Find Lost Pets: Proven Steps & Modern Tools
England has millions of pets, and sadly many are lost or stolen each year. Thankfully some do return, but others don’t, leading to mystifying loss for guardians.
Check all homes, gardens and surrounding areas, and enter the microchip number at Check a Chip to see if animals have been handed into vets, shelters or the police (who may put animals up for adoption, if not claimed after 7 days).
- Some councils have dog wardens you can contact.
- You can register (all species) at DogLost, Pets Reunited and Europetnet.
- Look up local help like Battersea’s Lost Dogs & Cats Line (within M25 area).
- New ideas like facial recognition software are coming onto the market, but until they become mainstream, the ‘old-fashioned’ methods of physically looking, asking and sticking up posters is likely to bring best results.
- One local RSPCA branch suggests leaving out unwashed clothing and the contents of your hoover bag (familiar smells may entice pets back home).
Share on Social Media Groups
This is few times when Facebook may be helpful (another idea is to set a boundary for your area and set up a Next Door account which can be used to report lost/found pets).
America’s PawBoost is a good idea that has reunited over 1.5 million pets. It uses the power of Facebook to lost/found pets in your local area, then print pet flyers. Then their Rescue Squad members get to work.
Create Clear, Eye-Catching Posters
Missing Animal Response Network is a worldwide organisation founded by a former American CSI detective, who uses the same methods to track missing pets. She says that advice for missing dogs, and indoor/outdoor cats is different (most cats will need to be humanely trapped as they won’t just ‘turn up’ if frightened).
Her unique pet posters (which you design yourself, using her simple rules) often lead to recovery, up to months afterwards. If people phone to say they have found your pet, leave off one identifying mark in descriptions, so that you can be sure the caller is genuine.
Alert Local Vets and Animal Shelters
Call or visit all nearby vets, animal charities, and council pounds right away. Many pets are brought in by good neighbours or dog wardens. Leave a printed flyer with them and check in regularly.
Some clinics keep a log of lost and found pets, making it easier to match up missing animals with those found in the area.
Use Community Noticeboards
Many towns have noticeboards in cafes, libraries, churches, or community centres. Posting on these brings the search to people who might not use social media.
Hand out flyers at school gates and ask local businesses to display a poster. The more people see the pet’s face, the better the odds someone will recognise them and get in touch.
Register with Lost Pet Databases
The problem is that there are many online lost/found sites, so information gets diluted. What’s best is to have one site where everyone goes.
Animal Search UK has an army of volunteers to search local areas. Founded by a former policeman, you can also pay to employ their experts who are insured to go in sheds and up ladders, and can send photos of found animals to your phone, while they work.
How to Help Prevent Lost Pets
It’s now a legal requirement for pets to be microchipped, just be sure to update details if you move etc, and keep recent photos and DNA profiles to hand. If others walk or look after your pets, get proper references. Never leave dogs alone outside shops.
Humane training is to help dogs come back when called (neutered dogs are less likely to wander off near roads to seek a mate, or get into fights).
Also ensure gardens have fixed locked gates (and a bell, if someone opens it). Keep animals in view at all times.
Read info on quick-release dog collars (secured on walks by linking lead through D-rings which break off, if dogs entangle).
It’s UK law for cats over 20 weeks to be microchipped, so vets can find guardian if they are lost – offered at reduced rates by Cats Protection.
If you use a collar (for kittens over 6 months), Kitty Collars embroider contact info on the collar, but break away if snagged on a fence.
How to Help Prevent Pet Theft
Most pet thefts are due to custody battles (so it’s rare for violence to be used). But some pet thefts are for financial gain, and most are stolen near to homes.
So create a neighbourhood watch and don’t reveal names or location tags on social media (nor post addresses or walking routes).
All thefts are criminal offences. So call the police with photos, microchip numbers and vehicle registration and log a crime reference number.
As pets are legally ‘chattles’, they sadly don’t hold the same rights as a mobile phone or TV. So their lesser ‘value’ financially means few thieves go to prison.
The law was due to change, before Rishi Sunak ripped up the ‘Kept Animals Bill’ (one of the few good things Boris Johnson did as Prime Minister). The Bill was scrapped, which would have also banned banned puppy smuggling, live exports and trophy hunting imports.
Pet Theft Reform aims to change the law, and is supportive of Nottinghamshire, Devon and Cornwall police that all have pet theft officers.
Founder Dr Daniel Alen says the breeding industry does not help matters, and works with Stolen & Missing Pets Alliance (co-founded with Bruce Forsyth’s daughter whose own dogs were stolen and thankfully returned) to tighten and simplify laws.
She campaigns with vet Marc Abraham (helping ban puppy farms) and actress Brenda Blethyn.
