A pet disappearing is something no pet owner wants to think about, but sometimes it happens, and it’s important to know what you can do to get your pet home safely.
Animal Care Services says there are certain things you need to do immediately if your pet gets out. Here are some tips:
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- Start searching as soon as your pet is lost.
- Most pets do not go far.
- Use your pet’s litterbox, a favorite toy or blanket to help lure them back.
- Tell your neighbors your pet is lost.
- Search street by street.
- Bring treats, a carrier and a leash in case you spot your pet.
- Calmly call your pets name while searching.
- Don’t chase a scared, lost pet. This can scare them more.
- Search nearby “hiding spots.” Animals tend to seek comfort in sheds or bushes when they are in an unfamiliar environment.
- Search when it gets later. With less action happening around the neighborhood, your pet may be willing to venture out.
- If you have multiple pets, bring your other pet with you. They can smell better and may be able to pick up the lost pet’s scent.
- Look at kennels to see what lost animals have been found.
- Try these websites: SAACS, Pet Harbor, Petfinder, SAPets.
- Place lost pet notices on apps/websites like Nextdoor, Facebook, Craig’s list, etc.
- Be mindful of scammers who target the parents of lost pets.
Prevention is key when it comes to keeping your pets on your property.
The best thing you can do is get your pet microchipped. According to ACS, microchips are required by law in San Antonio for dogs, cats and domestic ferrets.
The shelter provides them free of charge for City of San Antonio residents and a $5 fee for those who do not live in city limits.
All animals that are brought into ACS are scanned for a microchip. Workers at the shelter will use the information on the microchip to track down the pet’s owner.
“All the registration contact information is used to try to find the pet’s people, including emails and phone numbers. This is why it is vitally important to ensure not only is your pet microchipped, but that the contact information connected to the registration is 100% up to date,” said an ACS spokesperson.
Other preventative measures you can take to keep your pet with you include:
- Always keep your dog leashed or harnessed while walking out in public.
- Don’t let your dog roam out of your yard.
- Train your animal basic commands like “stay” and “come.”
- This can help ensure your animal doesn’t get away from you.
- Check your fence/gates often.
- Make sure they aren’t loose or there aren’t any holes nearby where pets could make a quick escape.