Missing pet? Follow these steps to bring them home
Local animal rescue provides essential notes on what pet owners can do when their animal goes missing.
No More Tears Animal Rescue shares helpful tips for pet owners about what to do in case their pets go missing.
• Also read: ‘Please microchip your pet’ – Animal Aid Warriors
Clarisse Kruger, a volunteer at No More Tears, stated that owners should start by immediately searching for the animal. Look through the entire house, be sure to check every room and closet as well as the garage and the cars. Call out the animal’s name and shake their food bowl or favourite toy to attract their attention with the noise.
She continued, for outside the house, search nearby areas the animal frequents or places they can hide. You can also contact the neighbours to check their property and let them know if they see the animal. She added that asking friends and family to help can also improve the search.
The next step is to report the animal as missing at local vets, rescue organisations and shelters as well as the SPCA. Provide them with the animal’s chip number and any registration details.
Clarisse also suggested posting on social media with a photo and description of the animal. Ask friends to then share the information to spread the word.
Further, make posters and flyers with the animal’s name, photo, characteristics and physical description. Also, add your contact number. This can then be put up on notice boards and handed out to community members in the area.
Clarisse also stated microchipping is a preventative measure one can take to prevent your pet from going missing. She noted that a microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. It is a small chip about the size of a grain of rice that is planted under the skin of the animal. Every chip has a unique identification number that can be scanned by vets and shelters. The database will then provide the owner’s contact details.
It is essential that you keep the microchip register updated with your current contact details. Pets with a microchip are more likely to be reunited with their family,” said Clarisse.
