home for good. We often find or end up with ones that need extra attention or special care, and for that reason they wind up being forever furry family members.

The Crisis of Unwanted Animals: Why are so many pets being given up or dumped?

I've been working with lost and found pets since 2011, and just wanted to let you know.....I have never seen things quite as bad as they are right now. Our area shelters and rescues are MAXED OUT - full to capacity with dumped and unwanted animals, and there is no facility, rescue, or organization large enough to house them all. It's very simple; if animals keep pouring in, some of the other ones are eventually going to be euthanized for lack of space, and even "no kill" facilities are going to be faced with hard choices because animals cannot be warehoused in overcrowded buildings forever (that's neither humane or fair to the animals).

Missing Pet? Go to your Local Shelter Facilities!

Your pet has been missing - maybe the new puppy slipped out the door, or your cat escaped through an open window....and you're understandably frantic. You've probably already contacted the SPCA, animal control facility, local Humane Society, etc....but have you gone there? Taken a flyer for them to post in the lobby and on their social media? Don't delay, go TODAY!

New Rescue Dog? Avoid Escapes and Missing Pets During the Adoption Process

As many of you are aware, one of the most difficult situations involving a lost dog is those which escape when newly adopted or rescued. When this happens, without time for a bond to be formed, recovery of a terrified animal in a new environment is challenging at best. While this topic should absolutely be covered in greater detail, I'm including the following information which I feel is most important.

Lost & Found Pet Resources for the Delmarva Peninsula

The following information is a listing of Facebook pages for animal control facilities, humane societies, shelters and missing pet networks across the Delmarva Peninsula. The area called Delmarva technically includes the state of Delaware (three counties), eastern shore of Maryland (nine counties), and the eastern shore of Virginia (two counties).

A Step-By-Step Guide For Missing Animal Recovery

The search for a missing pet requires a number of steps and specific actions, which can certainly feel overwhelming during such a stressful time. Our "13 Step Lost Pet Recovery Plan" has been carefully written and using real information gathered from searches we have been for the last fourteen years, as well as from successful recovery efforts, and outlines many of the essential actions to take.

Searching For A Missing Pet? Why We Say "Do Not Delay"

Lost pet? Post everywhere and anywhere to notify the community that your animal is missing. DO NOT DELAY! Getting flyers out to the neighborhood, ordering a FindToto.com alert, contacting animal control and local businesses, veterinarians offices, shelters and more are critical steps. And yet? Over and over again we see owners who wait for days to start doing these things.

It Is Not "Their Fault", It Is Our Fault

This Facebook post came across my newsfeed today, bringing with it's words and image a message that urgently and desperately needs to be read. I don't know who "Zach" is but I'm damn glad he had the guts to put this out there. You - the public - there are things you NEED to know.

13-Step Missing Pet Recovery Plan

Having a lost animal can be a terribly upsetting experience, and a confusing one also, as there are so many things which need to be done quickly to optimize the chances of a successful recovery. We've broken it down into categories that are easy to follow AND essential information to share and discuss with your search team of volunteers, friends, neighbors, etc. Please read and pass on to anyone you know who is missing a beloved family member!

Springtime Pet Safety Tips

As the weather warms up and people get outside and begin traveling more, potential dangers for pets  increases.

      

Halloween Pet Safety | Important Tips for Dogs and Cats

Halloween is coming up and it offers an excellent opportunity to practice what we call "planning for the entire family". As with any holiday, this is a day which can be a lot of fun for humans but which can be confusing, stressful and even dangerous for our pets. Now is an excellent time to gather all the members of your household - including even the younger kids - and review a few basics for the animals. Children can understand simple concepts that candy will make the dog sick, or that strange sounds could scare their four-legged friends. Stress to everyone that by following a few basic rules this will ensure that all members of the family can enjoy a safe and happy evening.

Emergency Preparedness and Your Pets: "Planning For The Whole Family"

If our area was in the path of a major storm, would you be prepared? Would your family be able to relocate on short notice and plan adequately for your animals? It's easy for humans to just get in the car and go but when transporting pets some extra planning is necessary. We've all seen the images from New Orleans, Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, and the next superstorm could be the one that affects us and our families. Get in the habit of thinking "Prevention, Rather than Panic".

 

"What To Do When Your Pet is STILL MISSING" | Recovery Tips, Part II

Our goal is to reunite families during one of the most stressful times and situations, having a lost cat, dog, or other family member. It's a tough thing to go through, and as the days drag on, it can feel overwhelming and very confusing to know what to do and how to proceed. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND - if your pet is still not home, you may need to rethink your process, change up what is being done, and broaden your search efforts, because not every animal is as easy to locate.

Found A Loose or Wandering Dog or Cat? Here's How To Help

Can I keep or give away a pet I find? No. It is not your property to re-home, sell or keep, and more than likely there is an owner searching for their furry family member. Here is what to do:

1) Report it to the local facility for your area which handles stray pets. This may not always be the closest shelter to you, but it would be the one that has a contract to pick up and hold stray animals. By doing this you are placing a report in the system so if an owner is searching and files a lost pet report hopefully there will be a match.

2, Take the pet to a shelter or local vet to be scanned for a microchip. If there is one that may lead you right to the owner.

3, Post publicly on sites such as Craigslist, Facebook, putting up flyers in the area the animal was found, etc.

4, Do not assume that the dog or cat you found was dumped, unwanted, abused, neglected or unloved. Even the very best pet parents have had situations where a beloved four-legged family member escaped. It can happen in an instant and accidents are always possible. Don't assume that you know the entire situation.

If you find a pet and must bring it to a shelter NOT IN THE immediate area:

We need to mention this again, as from time to time we will learn of a pet which was picked up in one state and taken to another. If this is you and you MUST bring it to a shelter other than it's immediate area, follow up with the local animal control in the area you found it to file a found report.

EXAMPLE: If you find a wandering dog in Ocean City, Maryland while on vacation from Virginia, and being unsure where a nearby shelter may be, you decide to transport the animal back home with you to Virginia. Now it would be essential to contact our local Worcester County animal control in Snow Hill, MD to file a found report. Why? Because if that is the county the dog went missing from it's, likely where the owner has filed a lost report or posted a flyer.

Keep in mind that the laws indicate that "every reasonable attempt must be made to find the owner". That includes doing a number of things such as the tasks listed above. If you are unable to do these things to attempt a reunion, please hand the dog over to the shelter so they can follow the steps to share with the public.

Please do not overlook the things required when you find a stray. Some where an owner or family may be heart-broken over a missing pet and following these steps is the right thing to do.

Lost Pet PR | Delmarva's Lost and Found Network

Covering Delaware and the Eastern Shore 

counties of Maryland and Virginia

    

Thanksgiving for Pet Parents | What To Know To Keep Your Animals Safe

Over the years we have seen many cases of missing animals on Thanksgiving Day. It's not unusual for things to happen when you have a lot of people in your house or when you are out of town in a strange place. Pets get loose when miscommunications occur, when they are dashing around the house excitedly or when someone forgets to leash before opening the front door. Whether you are packing up the minvan for a road trip or hosting a dinner for several dozen relatives, don't overlook the safety of your four-legged friends.

Making Signs And Flyers For Your Lost Pet

Many people hesitate to create signage and flyers for their lost pets. Perhaps you aren't sure how to make them or don't have a printer but they are one of the most important things to do right away. Here are some of the basics that you need to know to get started with your missing pet search effort.