When your beloved pet is lost, it's easy to panic. So many things can happen to your pet, and since our animals are such a big part of our lives, imagining your dear companion in trouble or worse can make it difficult to focus on the steps needed to hasten your pet's safe return.
Technology has had an impact on recovering lost pets. Pets be microchipped and registered so that anyone finding the pet can have the animal scanned and your information will pop up. Lost pet recovery services are organized to provide a rapid net of telephone calls to the local area, giving you the best chance that someone who has seen your pet will realize his owner is searching for him.
Of course you can and should take all the "traditional" steps to recovering your pet as well. Canvassing the area he was last seen with posters, contacting vets within the local radius, and checking all nearby animal shelters on a regular basis. Fast action is often necessary to recover the pet while he is still within the area.
Remember, your pet may be frightened and hiding at first, so don't give up or assume he isn't in an area just because you can't find him or he doesn't respond. And if possible, talk to children playing outside, joggers, and people who may be working in their yards since they are more likely to have noticed a stray animal. (Unfortunately in this day it does need to be stressed that it is important to take care when talking to children - it might be wise to ask if you can speak to their parents, and request the parents to ask their children about your lost pet, to avoid anyone feeling threatened.)
Above all, don't give up hope! There are of course miraculous stories of pets returning after long absences to be reunited once again with their families.
Visit our Lost & Found Pets page to see where you can report your lost pet or at sites that list found pets.
Source :: Pets n People