Pets are another member of the family, and we grow very fond of them. As they get older, you mentally prepare yourself that one day they will go to doggy or kitty heaven, but you never want to think about that day actually arriving.
Being separated from your dog or cat, whether because they passed away or due to personal reasons like work, is a great sorrow.
However, what is even more heartbreaking is losing your pet. Surely, none of the readers of this article want to imagine that situation.
Losing our dog or cat is one of the worst nightmares a pet owner can have.
Even though it's a horrible nightmare, it's a situation that can easily occur. In the case of dogs, it can happen during a walk if they get scared by a noise or are startled and try to run away. And in the case of cats, they can escape through the door or any window.
Therefore, these situations can easily happen. So, what do I do if my pet gets lost?
5 steps that can help you find your pet
1. Search in familiar places. Despite your panic and fear, try to think quickly and go to places where you have been with your pet or where they might have run off to. Parks and areas where you usually take your dog. Above all, ask people in the area, showing them a picture.
2. Call the police or emergency services. Call the Civil Guard or the Police, and if possible, go there in person to file a report. Officers may ask you for the microchip number to help you find your pet. They will ask for a 15-digit number, which is the microchip ID.
3. Spread the word on Social Media. Today, social media is one of the most effective means of dissemination. Share the information on social media, including a photo of your pet, the place where they were lost, the collar they were wearing, and even contact information. You can also look for an app that allows you to send out alerts, such as Welppy. You can even make posters with a photo and contact information and hang them in the area where your pet was lost and in their usual walking spots.
4. Animal shelters and foster homes. Contact animal shelters and animal collection centers; they can help you if they have found your dog or cat and taken them to a shelter.
5. Inform your veterinarian and the Spanish Network for Companion Animal Identification in your community. If someone finds your pet and takes them to a vet, the microchip will allow them to identify the owner.
These five steps can help you find your pet if they get lost; we hope you never have to use them. However, here are some tips that can help you keep your pet identified and prevent them from getting lost.