You are a careful and loving pet parent who takes all the steps necessary to ensure that nothing bad ever happens to your fur kids. If you’re like most people, you don’t expect your pet to go missing, and you probably haven’t thought much about what you would do if your pet were to become lost.
Whether it’s an opened door that goes unnoticed, allowing your kitty to escape to the great outdoors, or a pup running away after being frightened by an afternoon thunderstorm, accidents can happen, and pets can go missing.
With so many different scenarios at play, it can quickly happen to you, no matter how careful you think you are or how well-behaved your pet may be. Therefore, it is essential to be fully prepared if your pet becomes lost.
Here are some tips on what to do if your pet is lost in Washington, D.C.
Act Fast
If your pet becomes lost, don’t waste valuable time simply hoping that your pet might eventually come home. The more quickly you search for your lost pet in the D.C. Metro area, the better your chances of bringing them home safely.
Begin your search around your neighborhood or wherever your pet was last seen, and make sure that you let people in the area know that a pet has gone missing. As you search, call out your pet’s name and check any spaces where they may have become trapped, including under vehicles, inside garages, or in basements. Lost pets often hide in daylight, so if you don’t find your pet before sundown, resume your search after nightfall and bring a flashlight.
Keep a can of pet food on hand or your pet’s favorite treats because sometimes that can lure a scared and hungry from their hiding place.
After Several Hours, Post Fliers
If your initial search is unsuccessful and a few hours have passed since you last saw your pet, hang up flyers around where they were last seen. When creating a lost pet poster, make it brief and easy to read with large letters, an up-to-date photo of your pet, and any necessary identifying details. Make sure your contact details are also included. You can use this free online template to create a missing pet flyer if you need something quickly.
Also, consider making index card-sized printouts with similar information found on your fliers. Then, knock on the doors of any homes and visit businesses in the area where your pet went missing. Leave the cards in mailboxes and on vehicle windshields, and give them to everyone you see.
Hang fliers and posters in high-traffic spots like libraries, pet stores, post offices, veterinarian offices, and grocery stores. Also, hang them on telephone poles and at dog parks, especially in areas where local dog walkers might see them.
Contact Local Agencies
If your dog has become lost in Washington, D.C., call or visit D.C. County Animal Services. All stray dogs and cats or animals that are found running loose are brought there by animal control officers. They can be reached at (202) 576-6664.
Contact the Humane Rescue Alliance in D.C. and any other area shelters for lost pets in Washington, D.C. It is best to visit the shelters rather than call. Describing your pet over the phone can be challenging, and only a pet parent can truly identify their pup. Be sure to check in with animal control and local shelters daily while your pet is missing.
It would be best if you also considered using social networks, like Facebook or Nextdoor, to spread the word that your pet has gone missing. In addition, newspapers and local radio stations are good outlets for spreading the word about a lost pet. Some will even print and broadcast information regarding lost pets free of charge.
When using local media to find a lost pet, be sure to give them detailed information about where your pet went missing, what the pet looks like, and how anyone who might see your pet can contact you. We also recommend offering a reward for your lost pet.
Never Give Up Hope
It is not uncommon for pets to be found far from home or after long periods since disappearing. Pets often reunite with their families through many avenues, so never give up hope. During the search process, ensure that someone is always at home (as much as possible!) to let you know if your pet has returned home.
The best way to ensure your pet returns home quickly and safely is to take preventative measures. For example, making sure your pet has an identification tag on them at all times and having them microchipped will increase the odds of a safe return should they ever become lost.
At Metro Mutts, we hope you never experience the incredible stress and sadness over a lost pet. If you do, we hope our tips have been useful in helping you reunite with your best fur friend.
