Missing a Pet? Tips that may help bring them home

The number of pets that get lost is heartbreaking. Pets are family. One thing I would never do, is judge the people who are looking for their pet. You cannot make them feel any worse than they already do..this is a time for action. Help the person know what direction to go in.

1) Call your local shelter right away. If you have a photo of your pet, text or email it to them. If not, give a description of the pet. Also, make sure to tell them if the pet may not be friendly to strangers. What time the pet went missing, where and any other important information.

2) You can check the shelter online to see if your pet is there.

3) Check craigslist. Just type craigslist into google and your city. Go to the lost and found to look for your pet. If you do not see your pet there, go to pets, look under lost.

4) Post on Craigslist. At the top left under Craigslist there is a Post to Craigslist, click on that and follow directions. You are able to post a photo there, and important info.

5) If you are on Facebook google Finding My Way Home Face Book. Local people in your area help each other spread the word about lost pets. Many pets are found through this group.

Here are some more important tips from Asheville Humane Society

Find a current color photo of your pet. This is one of the most beneficial tools to help locate your missing pet. Please bring a color photo of your missing pet with you to the Buncombe County Animal Shelter that can be left for use in identifying your missing companion.

Visit shelters every 1-2 days. Animal Control and private citizens bring stray animals to the Buncombe County Animal Shelter and other shelters each day. Visiting frequently will increase the chances of finding your pet if it is brought to, or reported as found to the shelters.

If your pet is Microchipped or has an ID make sure your contact information is current. Contact the registering agency and alert them that your pet is missing. Be sure the contact information they have on file is up to date. If you know your pet's microchip number (your Veterinarian may have this) you may look your pet's microchip record up here: www.petmicrochiplookup.org.

Notify friends, neighbors, local businesses in your neighborhood and/or the area where your pet went missing. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and other community blogs can prove helpful in the search as well.

Post flyers in your neighborhood and/or the area where you lost your pet. This may include veterinary practices, groomers, pet supply stores, and any other business that might have a Lost and Found bulletin board. Include a photo of your pet and a cell phone number so you can be reached immediately, especially while you are out searching for your pet. Here is a helpful link to make a lost pet flyer:http://www.petbond.com/flyerentry.php.

Read the “found” ads, and take out a “lost” ad in area newspapers. Be sure to do the same on internet sites such as www.craigslist.com,www.lostpetswnc.org and www.reachvet.com.

Look for your pet in the area where he or she went missing as well as near your home. The quiet early morning hours are a good time to search for your pet. If a neighbor's dog is barking during the search politely ask them to keep the dog inside while you look for your missing pet. Oftentimes cats are not faraway and are found in small crawl spaces under sheds, garages and under or in places you may not think to look. Get low to the ground and get your missing pet's perspective, to help you locate those difficult to find hiding spots.

Don’t give up!