Check your Home and Neighborhood

 

The first step you should take when your pet goes missing is to thoroughly search your own home and neighborhood. Talk to your family members and neighbors to see when and where they last saw your pet. Search your home carefully, look under beds, in closets, in dark places, in small spaces, behind furniture, etc. Your animal may be hiding or sleeping somewhere. When you are sure your pet is not in your home, take a slow ride or walk around your neighborhood. Bring a recent photo of your pet to show to neighbors. Check under porches and shrubs. Ask your neighbors to check their sheds and/or garages.

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Work the Phones and Internet

After checking your home and neighborhood, you should begin to make calls. Call your local animal control officer, veterinary hospitals, shelters, and rescue groups. It is possible that one of these places already has your pet in custody. After calling HSWA, please fill out the form below and upload photos of your pet. Post a photo of your pet on your social media and ask friends to share it. Reach out to local lost pet and rescue groups and see if they will share information about your lost pet. Maine Lost Dog Recovery is a great resource for lost dogs and Maine Lost Cat Recovery is wonderful for lost cats.

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Create a Lost Pet Flyer

Create a flyer with a clear, recent photo of your pet and post it in the community. Make sure your flyer has a large, bold headline that can be read from a distance. List the breed, age, sex, coloring, weight, and any distinguishing features of your pet. Include where they were last seen. Provide your name and two contact phone numbers. Start with your neighborhood and post the flyers on lampposts and trees around where you think your pet was last seen. You should post your flyer in parks, pet supply stores, grooming shops, and veterinary offices. You can also ask area businesses to display your flyer. Some options include restaurants, grocery and convenience stores. Concentrate on busy commercial and pedestrian areas of town.

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Don’t Give Up!

Many lost animals find their way home. 

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