We all know how stressful it can be to lose a pet, whether it’s yours or someone’s you are watching it can be nerve wrecking and devastating. However, here in Arizona - you are not alone. I am going to share with you as much information as possible to ensure that you are as prepared as you can possibly be with this go to resource!
My first recommendation, get a good picture and start making your lost pet sign to distribute! This will be handy to post on social media, send electronically via email and to print and post up in the area your pet was lost. There is a website that has templates you can use that can help you in a hurry. I found a great one HERE that has everything you need to go ahead and simply enter in all your info, picture too. If you choose not to go this route, what I have found to be most important and helpful to have on any flyer is the following:
- picture of your pet
- date last seen
- area last seen
- contact info if found
Next, contact local deceased animal pickups. I know it is not what you would think to do first, but read on. Every city has their own agency in which they use. Talk to them first. I say this because often times deceased animals will be immediately cremated or (per Arizona law) taken straight to the landfill. What this means in most instances is that if the pet does not have a collar on, most pickup companies will NOT check for a microchip. I am not saying this practice is right, but it is what it is. So that is why I first and foremost would contact these places. Here is another reason why. Most drivers for these agencies pick up quite a few deceased animals per day. It is not always easy for them to remember if they picked up your pet if you ask them a week later. Exhaust this avenue within the first 24 hours. As someone who used to work administratively at a pet crematorium, I definitely always tried to help when I could. Often times frantic pet owners called me and I would ask them to email me with a picture of their pet to be able to show the drivers the same day. I have a full list of these agencies at my disposal, but I have it in a PDF document. Please email me at admin@puffandfluffspa.com to get this emailed to you.
Next, get on social media! Believe it or not, sites like Facebook have helped greatly for owners who have lost their pet. I have seen a great community of animal lovers and rescuers come together to help each other out. It is a great tool that many take for granted when you have a pet missing. There are specific pages dedicated to posting lost and found dogs. Many people help each other out and keep an eye out for possible matches. I myself have had the fortunate pleasure of helping my friend’s lost golden mix found safe and sound mere hours after offering to help post on his behalf. If you do not have Facebook, ask a friend to help post on your behalf. Here are just a few of the pages, just be cognizant of each page’s guidelines:
- Lost Dogs of Arizona: you can post your lost dog here or if you found one you can post here too.
- Straydar: you can post your lost dog here or if you found one you can post here too.
- Lost Cats of Arizona: you can post your lost cat here or if you found one you can post here too.
From here you can start handing out flyers to friends, neighbors, local businesses (like groomers, vet clinics, etc). I would also recommend checking out the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control website. They have an interactive search tool that can help you see where they have picked up stray dogs as well as a website called PetHarbor which will show pictures of the dogs they have picked up as well as dates. They have a stray hold period that lasts about 3 days in order to give the owners ample enough time to try and get their pet back. Also keep an eye out for sites like Craigslist. People who have found strays will usually post there as well.
I am not the foremost expert, but I feel I have learned enough from my experience in the rescue community, so I sincerely hope you find this informative and that it helps you when you need it.
Thanks,
Melissa, Boutique Manager