Lost & Found
Lost
Missing pets often end up at the animal shelter.
The best way to make sure your pet is returned to you is to have proper
identification on the collar as well as a microchip that can be inserted
by a veterinarian. A tag with your name, address and phone number enables
whoever finds your pet to contact you immediately. Wearing a rabies tag,
which is required by law, also means your pet can be traced to you. Since
collars can sometimes fall off, a microchip provides permanent identification
that can be accessed with a scanner. All incoming pets to the humane society
or veterinarians are scanned.
Other things you
can do:
• Notify
the animal shelter so the staff can be on the lookout for your pet. Bring
a picture or give a complete, detailed description of your lost pet.
Check back every few days. Your pet may wander or be kept by someone
for a while before being turned in. Try to visit the shelter in person
to see if your pet is there.
• Look around the neighborhood and ask neighbors if they
have seen the missing animal. Try driving around the area at night, since
pets may hide out during the day. Drive slowly; your pet may recognize
the sound of your car.
• Post notices in public places like shopping centers
and veterinarian’s offices. Include a picture of the lost pet and offer
a reward for your pet’s return.
• Advertise on the radio and in the newspaper
and watch the found ads in the newspaper. Respond to any that might possibly
be your dog or cat, since wandering can change your pet’s appearance.
Found
If you find a dog or cat, you may put a “Found”
ad in the Danville Advocate-Messenger (www.amnews or
(859) 236-2551) free of charge. Provide a description of the animal, but
leave out a unique characteristic, such as a scar or a particularly unusual
marking so that if someone calls to claim the pet, you can be sure they
are the owner. The person should also bring proof, such as a photo, county
dog tag, rabies tag or vet bill. Found pets can also be brought to the
humane society, but it’s a big help if the “finder” can keep the pet for
at least a few days since it could be reclaimed quickly.