What to do if your pet is missing

This is a great list of what to do if you've had a pet escape or wander off. Print yourself a copy and tuck it in a drawer. These tips for finding a lost cat or dog are from experts at the Anti-Cruelty of Chicago, PAWS Chicago, Feline Friends Chicago and the Citizens for Animal Protection: † Act immediately. The longer you wait, the farther your pet can travel. Plus, the chances of your pet getting injured increases. † Leave items with a familiar scent outside your home. A litter box, pet bed or a shirt or shoes recently worn by the pet owner can attract a pet who has strayed. † Search the neighborhood. Walk, ride a bicycle or drive slowly through your neighborhood several times each day. Whistle a few times, then call your pet’s name twice. Listen carefully and look around. † Your pet may be injured, frightened or trapped and unable to come to you. Hearing your voice may encourage your pet to answer you. After you call the pet’s name two or three times, remain in one place long enough to see if you can hear your pet. † A lost pet may hide during the day, so go out again at night through your neighborhood with a flashlight and call for your cat or dog. † Ask neighbors, letter carriers and delivery people, anyone you see, if they have seen your pet. † Post flyers at intersections within a two-mile radius of the area of where your pet was lost. Also, give flyers to local grocery stores, community centers, pet stores, veterinary offices, churches and laundromats. † The flyers should have a photograph of the pet and how to reach you as well as provide information such as fur color, breed and eye color. † Advertise in local and community newspapers. † Visit all local animal shelters and animal-control agencies as well as call or e-mail them. Your pet could show up at any time. † File a lost pet report with every shelter in the city and suburbs. Check with the shelters every few days. † If your pet was lost anywhere near a highway, contact the area’s department of transportation. † Call veterinary hospitals. † Do not send reward money or offer information to anyone claiming they have your pet. † File a lost pet report with the Police Department. Source via Leslie's Omnibus