Spring is the busiest time of the year for our shelter staff and each day, the Swift Current SPCA receives frantic calls from pet owners who have lost their beloved companion. While our team works very hard to ensure every lost pet turned into our shelter makes their way home safely, there are many steps that pet owners can take to ensure their pet returns to their family.
DON’T PANIC!
This first advice is, by far, the hardest. As scary as it is to discover your pet is missing, the most important thing you can do is remain calm. Replace your panic with a new mantra:
STOP. THINK. PLAN.
Stop and take a few deep breaths. Examine the situation and think about what may have happened (when was the last time you saw your pet, how long ago was that, where is your pet inclined to go etc.). Once you have some ideas, start making a plan. If your pet has been gone for a very short time, it may make sense to go looking and calling for them. If they’ve been missing for a while, here are a number of steps you can take to bring Fido or Fluffy home safe and sound:
- Start making lost reports. When you call, provide as much information as you can about where and when your pet was lost and provide a good description of your pet.
- Check with local vet clinics as well as your local shelters.
- Put your pet things outside to entice your pet home. Place their litter-box and a bed they use regularly outside.
- Arrange a search party and go look for your pet
- Create lost posters with your pets picture and your contact info on it.
- Above all don’t lose hope!
Melissa Topham RVT
Shelter Operations Manager
