What to do if your pet goes missing
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With immediate awareness & efforts, most lost animals will be recovered within the first 48 hours. Do not wait, assuming your pet is on an adventure, hoping they will return on their own! As time passes, the task of searching becomes increasingly difficult. To delay in taking steps within those first 48 hours could be risking the life of your pet. Below are important tasks to complete when your pet goes missing. Your commitment to searching will be key in the safety of your lost pet.
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When your pet goes missing, IMMEDIATELY do the following
(all tasks should be completed or started within the first 24-48 hours):
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CONTACT THE AREA POUND(S) AND ANIMAL CONTROL:
If the animal could have travelled to neighboring RMs, contact the pounds for those areas also. Stay in contact. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP. Animal Control Officers capture roaming domestic animals, take them to impound facilities for a specified period of time (some only have 72 hours). If unclaimed or rescued, animals are euthanized. No RM has the resources or facilities to hold lost animals indefinitely. A list of those contact numbers can be found here. |
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POST ON BRANDON & AREA LOST ANIMALS (BALA) FACEBOOK PAGE:
Post a picture, information, locations last seen & contact number(s) about your lost pet. BALA’s admins will repost, so it is seen by supporters on their newsfeeds. Keep them updated! If you do not have access to Facebook, ask a family member or friend to post for you, or call/text 204-724-7033. BALA is a volunteer group with a wealth of knowledge that can help you be reunited with your lost pet. You can also submit a Lost Pet Report to BALA by clicking here. |
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CONTACT VET CLINICS, RM OFFICE(S) & RADIO STATIONS in your area.
DELEGATE:
Especially if you cannot do the tasks immediately, ask for help from friends & family. Follow up to make sure the tasks are completed. Remember, people do want to help, and all you have to do is ask.
Especially if you cannot do the tasks immediately, ask for help from friends & family. Follow up to make sure the tasks are completed. Remember, people do want to help, and all you have to do is ask.
MAKE A LIST:
Create a list of the places you are putting signs & posters. They MUST be taken down if the animal is found, to give other lost pets a chance for an effective search. UPDATE signs and posters every 2 weeks with "STILL MISSING" & current date, to let people know the search is still in place.
Create a list of the places you are putting signs & posters. They MUST be taken down if the animal is found, to give other lost pets a chance for an effective search. UPDATE signs and posters every 2 weeks with "STILL MISSING" & current date, to let people know the search is still in place.
KEEP A JOURNAL:
Indicate time, date, names & numbers of all endeavors, calls, contacts & information.
Indicate time, date, names & numbers of all endeavors, calls, contacts & information.
POSTERS:
Place posters on the boards at Vet Clinics & Pet Supply Stores, in addition to locations around the area your animal went missing, where there is high human traffic. Give one to the mail & newspaper delivery people, refuse collection staff....anyone who spends time regularly walking or driving in the area.
Place posters on the boards at Vet Clinics & Pet Supply Stores, in addition to locations around the area your animal went missing, where there is high human traffic. Give one to the mail & newspaper delivery people, refuse collection staff....anyone who spends time regularly walking or driving in the area.
SIGNS:
With a large photo of your animal, key words & a contact # that is large enough to read from a moving vehicle. Please note, some areas may have by-laws with restrictions concerning signage. Check with your local by-law department for more information.
With a large photo of your animal, key words & a contact # that is large enough to read from a moving vehicle. Please note, some areas may have by-laws with restrictions concerning signage. Check with your local by-law department for more information.
POST/PLACE ADS:
Place or post ads in the Lost Pet Classified section of discussion forums & area newspapers.
Place or post ads in the Lost Pet Classified section of discussion forums & area newspapers.
DOOR TO DOOR:
Directly speak to people in the area your pet has gone missing, and areas where the animal may have ventured. Give each person a poster, and records names, numbers and addresses. Many people will provide valuable information about your pet when you speak to them directly. Many do not realize that the information was required or valuable. These people may also be in contact with neighbors that are away, and may come home to find your pet living on their property.
Directly speak to people in the area your pet has gone missing, and areas where the animal may have ventured. Give each person a poster, and records names, numbers and addresses. Many people will provide valuable information about your pet when you speak to them directly. Many do not realize that the information was required or valuable. These people may also be in contact with neighbors that are away, and may come home to find your pet living on their property.
RELIABLE CONTACT INFORMATION:
The contact number should be one the caller will speak to someone the majority of the time, with voicemail in case the call cannot be answered. You may want to record a new greeting that indicates the caller has reached the right number. Callers are often not willing to leave a message, especially on the voicemail of a stranger. Keep in mind the search could go on for days, weeks or months.
The contact number should be one the caller will speak to someone the majority of the time, with voicemail in case the call cannot be answered. You may want to record a new greeting that indicates the caller has reached the right number. Callers are often not willing to leave a message, especially on the voicemail of a stranger. Keep in mind the search could go on for days, weeks or months.
REWARD OR NO REWARD?
Consider offering a reward only if your pet is friendly. Rewards are NOT recommended for shy and timid pets. You do not want people pursuing an unapproachable pet, which is not likely to be caught but will be bolt further out of the area if pursued, and possibly injured. All posters & signs should indicate "DO NOT CHASE", as any pet will run away if chased, and may run into traffic. If your pet is unapproachable, also indicate "DO NOT APPROACH", "SCARED", "WILL BOLT".
Consider offering a reward only if your pet is friendly. Rewards are NOT recommended for shy and timid pets. You do not want people pursuing an unapproachable pet, which is not likely to be caught but will be bolt further out of the area if pursued, and possibly injured. All posters & signs should indicate "DO NOT CHASE", as any pet will run away if chased, and may run into traffic. If your pet is unapproachable, also indicate "DO NOT APPROACH", "SCARED", "WILL BOLT".
KEEP AN EXTRA SET OF CAR KEYS, COLLAR, LEASH, TREATS, PHONE, POSTERS, BOTTLE OF WATER, PEN & PAPER with you at all times. Consider having an extra key in a magnet box on your vehicle.
CREATE A COMFORT SPOT FOR YOUR LOST PET:
When searching for a lost dog or cat, place the pet's crate, bed, toys, food dish & water dish in a spot that he/she may find. Monitor daily. Keep the food & water replenished. This might be set up outside your home, or if lost away from home, close to where the pet was lost, or at a location where you suspect your pet is roaming.
When searching for a lost dog or cat, place the pet's crate, bed, toys, food dish & water dish in a spot that he/she may find. Monitor daily. Keep the food & water replenished. This might be set up outside your home, or if lost away from home, close to where the pet was lost, or at a location where you suspect your pet is roaming.
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Funds For Furry Friends
#208 - 740 Rosser Avenue Brandon, Manitoba R7A 0K9 Rescue Line 1 (204) 573-8333 Fax: 866-211-1046 Adoption Email: adoptions@fundsfurfriends.com Financial: financial@fundsfurfriends.com |
Registered Charitable Number:
86021 6506 RR0001 |
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