HELPING A LOST PET

One in three pets will go missing in their lifetime and odds are you will encounter a lost pet. If you see a lost dog or cat, you will naturally want to help; but be sure to take all of the precautions necessary for the safety of you and the pet!

HELPING A LOST PET

One in three pets will go missing in their lifetime and odds are you will encounter a lost pet. If you see a lost dog or cat, you will naturally want to help; but be sure to take all of the precautions necessary for the safety of you and the pet!

YOU FOUND A LOST PET, NOW WHAT?

YOU FOUND A LOST PET, NOW WHAT?

STOP!
First, Assess Pet’s Body Language

  • Look for a pet with relaxed posture, facial expression, and eyes. Avoid tense shoulders, arched backs, and dilated pupils.
  • Don’t trust a pet’s wagging tail! This action could be out of excitement, frustration, or worse and should not be mistaken as a universal sign of friendliness!

STOP!
First, Assess Pet’s Body Language

  • Look for a pet with relaxed posture, facial expression, and eyes. Avoid tense shoulders, arched backs, and dilated pupils.
  • Don’t trust a pet’s wagging tail! This action could be out of excitement, frustration, or worse and should not be mistaken as a universal sign of friendliness!

SNAP!
Take a Photo

  • Even if a lost or stray pet’s body language looks fine to approach, it may react poorly to your approach. First, take a picture or video of the animal in case the pet takes off before you can help it.

SNAP!
Take a Photo

  • Even if a lost or stray pet’s body language looks fine to approach, it may react poorly to your approach. First, take a picture or video of the animal in case the pet takes off before you can help it.

CONTACT!
If Pet is Not Approachable, Contact Authorities

  • After assessing the pet, if the animal appears stressed or agitated, DO NOT attempt to approach it. Instead, notify your local animal control so they can collect the pet. Send them the pet’s photo, too!

CONTACT!
If Pet is Not Approachable, Contact Authorities

  • After assessing the pet, if the animal appears stressed or agitated, DO NOT attempt to approach it. Instead, notify your local animal control so they can collect the pet. Send them the pet’s photo, too!

APPROACH!
If it Feels Safe, Greet the Pet

  • After checking the pet’s body language, try approaching the animal slowly and cautiously while reassuring them in a calm voice. Consider approaching the pet at an angle instead of head on so you will appear less intimidating.

APPROACH!
If it Feels Safe, Greet the Pet

  • After checking the pet’s body language, try approaching the animal slowly and cautiously while reassuring them in a calm voice. Consider approaching the pet at an angle instead of head on so you will appear less intimidating.

PERSUADE!
Ways to Safely Coax Pet

  • If the pet isn’t coming to you, try coaxing with a reward like great-smelling food or a pet treat.
  • Once you have gotten close enough, try squatting down and letting the animal smell the back of your hand or the item in your hand to establish familiarity and trust.

PERSUADE!
Ways to Safely Coax Pet

  • If the pet isn’t coming to you, try coaxing with a reward like great-smelling food or a pet treat.
  • Once you have gotten close enough, try squatting down and letting the animal smell the back of your hand or the item in your hand to establish familiarity and trust.

CAPTURE!
If Permitted, Corral Pet and Contain

  • For dogs, ideally corral them with a leash. However, if one isn’t on-hand, a belt or piece of rope could be used in an emergency situation for a short period of time.
  • For cats, after luring, trap them in a cat carrier so it cannot escape. If a carrier isn’t available, a secure box with air holes can work until a carrier can be obtained.

CAPTURE!
If Permitted, Corral Pet and Contain

  • For dogs, ideally corral them with a leash. However, if one isn’t on-hand, a belt or piece of rope could be used in an emergency situation for a short period of time.
  • For cats, after luring, trap them in a cat carrier so it cannot escape. If a carrier isn’t available, a secure box with air holes can work until a carrier can be obtained.

IDENTIFY!
Check for ID and/or Get Pet Scanned for a Microchip

  • Once the lost pet is safely contained, check to see if the animal is wearing identification, like an AKC Reunite personalized collar or tag.
  • If the animal is not wearing any identification, take the pet to a local animal shelter or veterinary clinic, or call animal control/police to check for a microchip.

IDENTIFY!
Check for ID and/or Get Pet Scanned for a Microchip

  • Once the lost pet is safely contained, check to see if the animal is wearing identification, like an AKC Reunite personalized collar or tag.
  • If the animal is not wearing any identification, take the pet to a local animal shelter or veterinary clinic, or call animal control/police to check for a microchip.

REUNITE!
Contact Pet Owner or Authorities

  • If the animal is wearing identification, contact the number tied to the collar or tag to kickstart a reunion.
  • If no identification is present or if you cannot successfully contact the pet owner, immediately alert animal control to take pet to a local animal shelter or veterinary clinic. If the animal is microchipped, authorities can check for a microchip with a quick microchip scan. From there, the owner’s information can be found through the microchip company database, like AKC Reunite.

REUNITE!
Contact Pet Owner or Authorities

  • If the animal is wearing identification, contact the number tied to the collar or tag to kickstart a reunion.
  • If no identification is present or if you cannot successfully contact the pet owner, immediately alert animal control to take pet to a local animal shelter or veterinary clinic. If the animal is microchipped, authorities can check for a microchip with a quick microchip scan. From there, the owner’s information can be found through the microchip company database, like AKC Reunite.