It seems lately that we have been posting a lot of missing and lost pets on our Facebook page. This truly is a wonderful avenue to get the word out. Just last night I posted a “missing beagle” in the Presque Isle area, and within a short time it had been seen and shared by over 90 people, and the next day over 120 shares.
It can be a very scary and unsettling feeling to know that your beloved pet is missing and is lost out in the snow and cold. There are volunteers who read our post and immediately go out looking to try to find that pet. We all hope pets and families will be reunited. Here are some tips that will help in the event your pet is lost.
First things first: Please call the Central Aroostook Humane Society as soon as you suspect your pet is missing. We keep an eye out for any strays that are brought in. Contact your town animal control officer (ACO) or police department with a detailed description.
Many dogs and cats are quickly picked up by town ACOs or concerned citizens and brought to the shelter. Calling as soon as possible increases your chances of being reunited. We also encourage frequent visits to the shelter while your pet is missing.
Investigate EVERY nook and cranny: Don’t assume your pet would never crawl into a tiny space. Look behind, under and inside washing machines, clothes dryers, stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers. Look behind water heaters, in boxes, under furniture, under beds, in closets, in cabinets, in shelves and bookcases, in drain pipes, in sewer drains, in culvert pipes, under vehicles, in crawl spaces under the house, inside sheds and barns, etc. In the case of cats, also look in attic crawl spaces, drop ceilings, on the roof, in roof gutters and up in trees.
Illuminate hiding spots. Bring a flashlight (even during daylight hours) for checking in dark spaces. A frightened or injured pet will hide in dark spaces and may not come to you. Use your flashlight for checking under houses and other dark spots. Also check storage sheds, garages, dumpsters, trash cans and under cars. Don’t forget to look in trees for cats.
Go door to door in your neighborhood and post fliers. Leave them with each resident you speak to, or attached to the door of those who are not home. It is extremely important to post MANY flyers about your lost pet within a 1-mile radius of where it was lost.
Include the following:
Use only your phone number. Do not place your name or address on your flyer.
If possible, place a color photo of your pet on each flyer.
Use 8.5″ x 11″ fluorescent-colored paper for high visibility.
List the date and place your pet was lost, breed of dog or cat, sex, age, weight, color, markings and your telephone number.
Offer a reward, but don’t state the amount.
Examine your posted flyers frequently and replace the ones that are missing or damaged.
Important information: Always keep a collar on your pet with a tag that has your current phone number on it, including the area code.
Always have a current rabies tag and pet license tag attached to your pet’s collar. They can be found by the number on the tags.
Talk to your vet about a microchip implant. A microchip provides positive and reliable identificatdion for your pet and most shelters scan animals for this ID device.
Don’t give up. Pets have been known to find their way back home after being lost for several months. Be sure to let us know as soon as possible that your pet has been found.
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is located at 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 to 4:00, closing for lunch 12-12:30. Check out our Facebook page and please remember to be responsible, spay and neuter your pets!
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
