Lost Pets

Finding a lost pet

August 18, 2008 2:10:44 pm | by Diane McCartney | Wichita Paws |

If you've ever lost a pet, you know what a traumatic experience it can be. What steps can you take to get your pet back safe at home as quickly as possible? And what should you do if you find a stray pet? Here are some tips:

1. Call local animal shelters and visit in person to post a lost pet report and provide a photo of your pet. You must visit in person, because your description of your pet may differ from someone else's. Visit shelters daily, if possible. State law requires that shelters hold a stray for three days, to give the owner time to reclaim it. After that, the animal may be adopted or euthanized. If you find a pet, turn it in to the animal shelter so the owner will have a chance of finding it.

  • Wichita animal control, 3303 N. Hillside, 316-838-9623; open 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 1-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Daily animal pickups are posted online.
  • Kansas Humane Society, 4218 Southeast Blvd., 316-524-1590; open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (except Wednesdays)
  • Sedgwick County animal control (outside Wichita), 316-660-7070 or 1-800-527-0709

2. Log on to these Internet sites to report lost or found pets, and check the sites every day.

3. Place ads in newspapers and with radio stations. Include the pet's sex, age, weight, breed, color and any special markings. When describing a pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person who finds your pet - or is looking for one - to describe it. Advertise in the Sunday paper as well as during the week, and check the "found" ads every day.

  • Wichita Eagle classified ads, 316-262-4222
  • KFDI Pet Patrol, 316-821-2008

4. Search the neighborhood immediately and post fliers within a mile radius of where your pet was lost. Walk or drive through the neighborhood several times a day. Ask neighbors (including children), letter carriers and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached. Large colorful fliers that say "REWARD" in large letters and have photos will get the most attention. However, beware of scams:

  • Include your phone number but not your name or address.
  • Offer a reward, but don't say how much.
  • Withhold identifying marks and characteristics of the pet, so you can verify that someone has actually found your pet.
  • Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money for the return of your pet.
  • Never respond to a "found" pet contact alone. Arrange to meet in a public place and take a friend or two along.

5. Call local animal rescue groups to see if they might have your pet or know anything about it.

6. Be proactive to protect your pets now:

  • Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and ID tag with your name, address and telephone numbers. Consider microchipping your pet to make identification easier. And take some good photos of your pet.
  • Pet-proof your yard so your cat or dog will be safely confined. Check your fence regularly for new escape routes. Keep gates securely locked. Never allow pets to roam free.
  • Always transport a cat in a carrier, and keep dogs on a leash.
  • Spay or neuter your pets so they'll be less likely to roam.

7. Don't give up on your search. Pets that have been missing for months have been reunited with their owners.

Sources: Kansas Humane Society, Humane Society of the United States, Petrescue.com