Lila P.
6 years ago
Priscilla, follow these tips. Ignore the ones that are specific to Baltimore, But be sure you follow up with animal control and any of the lost and found pages and shelters for your area.
The first 24 hours after your pet goes missing are the most critical!
1. File a lost report with animal control (barcs in Baltimore City; BCAS in Baltimore County) and notify the microchip company if your pet is chipped.
2. Post your pet as lost on the MD SPCA web site and check their found pet listings. Email the SPCA with a photo and information about your dog. Please note that while the SPCA is authorized to accept strays only from Baltimore City, sometimes people who find pets in the county or elsewhere post to the found pet listings on their website.
3. When stray animals are brought into any of the above-mentioned facilities, they are held for 72 hours in order to allow for time for an owner to claim. Please check the shelters often, and in person. If you are near the city county line, it may be wise to file lost reports with all three. Do not rely on the shelters to contact you, even if your pet is microchipped or was wearing tags when he or she went missing. Tags can fall off or be removed and microchips can fail or be missed by scanners.
4. Put something with your scent outside. If possible, hang it so the wind carries your scent. Put out smelly treats, too.
5. Put up fliers for at least two to three miles in all directions. Place them in plastic page protectors turned upside down to protect from rain. Secure with tacks and fluorescent tape (or print on bright paper to draw the eye). Make your fliers bright/visible and easy to read - LOST, picture, phone #. Remember...not everyone uses Facebook! Fliers are the #1 way missing pets get home.
6. Walk your neighborhood, speak to neighbors and hand out fliers.
7. Post on Facebook to lost and found pet groups, neighborhood/community groups, yardsale sites for your area, etc..
8. Post to NextDoor.com, Craigslist and Pawboost.com (use the free option).
9. Mount a photo on bright posterboard and
hand write LOST, REWARD and your phone number in large print visible from a car. Place at intersections. You can cover these signs with cellophane from the dollar store to protect from rain. Home Depot and Lowes sell blank signs with stands and you can mount bright posterboard to these.
10. Consider using a pet tracker. Dogs Finding Dogs and Pure Gold Pet Trackers are two in the area.
11. Check Craigslist (for sale, pets and lost & found sections) and Facebook sites regularly.
