Steps to take after losing a pet

JSPCA’s public relations officer, Jolene Beyleveld, has undertaken to inform residents exactly what to do should they find that their pet is missing and has been gone for hours or even days.

• Do not panic. Panic clouds your mind.

• Contact all the animal shelters and veterinarians in your area, to report the animal as missing. Be sure to provide as much detail as possible and also mention any distinguishing characteristics, e.g: black spot on left ear.

• Visit local animal shelters and look for yourself. Any animal may become dirty, matted and look neglected when out on the road for an extended period.

• It is also important to visit all the shelters within 20 -30 kilometers of where your pet was lost. Remember that someone picking up the animal may not take it to the closest animal shelter, but a shelter which is more convenient to them. A person might also keep a pet for a few days hoping you will look for it and ask about it.• Visit all your neighbours in surrounding streets.

• Hand out pamphlets with a photograph of the animal and your contact details. Ask shops, petrol stations if they don’t mind you putting your lost poster on their notice boards.

• Walk in your surrounding streets and call your pet.

• Put an ad in the local paper, and in the papers from surrounding areas. Advertising in the paper is important because if someone finds your pet, they won’t keep it thinking you didn’t want it.

Should you wish to report your animal missing, or if you have found an animal, please contact the JSPCA on 011 681 3600.