Pet Corner - Lost and Found Pets

Did you know that more than 300,000 family pets get lost or go missing every year? Lost pets rarely find their own way back home without some help from animal loving humans. Much as we would like them to, pets can’t tell us where they live and one of the greatest barriers to reuniting them with their owners is the difficulty in identifying them.

It is a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar tag containing the owner’s contact details, however they can all too easily be lost or broken. Cats in particular are adept at losing their collars, have a tendency to roam further afield than expected and their curiosity leads them to investigate open sheds and garages. Having a permanent source of identification is all the more important for dogs now that the police are no longer taking in strays and microchips are endorsed by all major animal welfare organisations. Dogs, cats, rabbits and even tortoises can all have microchips giving them lifelong ID.

How does it work?
The tiny microchip, hardly bigger than a grain of rice, is inserted with a quick injection under the loose skin of the neck. It’s quite straight forward, just like a normal injection and pets rarely feel a thing. It can be done at a regular appointment with the vet or nurse and is immediately activated. The microchip is invisible and can’t be tampered with but it carries your pet’s unique number. This is sent directly to a national database where your contact details are registered securely so that you may be contacted if your pet is found. Animal rescue agencies such as the RSPCA, Cats Protection and Dogs Trust, plus the police and veterinary surgeries all over the country, are equipped with handheld scanners which can read the microchip number allowing your pet to be reunited with you at the earliest opportunity. The only thing to remember is to change your details with the database if you move house.

What should you do if you find a stray pet?
Dogs –
• Have good look around for the owner, the dog may have run off after an interesting scent.
• If it is approachable check the collar for any owner details. It is a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar tag containing the owner’s contact details. Contact the local council Dog Warden who will take it into safe care while trying to trace an owner.
• Contact local vets to report finding the pet so owners searching for it may be informed. Cats/Rabbits –
• Keep an eye on it for a day or two if it still around and doesn’t appear to have returned home contact neighbours in your street as the pet may be local but has become disoriented.
• If it is approachable, take it to a vets or rescue centre where they can scan it to see if it has a microchip. Microchipped pets can be reunited with their owners within hours whereas those who are unidentified often find themselves housed in rescue centres unclaimed and waiting for a new home.

What should you do if your pet goes missing?
• Contact your neighbours and houses further along the street as they may not realise where the pet lives.
• Put up posters in the local area and community areas, contact your local vets, animal rescue shelters with an accurate description and last seen details.
• Contact local vets and rescue centres to see if anyone has reported seeing your pet.
• If your pet is chipped contact your ID chip database to report your pet missing.


This article has been kindly written by Avondale Veternary Centres

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