When pets are lost, we will do anything to bring them home. The real statistics are only about 25% of pets return home safely. To give your pet the best odds of being in that 25%, read the below information.
And most importantly, prevent your pet from being lost. The only true protection you can provide is a GPS tracker. Keep one on your pet at all times. Even pets with no history of wandering get lost accidentally (car accidents, open doors, broken screen, broken clasp on a leash or harness, pet sitters, etc.. ). Even pets with a 100% foolproof recall are still animals that get distracted, make a mistake, get spooked, etc. KEEP A GPS on your animal at ALL times. And KEEP IT CHARGED.
* Animals Have Free Will – I can not tell them to come home. I can try to encourage them, but they can not be forced. However, if there is a reason they are not coming home, I will be able to tell you what the reason is. Changes can be made by the guardian to encourage the pet to return. Sometimes they truly are lost and don’t know how to get home and sometimes they don’t want to go home.
* Lost Pets Hide Very Well – You can walk right past them and even though they know you and they love, they will likely hide because they are afraid. Many lost pets have been found (deceased) in areas where guardians and others have searched. Look everywhere, don’t expect your pet to run out to you. Look in places you think your pet can’t fit.
* Time Matters – Time is of the essence, the longer they are gone, the less likely they will return. Don’t wait. Start looking. Start taking steps to help them safely return.
* They Feel Your Energy – Desperation, control, and panic can push them away. Putting out “lost” energy keeps them lost. Visualize them returning home safely. No matter how far away they are, they feel your energy.
* They Are Afraid – Even the bravest are afraid in some ways. This affects their ability to make good decisions, to get home, and to think rationally. They do not act themselves.
* They Can Survive Longer Than You Think – Don’t give up.
* Leave Items Outside – Leave scented items outside for them. Your dirty clothes, their favorite toys, a dirty litterbox, etc. The scent will help them get home.
* Get Help – Put up fliers. High a themal drone, hire a tracker, hire an animal communicator. Call the shelters and vets to alert them. Start teaching, keep searching. Get people to help you search. If you have a pet with a good friend (another housemate) bring that friend (if the friend can go outside). Animals can help lead you to their friends! Or, encourag their friend to come home.
* Keep Contacts Up To Date – this seems obvious but with busy lives it is easy to forget to update phone numbers, email addresses, and house addresses. Microships, identiciation tags, etc… all of these need to be kept up to date or they don’t help your pet. One day too late (I’ll do it tomorrow), can be too late. Do it the very same day you know your contact information is changing.
Most importantly, never ever think your pet is immune from getting lost. As hard as it is to hear sometimes they leave intentionally and sometimes bad things just happen and they get lost. Even the most homebound pets.
If you would like to set up a lost pet session to get information on your pet’s location, health, and any possible reasons they are not coming home, please email Angie@AngieMorin.com or call/text 1.207.849.0096
