What To Do If Your Pet Becomes Lost

Losing a pet is one of the scariest parts of being a pet owner, but there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of bring home your four-legged family member safe and sound.

Before the worst-case scenario happens, make sure your pet is wearing a sturdy collar with tags at all times. The best way to ensure that your pet will be reunited with you if they are found is to get them a microchip. A microchip is a tiny implant that contains your contact information and can be easily updated if your information changes. If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, please give us a call at 214-742-7722 to make your appointment today.

When your pet does become lost, here are some steps you can take to try to reunite with your pet:

Search nooks and crannies inside your home to make sure your pet isn’t hiding. Fireworks, thunder, or even visitors to your home can cause your pet to panic and hide – and some animals are really good at it! Closets, cabinets and drawers are common hiding spots you’ll want to check.

Call your local animal shelter daily and visit their lost and found center often. Citizens who find stray animals are instructed to take them to the municipal shelter in the city the animal was recovered in. Check with municipal shelters in neighboring cities as well.

Post your pet’s photo and information to local Lost/Found groups on social media. Nextdoor and other community information sharing sites are also good places to spread the word about your missing pet.

Contact your pet’s microchip company, veterinarian and the shelter you acquired your pet from and let them know that your pet is missing.

Print flyers with your pet’s picture, information and your contact details. Post these around your community.

The most important thing to remember is not to lose hope. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months to recover a lost pet.