How to Look for a Lost Pet

It is your responsibility to conduct the search for a lost pet. These guidelines will assist you.

THE SEARCH

What should you do if your dog or cat is missing? Start looking right away! Enlist the help of neighbors and even the mailman. Go door to door and leave contact information plus a complete description of your pet with nearby neighbors. Talk to children - they often know what animals are around the neighborhood.

Search in the evenings when it is quiet. Call or whistle. If your pet is injured, sick or frightened, he/she may be hiding. Drive slowly around your neighborhood; sometimes a pet will recognize the sound of your car. Keep in mind that animals (especially cats) climb into cars and sometimes are transported many miles from their homes before jumping out. Animals have been inadvertently locked in neighbors' homes, garages, sheds, etc. Also check recently vacated areas.

If you have recently moved, follow the above procedures in your old neighborhood as well.

THE ANIMAL SHELTER

Visit the Valley Oak SPCA as soon as possible and fill out a lost pet report. Remember, only you can identify your pet. Go there at least every Wednesday and Friday, if not every day. Dogs not wearing a license are held for three working days, as required by law. Those wearing a license are held for six working days. But keep in mind the collar might have come off, so don't wait! (After these holding periods, animals may be put up for adoption; however, most must be humanely killed.) Call 651-1437 for more information.

KEEP CHECKING. Don't give up. Your pet may no be turned in for several weeks or even months.

SPCA LOST PET LINE

Call 739-5656 daily for a current recorded list of stray animals brought to the SPCA shelter.

ADVERTISE

Put a lost ad in local newspapers. Offer a reward but don't specify the amount, and don't give it until you have your pet back. Place the ad immediately. If you wait, someone who finds your pet may become attached to him/her and stop watching for ads. Place the ad for as long as you are able, even if it's just weekly after the initial run. Check found ads daily.

LOST POSTERS

Pick up a free lost poster at the SPCA, or print the LOST DOG POSTER or the LOST CAT POSTER here. (requires the FREE Acrobat Reader plugin).

If your pet is an unusual breed, or a mix, describe her/him using the breed the animal most looks like - i.e., looks like a Lab-type dog or Lab mix, or looks like a long hair Siamese. Never write "mutt" for a dog. Ordinary cats are best described as "domestic short hair" or "domestic long hair." Don't give an overly detailed description; you want anyone who thinks they have seen your pet to call.

Include a daytime and evening phone number and a message phone (neighbor or relative) to make sure all calls will be received. A black and white photo will reproduce better than color. If you don't have a photo, a picture from a book will give people a rough idea of what your pet looks like.

Put posters up within at least a twenty block radius of where the animal was lost. Post on poles, bulletin boards, at stores, laundromats and other announcement areas.

ABOVE ALL, BE PERSISTENT: Your pet is wondering where you are!

PLEASE NOTE:

Prevention is the best way to keep your pet from becoming lost. A cat is safe indoors and a dog is safe in a fenced yard or in the house.

Make sure your dog always wears a current license and I.D. tag. Cats should wear a breakaway collar and I.D. tag. It could be your pet's ticket home!