Keep Hope Alive pt.1

     If you've been searching for you lost pet for some time and haven't had much success don't lose all hope just yet. There are still some other tasks still that must be covered in the search for a lost dog or cat. There aren‘t any magic bullet points to find a pet. However, there are effective techniques that get results. Don‘t give-up now! There is still hope. Keep up the momentum of your search, and move onward and upwards. Here are some key things to keep in mind during your search.

     

     Additional Pet Detective services. Consider hiring a Pet Detective to search in-person or provide help via phone. We offer one hour phone consultations given by two highly renowned Pet Detectives. Call us at 800-925-2410 or 818-442-2952 for more information. We can also provide other services, such as Fur and DNA Analysis, contacting the media, finding Pet Detectives near you, and more

    

     Leave a way for your pet to come home safely. If your pet attempts to return home it is important that there is a safe way for them to enter your property – especially at night, when you are away from home. Either leave a door cracked or propped open, or a garage or gate open. If that isn‘t an option for you, consider using baby monitors, leaving a window open or installing motion sensor lights so you are alerted to activity outside during the night. Veterinary studies have shown that only 8% of lost pets return home

Recently we have worked a number of cases where the pet did attempt to return home. In addition, a few different cases have revealed that especially in cases where the dog is lost away from home, that the owner sleeping outside for the pet is actually an effective technique. Please remember to use caution with this technique. This is much more effective in rural areas.

   

  Ask for more help. If you asked for help during your initial search, you know that having people assist in the search is invaluable. Take a look at people who are willing to help. When asking for help, make sure to provide specific tasks so the person knows what they are getting into and tell them how long the tasks will take. Check Craigslist, friends, family, rescue groups, co-workers and neighbors for people willing to help. 

    

  Pets & trash day. Make sure you are out searching the night before and the morning of trash day. There is a noted correlation between trash day and pets scavenging during trash collection days. Studies have shown that stray dogs and cats are indeed attracted by these irresistible targets. It should be noted that these targets also attracted foxes, cats, badgers etc. Dogs and cats not only scavenge during the night they will also do so during the day.

  

   Maps. If you have done everything listed here and you aren‘t having any luck, there is a reason. One possible reason is because you have excluded areas that are actually in your search area that should be addressed. For example, many pet owners do not search on the other side of a busy street or on a freeway because they think their pet would not go in that direction. If you have a smart phone take advantage of the Google Maps app, which should already be pre-downloaded onto your phone. If not, then print or buy a map and study it carefully. See if there are ANY areas you have not covered. If your dog has been missing for more than 3 days, you should expand out your search 1 – 3 miles to include major intersections for witness development. Use the map as a key and mark on it any sightings, where you searched and where you used other techniques.

       

 Contact the microchip companies. If your dog is micro-chipped, contact Avid at 800-3362843, Home Again at 866-738-4324 or your microchip company. Be sure your dog is registered with them and that the contact number is current and the microchip number is correct. Online at www.AvidID.com or www.HomeAgainID.com . There are other registration companies around, so if you have subscribed to their services, contact them too! If your dog has a microchip, don‘t just trust that the shelter or microchip companies to do their part in your search or to have accurate information. 

      

     Contact the media. Most lost dog cases aren‘t of interest to the media. However, there are exceptions. If you know any media personnel, contact them. If there is something unique about your scenario, such as a dog that lives at a retirement community, or a dog with a medical condition, it is worth trying. Also use this if you are employing unique techniques to find your pet, offering a large reward or if the community is coming together to find your dog. All of these are great angles for the media. We offer media contact services, including writing press releases and contacting the media. Please contact us if interested for a quote

Finally, Mauli is an American Pit Bull/Terrier mix and has been missing from Cleveland, OH since 8/26/3012. If you have any information at all about her whereabouts please contact (216) 409-9274. Thank you