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Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County
Lost and Found Pets
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HUMANE SOCIETY OF VALDOSTA/LOWNDES COUNTY
Lost and Found Tips
Losing a pet is a devastating experience, especially when you don't know who to call or how to effectively search for your pet. Finding a pet can be just as frustrating when you don't know where to turn for help. Whether you have lost or found a pet, The Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County has a list of tips to help reunite pets with their owners. 1. Call the Proper Agencies - The first thing you need to do is call the proper agencies to give them important information about your pet, including a description, date lost, location lost, etc. The following is a list of agencies to call.
Tuesdays - Saturdays 12:00 - 5:00
2. List a Classified Ad - The Valdosta Daily Times will run an ad for 3 days free of charge. Remember that if you find a pet, it is important to leave out certain parts of the pet's description so that the legitimate owner can identify the pet. For example, do not list whether the pet is male of female, or leave out distinguishing features. That will force the real owner to identify their pet, thus giving you peace of mind that you have found the true owner. 3. Hang Flyers - It is important that you hang flyers around your neighborhood or where the pet was lost. Remember that in order for your flyer to be effective, it must be able to be read from a passing car. A flyer should only list pertinent information. For example: LOST DOG Black Lab 555-0000 $250 Reward Also, to protect flyers from the elements, place them in sheet protectors and hang with the opening at the bottom so rain will not get inside. 4. Talk With as Many People As Possible - It is important to talk with neighbors, meter readers, the postman, neighborhood kids, etc. The more people looking for your pet, the better. 5. Searching for an Inside Versus Outside Cat - Due to fear, a strictly inside cat that gets out will revert to the wild by hiding and only coming out at night to look for food. They will even run from their owners and may have to be trapped. Leave food and water outside. Sit outside at night with a flashlight. Search the neighborhood at night. Most of the time a cat will stay pretty close to the area lost for weeks and even months. Don't assume that because you have not seen your cat for awhile that it is gone forever. It may be very close and you don't even know it, so don't lose hope. Sometimes leaving the door to your house open in the evenings will allow your cat to slip back inside when it feels comfortable. A missing outdoor, or indoor/outdoor, cat is usually not lost. It knows how to get home. It is usually trapped somewhere and can't get out, in someone's home, or it has gotten in a car or truck and has been accidentally relocated. Remember to ask neighbors if you can look in their garages, sheds, etc. Your cat may be trapped. 6. Offering a Reward - Remember that pets are sometimes stolen. If you feel there is a chance that your pet was stolen, it is important that you offer a reward. This means that you must list an amount that will be an incentive for someone to return your pet. By listing a reward, it may also entice a person to turn in someone else who may have your pet. You may want to include in your flyer something like this, $250 Reward For Return or Information Leading to Return of Pet. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
7. Missing Pet Partnership - There are many sites that give good information about effectively searching for your pet. A good place to start is with Missing Pet Partnership at lostapet.org.
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