Don't wait - help a lost animal right away

If you find an animal, get involved. It may be tempting to hope a wandering dog or cat will find its way home, but leaving an animal to fend for himself is just too risky. By intervening, you may be able to save their life. Dogs, cats, and other companion animals rely on people for care and protection - and that's especially true when they're lost. Often the best option is to take the lost animal to the local animal shelter so they can be quickly reunited with their family.

If you lose an animal, act quickly

Thousands of animals brought to Puget Sound area shelters as "strays" are euthanized because their owners don't come looking for them during the standard 72-hour stray holding period, and are bypassed by adopters looking for new pets. Don't assume your missing companion will be back in a day or two, has been stolen, or has "gone off to die." It's far more likely that he is waiting for you to find him. Begin your search as soon as you realize your pet is missing, and visit the local shelters in person. You should also call the local veterinary clinics, including those that handle emergency cases, in case your animal has been brought there.

How to search

Shelters and Animal Control
The services offered by these agencies vary, but all can offer advice. Start by calling animal control and the shelter for the area where the animal was lost or found. Ask to file a report. Inquire about the agencies that cover your neighborhood, and ask for suggestions on how to proceed with your search.

If you have found an animal, it is usually best to take him to the local shelter. That's where his owners are most likely to look for him. You can still post signs, file reports with PAWS Lost and Found, and with other agencies, and continue to search for his family. But don't keep an animal in your home unless you are prepared to be very proactive in your search for his family.

If you have lost an animal, there is an extra, crucial step. Visit the shelters - and do it often. Looking in person is the best way to ensure that you and your pet are reunited and avoids them becoming another tragic shelter statistic. Knowing the fate of your lost companion, even if the news is sad, will give you and your family closure so be sure to ask about records of animals found injured or dead.
Animal shelters and agencies (Western Washington and nationwide).

Signs
Signs are a very effective tool for finding lost animals - or owners. Make them bold, with key words in large type. A photo or drawing of the animal is a big help. Distribute them door-to-door in the neighborhood where the animal was lost or found and post them at major intersections and along main streets in the area. PAWS and many other shelters have "Lost and Found" stations within their facilities, and this is where you can post a sign. Signs are very helpful for people looking for their companion as well as those who have found one and are temporarily holding them in their home.

Ads
Immediately place an ad in the major daily newspaper for your area. Continue to monitor the ads even if you have placed one yourself. One excellent resource for local ads is Craig's List.

Rewards
Offering a reward on your posters and in ads may offer an incentive for people to become involved. Be cautious before giving money to anyone claiming to know the whereabouts of your animal.

Cover the neighborhood and beyond
Talk to passers-by and stop in at businesses in your area. Post signs and call for your animal as you go. Check alleys, playgrounds, parks, and roadside ditches. Cats are likely to become stranded in trees or shut in garages, storage sheds, under porches, or on rooftops. Don't forget to call local and emergency veterinary clinics and to enlist the help of letter carriers and delivery persons.

It is not uncommon for animals to be found miles from where they were lost. Through ads, flyers, and visits to shelters, extend your search over the greatest possible territory.

Online
Some internet services provide information for lost and found companion animals. A few of them are:

Petfinder
The Internet Lost and Found
Pets 911
Lost and Pound

Be thorough
By using all available approaches, you can increase the odds of a happy reunion. Many animals are found weeks after they were lost. Don't give up.

Don't let it happen again

An ID tag can mean the difference between life and death for a dog or cat. Even "indoor-only" pets need tags. You should also consider getting your companion microchipped as a way to permanently identify your dog or cat. Microchips cannot come off like a collar and tag, and give you an extra "insurance policy" in case they become lost again. Most veterinary clinics can microchip and register your companion with a national database service for under $50.

Check your house and yard to determine how your dog or cat managed to escape, and be sure to correct the problem as soon as possible. PAWS has information that can help you address behavior issues including how to manage escaping behavior as well as details on how to establish a safe confinement plan.