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WHAT TO DO FIRST WHEN YOUR PET IS MISSING •
Grief
RESOURCES
& INSPIRATION
What to
do first when your pet is missing:
When you initially lose your animal is quite
difficult to think on your feet so there are things that may slip your
mind.
Get help, you are only one person, you cannot do it everything yourself,
but there are many loving and caring people who are waiting for opportunities
to help, especially animals and those that love them. This horribly
scary event can actually be a blessing in disguise bringing you and
your neighbors closer together. Do a lot of walking and talk
to everyone, especially children (they talk to each other and have a
network of knowledge about the area we adults have forgotten) and call
out a lot if your animal friend responses to calling. Sunrise and sundown
and around nine (bring flash light and look more quietly) are good times.
Rent humane traps and check often, no wet food at night because your
animal may have to fight another animal; there are rescue groups in
your local area that will help you
Immediately call your local animal shelters and report your animal missing.
It is better to go down there than to assume it is done. When you are
there ask for a list of rescue groups in your area. Some groups will
come to your area for a donation and help you find your animal.
Bring a flyer with you and post on the board as well as in the lost
and found binder.
If the animal continues to stay missing go (or have someone go for you)
to the shelters every five days or more.
Make sure you ask to see all the rooms. Often animals arrive at the
shelter hurt and are kept in another area until they have been treated.
Make flyers right away. Post them in your immediate area first, but
remember animals can travel and be picked up by well-meaning travelers,
so broadcast your information widely; community bulletin boards; coffee
places; flyers in people's mailboxes is actually illegal, but you can
put flyers in places that people habitually go, on there newspapers,
garbage cans, cars windshield, front porch, etc. One great way to get
the whole community involved is to post flyers in very high traffic
areas like popular shopping malls.
Put your animal's poster into the local paper as soon as possible. A
photo is more expensive but early on it is important to have a lot of
visibility.
Put a reward amount on all flyers. Describe your location, the animal’s
names, distinguishing marks, collars, etc, male or female, spayed or
not and quirks about your animal.
Look at all lost and found resources on line where you can post your
animal and also view found animals There are some local shelters also
have web (check for your local shelter) pages showing adoptable animals
Keep an eye out for services such as this in your county, near us in
Napa County California is this: www.co.napa.ca
Give flyers to: local vets, pet stores, community groups, and churches,
these are excellent resources because there is a built-in community
of people who communicate with each other.
Sometimes animals end up at the Humane Society so be sure to visit there
often and show pictures of your animal.
Post your information on Craigslist
with a link for a photo. Find out if there are local on line bulletin
boards for your community (for example in our community of California's
Sonoma County there is a a pet catagory in our local bulletin board
waccobb.net)
Call radio stations and ask them to mention your animal.
Be creative, and don't be afraid to use your
intuition, it can be a great resource—and remember to breath.
A good resource can be pet communicators. They are quite comforting
and help to locate an animal. There is an Animal Communicator directory
under their state at www.animaltalk.net
Here are a few who come highly recommended:
Annette Martin
It is said she actually works with the police department to locate lost
people. There is a wait to get an appt with her.
Carol
Robinson: Amazing gentle communicator with a great CD to guide you
through meditations to bring your animal home called Missing Animal
Resource and Meditation Guide
This heartfelt and comprehensive resource and meditation guide is custom
made for the person in search of a missing animal companion. The contents
are inspired from Carol’s own work as a professional animal communicator.
Carefully selected techniques are combined with a deep wisdom to offer
practical, effective, and compassionate support during this stressful
time.
Also included are two guided meditations led by Carol’s gentle
voice, interwoven with the soothing background music.
1. Basic search tips and practical suggestions about where to begin
and what steps to take.
2. A comprehensive and insightful message to empower, encourage, and
comfort the listener.
3. Golden cord meditation for relaxation and reflection to help guide
the animal home.
4. Oasis meditation to refreshen, rejuvenate and inspire solace for
the listener. Beneficial both during the search and after the animal
has been found.
To order: send check or money order for $17.60 (includes shipping if
within the U.S.) to
Carol Robinson
P.O. Box 501
Corte Madera, CA 94976-0501
There are some great books that help you to talk to your animal as well.
Some other websites you might want to check out:
www.lostapet.org
and for lost cats, www.catsinthebag.org
and petfinders.com
There are pet detectives:
Sherlock Bones
is one of them.
Most of the pets that go missing every year never come home. But a new
"Amber Alert" system for animals may change those odds. With
helpmefindmypet.com
you create a website with a picture of your cat or dog and pertinent
info like his tag number and your phone number. Also look for your lost
pet at
www.petharbor.com
You will be connected to many animal shelters; many have photos of found
pets. Make sure that you register your lost or found pet.
Your demeanor: Although this is by far one of the most devastating experiences,
make a real effort to stay calm and talk to your animal as
much as possible. This may be hard for you to believe, but we have a
very strong connection to them and if we are scared they feel it. Allow
your feeling but send strong love to your animal
If there are any questions you need answered feel free to email
us.
Peace and love to all animals and their families
Learn more about saving animals and wildlife at Nan
Sea Love's BLOG
DISCLAIMER:
Credit has been given whenever the source of information is known. Any
omissions or distortions where found in the source material and will
happily be corrected. If your are the author or know a quotes source
please contact Nan Sea Love—
credit will be giving upon permission to use and/or verification. ©
Artwork copyright 2006 Nan Sea Love www.nansealove.com
All rights reserved. 10% of all profits gratefully given to animal and
environmental organizations.
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