C4P Animal Rescue Offers Great Advice For Preventing Your Pet From Going Missing

BEST PRACTICES: With recent "rash" of lost dogs, and dogs bolting on transfer from rescue to foster/adoptive home, we thought it timely to republish "HOW NOT TO LOSE YOUR PET".... please consider adding below to adoption contracts... 

LOST PETS - PREVENTION IS KEY!

- Do not leave pets tied up in public places, even for a minute. They get stolen, or, they can get spooked by a noise or person, get themselves loose, and run.

- “Terms of Adoption” should include never leaving animals unattended outside to prevent kidnappings, as well as a requirement for notifying rescue immediately if pet goes missing.

- Print C4P Amber Alerts for Lost Pets info and provide to new guardian on adoption.

- Use extra caution and secure pets when storms are coming / “firecracker” nights.

- Don’t leave pets unattended in back yards – they are prey to large birds and coyotes.

- Have a recent picture on hand, including size relationship (beside a person or object) - as proof of ownership

 - Always have visible identification on your pet in form of name tag with your direct phone numbers and also city license tag - you may eventually need the City’s help!

- Always have a back up microchip – and make sure the issuing company has updated information every year. Consider leaving chip info in the rescue’s name, with secondary emergency contact info, not in adopter's name.

- Make sure pets’ collar and/or harness is snug and cannot slip over its head.

- Make sure there are no holes under fence; that fences are in good repair and there is nothing against the fence that a dog can jump onto, and then over the fence.

- With rescues, take them out into yard on leash for the first couple of weeks to ensure they are comfortable. Gradually increase their knowledge of their new neighbourhoods, but keep them on leash until you are absolutely certain they are under “voice control”.

- Because some of rescues tried to bolt out the door when first brought home, keep the leash attached to them for up to a week.  That way if they do get out, there is a leash for someone to grab if they can get close enough.  And just as important is if they do get away, a dog at large with a leash attached is going to be noticed so reports of the dog will come in much sooner and you will know that it is your rescue. 

- When adopting dogs out, make every effort to familiarize them to the new area before they go there permanently.

- Use management measures to ensure pet doesn’t bolt through door (baby gates, tethers, crates, leashes).

- Teach “sit stays” at the door, to habituate pet to not react negatively or impulsively to an open door.

- When walking your (new) dog, have a really good grip on the leash with both hands - one guiding the dog, and another with your thumb/hand through the loop  in case dog bolts. 

- Have a list of sources for live traps and their sizes so you know where to get them quickly.

- Maintain a list of vet clinics (address, telephone number, email, fax) by area. 

- Eventually, you will need to go on vacation, be away from your pet. Plan in advance how this will play out. Acclimatize them to a local kennel, or, acclimatize them to your mother in law’s place – wherever you are going to place them temporarily, make sure it is not an “unknown” and therefore threatening environment.

- Consider a GPS dog-tracking collar. System is designed for pet owners to quickly and accurately locate their pets by using GPS technology. It consists of a portable, handheld receiver that displays information received from the GPS-enabled collar on your dog. The handheld device uses a LCD screen to show the location and direction of your pet every few seconds and shows you the dog’s current movements.  

Tracking Systems can also be used to set up an invisible fence. When your pet breaks the barrier the GPS Dog Collar Tracking System will send you an audible alert. This invention is a real savior for owners of those escape artists! Websites for reference: www.garmin.com/products/astro    

www.mydogtrackingcollars.com

"Rainbow Bridge" - To Help Those Who Have Lost A Beloved Pet

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. 

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. 

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. 

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. 

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. 

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...

Tips To Help You Find Your Lost Pet

Losing a beloved pet is a traumatic experience, and I know from experience. Three days after rescuing my little Nelly from the Toronto Humane Society, I was at my friend's home introducing him to them & their dog when Nelly took it upon himself to squeeze through the tiniest hole in the back of the fenced yard.  We immediately began searching the whole area, to no avail.  I spent the evening searching, calling every resource I could, and laying in bed sleepless. The next morning, as I was postering the neighbourhood with signs, a gentleman just so happened to be postering the same area with "Dog Found" signs. It turns out Nelly had decided to go to a nearby Starbucks and introduce himself to the neighbourhood (I had gone to that same Starbucks but my timing was off). Thankfully, a helpful couple took Nelly in for the night. Nelly was wearing his tags, but his collar had come off during his great escape. In addition, the microchip that he had contained the wrong ID number and connected to a labrador retreiver who was obviously home and safe with his family.  I was very lucky in this situation, and all ended well as a result of acting quickly and the kindness of strangers. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, here are some tips that will hopefully help you to reunite with your missing family member :


-ACT QUICKLY!! - The first few hours are very important.
-ALWAYS ensure that your pet wears a tag (even if it is a primarily indoor animal). **THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR INDOOR CATS! It doesn't take long for a curious kitty to dart past you and out the door if there is something enticing on the other side.
-Contact your local vets and pet stores (often these are the first places those who find lost animals will call).
-Get your pet micro-chipped! In addition (as I have stated from experience), ENSURE THAT THE MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IDENTIFIES YOUR PET, AND THAT THE INFORMATION IS CURRENT (I took this for granted).
-Quickly put up posters in your immediate area.
-Contact your local animal control or humane society.
-Organize a search party with friends and family to knock on doors and cover the immediate neighbourhood. You'd be surprised how many scared animals (cats in particular) are found within a few days hiding in a nearby garage or under a nearby porch.-Post on as many sites as you can.
-Go out at night when it is a little quieter and your pet may have a better chance at hearing you, and vice versa.
-If you have recently moved, search your former neighbourhood. It is very common for pets to wander to their previous homes.-If you have lost a cat, try putting his/her litter box and/or a bowl of food outside the door.
-For doggies, go to his/her favourite places (parks, stores, friend's homes), and take the doggy's favourite treats and toys.
-DON'T let the guilt get to you. Animals are roamers, and it happens often, so focus all your energy into getting your loved one back.
-HAVE HOPE!!! Just look at the many happy endings on this site.


**Please feel free to comment on this post or on the facebook page if you have a tip that you have found to be helpful!!

Lost Pet Services

Waggz & Whiskerz:
Lost Pet Services

Our Team is dedicated not only to finding your pet, but also training you to properly care and protect them !

For Immediate Assistance Dial
416-371-2766
or email
opmars@waggzandwhiskerz.com


The disappearance of your pet is extremely difficult
we understand that !

Great Advice!

What to Do if You Lose Your Pet
Sue Sternberg

Getting the word out early is the key to getting your dog or cat back safely and soundly. Don't assume your pet will return on his own in a few hours. Don't wait around to see if he'll find his way home. As soon as you are aware that your pet is missing, GET THE WORD OUT. Remember, have good, clear photos on hand just in case, and ALWAYS make sure your dogs and cats are wearing a collar with identification tags. Microchipping is an excellent form of identification, but always make sure your pet has a visible collar and tags.

* Make posters, and lots of them. Keep it simple: "LOST DOG (or cat)!" should be at the top in large, easy to read, (even from a moving vehicle) bold letters. Then include a brief description or breed type: "Beige, wire-haired terrier " or "Striped grey and black short-haired cat ". Don't assume that people will know your particular pure breed, so always include a description. Include the animal's name, it may make it easier for someone to call your pet over and capture him, and it also makes your pet into a valued member of your family, and not just another lost animal statistic. Offer a reward, don't state how much in the ad, and include your telephone number in large numbers at the bottom of the poster.
* Make dozens of index cards with the same information as above, and go to every home, in every direction from the site of where your pet disappeared, and give a card, or stick a card under doors or on windshields. Stop and speak with every person you encounter –the more people know about your lost pet, the more likely the one person who spots him will call you. Your pet may be frightened, ask people to please check their barns and sheds, especially at night.
* Place a "Lost " ad in your local newspaper the very first morning your pet is gone. These ads are usually free.
* GET THE WORD OUT! The more people know you have lost a pet, and that you are upset, worried and desperately trying to find your pet, the more people will call you if they see an animal in the woods or on the road, or in their backyard.
* Get out and call for your pet by name. Enlist family and friends to canvas the neighborhood, in all directions, on the roads and as the crow flies. Don't try to predict where your pet could or wouldn't have gone –YOU NEVER KNOW. The best time to call for your pet is at night, and at dawn. If you are calling from your car, drive slowly, roll down all the windows, stop and turn your vehicle off frequently to listen.
* Call all your neighbors personally.
* Call all veterinary clinics, including emergency veterinary hospitals outside your local area. Sometimes people pick up a stray and drive it to a distant clinic. Call all animal shelters and animal control and dog control officers, all local police and state troopers, all local kennels, the highway department, dog training clubs, grooming shops get the word out.
* Visit all local dog pounds and animal shelters, don't rely on their information, go through and look at all dogs and cats, DAILY.
* Don 't give up!
* Dogs and cats often wander far away, and do things you wouldn't predict they would do. Try everything, look everywhere, tell everyone. You'd be surprised how many people will be supportive, will get out and help you look, will offer words of encouragement and hope, will suggest places to look that other stray animals have gone.
* Even the friendliest and most social pet may quickly become terrified and wild. Your own friendly pet, when lost, may hide from people, run away if he sees a person, he may even run away from you. Don't chase after a lost pet –they are much faster than we are and you'll only scare them more. Instead, sit on the ground; talk in normal tones, repeating his name and familiar phrases over and over again. A frightened animal will usually stick around, and after a few minutes or hours,come closer and closer.
* In rare cases, you may need to rent or purchase a Humane Live trap, and set it to capture a terrified lost pet. Local animal shelters often rent or loan these, and will have an appropriate size for a dog or a cat.
* Again, DON'T GIVE UP! Be aggressive in your search, get lots of help, get the word out right away – don't wait a few hours "to see if he'll come home on his own "– you need those early hours to put up posters and give out cards.

** Taken from petfinder.com