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Lost Pets

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Lost Pets

When a loving pet and family friend is lost it is a difficult time for anyone that has to go through it.  However, there are things you can do to increase the chances of finding your pet.   I have created this lens to help those who have lost their pets and I hope that the information I have gathered will help in some way.   I will also be including products and information on lost pet prevention.  If you have lost a pet and would like to share your story, please submit it below.  Or, if you have a success story as far as finding your pet, please share that as well.  It is the success stories that give so much hope to others who are still looking.  Thank you for viewing my lens and it you have any comments or suggestions, please contact me.

Lastly, never give up hope in finding your pet. 

Why I Created This Lens

Photobucket - Video and Image HostingI have personally never lost a pet of my own and am thankful for that. However, I run a photo hosting site for newspaper classified ads. When I developed the site, I never imagined how many photos we would have uploaded of lost pets. We have had hundreds of them and each time I view the photos of a lost pet, it just breaks my heart. We even have one customer that has been renewing her lost dog photos for over a year...she is still looking, still hoping.

That is why I have taken the time to research and provide this information for everyone. Hoping that in some way I can help.

PetSafe Containment Systems

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Tips on Finding Your Lost Pet

  • Visit all Veterinarian offices, Pet Shops and Animal Shelters in your area. Leave a picture of your lost pet. If you can, visit these places daily to be certain they do not have your pet.


  • Pets, especially small ones, have the ability to fit into very small places. The first place you should look is inside your home as well as on your property. Don't assume your pet would never crawl in such small area. Many times pets are found on their owner's property.


  • Place a lost pet listing in your newspaper classifieds and check the 'lost pet' section daily.


  • Since pets generally don't stray too far away from home, check your neighborhood thoroughly. Talk to all of your neighbors and leave your phone number along with a photo incase they see your pet.


  • Call your pet while searching the area since they can hear from great distances. Bring their favorite snacks and toys along with you. Use them to make familar noises for your pet.


  • Create flyers on brightly colored poster boards and post them in your area. Consider using plastic sheet protectors for your flyers to keep them uncurled and readable.


  • Speak to anyone that is regularly in your neighborhood including the newspaper delivery person, mail carrier, etc.
  • Consider leaving an alternate message and phone number on your answering machine so you will be able to return calls promptly.


  • Find some scented items familiar to your pet such as toys, bedding, etc. Leave these items on your front porch and yard.


  • If you can, offer a reward for the safe return of your pet.


  • Call the city, county, and state road crews, DOT, and Animal Control daily to see if they have found your pet.

    • Lost Pet Prevention Products

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    Useful Lost Pet Websites

    I have searched the Internet to find as many Lost Pet websites as I could. Hopefully, these sites will assist you in finding your pet.
    Pets Lost and Found
    Premier information resource for the recovery of lost and found articles and pets.
    Dog Detectives
    The first and largest database of lost, found and stolen dogs on the Internet. (Worldwide Database)
    Lost Pet SOS
    Search and Report Lost Dogs, Lost Cats, and other Lost Pets or Companion Animals.
    Petfinder.com
    Post a lost pet ad.
    FidoFinder.com
    Where lost dogs are found. Post a lost or found pet.
    TabbyTracker.com
    Post a lost or found cat.
    Missing Pets Bureau
    The Missing Pets Bureau operates a national Missing Pets Register and works closely with 12,000 pet care organisations.
    General Pet Search Tips
    Tips for finding lost and missing cats.
    Pet Rescue
    How to find a lost cat or dog.
    Craigslist
    Features a lost and found section. This section does not currently allow photos so you can use our photo hosting service mentioned above to link to your pet's photos.
    Pet Detectives
    Professional pet detectives currently serving the areas of California, Michigan, Maryland and North Carolina.
    Quality Dogs.com Lost Pet Ads
    Place free lost dogs ads with photos.
    Flealess Market's
    International lost pet database.
    Sherlock Bones
    John Keane, professionally known as Sherlock Bones, "Tracer of Missing Pets", is considered the leading authority in the field of pet recovery.

    Lost Pet Websites outside of the U.S.

    These websites also contain very valuable lost pet advice so please check them out even if you have not lost a pet in one of these countries. However, I decided to separate out the non-U.S. websites so people looking to place a lost pet ad can go to the appropriate website/country. I plan on adding a lot more non-U.S. websites to this list as I find them.
    Pet Finders
    An Australian based lost pet website.
    Cat Chat
    A U.K. based website featuring tips on what to do if you have Lost, or Found a Cat, Local Lost & Found Registers, National Lost & Found Registers.
    Canada Strays
    A Canada based site offering free services dedicated to helping owners reunite with their lost pets, and to finding homeless-or rescued and unwanted-animals a warm and comfortable place to live.

    Facts About Lost Pets

    1. 32% of Lost Dogs are found over 10 miles away.
    2. A dog can hear sounds 250 yards away that most people cannot hear beyond 25 yards. So, when searching for your dog in your neighborhood keep calling his/her name.
    3. Some authorities estimate that some dogs sense of olfaction (smelling) is as high as 1 million times greater than ours. Therefore, it is important to leave strong smelling items familiar to your dog on your porch to help guide them home.
    4. Most shelters can only keep an animal for 3 days so it is very important to notify shelters, humane societies and rescue groups immediately if your pet is lost.
    5. Studies show that more lost dogs are renunited with their owners than lost cats. 71% of dogs and 53% of cat are found. One reason is that dogs tend to wear better identification. The other main reason is that many people think that missing cats just come home on their own and therefore wait longer to call/visit shelters.

    Pet ID Tags

    Customized Personalized Engraving
    Wide Variety of Colors, Shapes, & Sizes
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    Add OwnerAlert! for 24-hour Pet Recovery Assistance
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    "Gone but not Forgotten"

    I went out for a walk
    It was so lovely in the sun.
    Chasing the leaves, I was having so much fun.

    Jumping and climbing I could have done it all day.
    When I stopped to rest, I realised I had lost my way.

    I love and miss you and want you to know , it was nothing you have done.
    I just got carried away with playing in the sun.

    Please try not to worry too much about me.
    I can look after myself, and in a way I am free.

    Although I'll never stop looking for a way home, we will never be apart.
    I will always feel your love for me, deep within my heart.

    It may be all we have for now, but it's enough for me.
    Cause you'll never know when I'll walk through your door and expect you to have my tea.

    Written by Kerri Marsh of Rainbow Creations.
    http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/rainbowc/poems.htm
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    Useful Lost Pet Articles

    How To Find a Lost Cat
    Finding Fido
    What To Do In Case You Loose Your Pet
    Your Dog Goes Missing

    This Lens Supports the ASPCA

    The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and we continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it's saving a pet who has been accidentally poisoned, fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse or sharing resources wi

    Lost a Pet, Have a Success Story to Share or

    Just want to comment on this lens? Post it here~

    • d-artist Feb 27, 2012 @ 9:01 am | delete
      Very informative lens! microchip is a way to find a lost pet, posting in Feed stores, grocery stores, even at church...some towns have free lost listings in they shopping news. I can't even tell you how heart broken I was when I lost a cat, not knowing it's fate is hard to take....
    • AlphaChic Feb 18, 2012 @ 7:24 pm | delete
      I am in the habit of returning lost dogs to their homes. I once saw a Chihuahua on our busy street and followed it (it would not let me approach) for about 30 minutes until I was satisfied it had found its home. It thought I was very strange for following it ;)
    • Dorishappy Apr 21, 2011 @ 3:47 am | delete
      I lost one dog once. My brother and I felt very sad. A few days after my dog lost, we found her dogskin in our neibour's house. My brother felt so angry that he even wanted to beat the man. .... My daddy finally stopped the idea of my brother. I think if everyone cares more about pets and do not eat or mistreat them, we will not need to worry again in the future.
    • RBUK Jan 9, 2011 @ 3:36 am | delete
      Thanks for sharing this great Lens. It is is really great that you are raising awareness here and making a positive difference. Keep up the great work. Ryan @ Rabbit Hutch UK
    • Momsbusy247 Dec 21, 2010 @ 11:59 pm | delete
      Such important information you share here. Thank heavens I have never lost a pet, but I have been out helping friends find their lost ones and it is traumatic.
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