Losing a pet can be a nightmarish experience. With the busyness of the festive season, many pets can sometimes wander off without being noticed.

Also read: Durban and Coast SPCA left with 400 strays after festive season

Luckily the SPCA has compiled a list of things to do if your pet is missing:

Act quickly

The more time a pet is out roaming the streets, the more likely they’ll be run over or even stolen. Check if any of your neighbours have seen your dog or cat. Then organise a search party of nearby streets, parks or other places your pet might be drawn to.

Social media

Use social media to effectively widen the search. Post a clear photo of your pet on your social platforms and WhatsApp neighbourhood groups. You may even have a local community group that focuses on finding missing pets.

Contact the SPCA

Contact your local SPCA and other animal shelters, as well as veterinary clinics – anywhere a Good Samaritan who finds your precious dog or cat might take them if they are lost or injured.

To report a missing pet at the Durban & Coast SPCA, call 031 579 6525/6 or email a photo and details to lostandfound@spcadbn.org.za.

Also read: How to perform first aid on your pets

Prevention is better than cure

Avoid the heartache of a missing pet by taking precautions to safeguard your animals. Ensuring your pet’s safety starts with a secure environment. If you have a yard, make sure it’s properly fenced and gates are secured. Sterilised pets are less likely to wander, which is another good reason to spay or neuter your animals.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping your pet is a simple and safe procedure usually done by a veterinarian. Using a hypodermic needle, the vet injects the device – which is about the size of a grain of rice – under the skin of your pet’s neck.

After the microchip is implanted, the vet or clinic staff will help you register its unique identification number, along with your contact information, in a national pet recovery database. If you move or change your contact details, remember to update your details. Keeping your information current will ensure that you can be easily reached if your pet is found.

You can get your pet microchipped for as little as R220 at SPCA. Call them on 031 579 6547 to make a booking. If you adopted a dog or cat from our SPCA, it will have automatically been microchipped before being allowed to go home with you.

Following these tips and prevention methods from the SPCA, can help make sure your furry friend is safe this festive season.

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