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The feelings associated with losing a pet are perhaps some of the worst feelings that any pet owner can have. The grief, guilt, general uncertainty and impending panic that come along it are just a few of the crippling symptoms that come when pets go missing. But the worst thing that you can do to help find your lost pet is let panic set in.
Petside had the opportunity to talk to former police officer turned pet detective Kat Albrecht, founder of the Missing Pet Partnership, which helps pet owners in local areas re-discover their lost pets. Here are 10 things that pet owners should do immediately if they have lost a pet.
1. Research and Understand Lost Pet Behaviors
If you have lost a pet, the first thing that you need to do is understand the problem you are dealing with as a whole. The first component of this is trying to decipher how different animals will react when they find they are not at home, which involves doing a little bit of research.
“Dogs and cats are apples and oranges,” says Albrecht, “and they behave differently when lost.”
Generally, dogs run when they are panicked, and so when a dog becomes lost it may be necessary to start your search on a wider, macro level. Cats, however, look to hide, necessitating a search on a smaller, micro level. Although every pet ultimately behaves differently when lost, knowing how a pet may behave can help you better craft your search.
2. Develop Witnesses and Leads for Your Lost Pet
Publication: PetSide.com
Section: Articles > Dog Safety
