Losing a pet is an extremely scary and stressful experience. You are not alone. An estimated one in three pets will become lost during their lifetime. Use the resource below for tips on smart search techniques as well as pet loss prevention.
LOST PETS - WHAT TO DO FIRST
• Don't Wait! Begin your search immediately. A motivated animal can travel a significant distance in a short amount of time, putting them at risk. You'll need a smart search strategy that depends on your pet (shy, indoor-only, has outdoor experience, etc.) Click here for smart strategies for cats and here for dogs.
• Petco Love Lost is a free and easy way to search 200,000+ lost and found pets to help them return home.
By uploading a photo of your lost pet and reporting in the Petco Love Lost system, you will be able to see pets who are at local shelters, rescues, and who have been found by people in the community.
• For lost cats, begin your search close to home (or the location your cat was lost). While some animals will travel when lost or frightened, many—especially shy, nervous, or indoor-only cats—will hole up within a 3-house radius of the place they went missing.
• Don't give up! Searching for a lost pet successfully can be time-consuming and discouraging. Enlist the help of your friends and neighbors in making signs, thoroughly searching nooks and crannies, and canvassing the neighborhood.
• File a report with the animal control officer in your city or town. The animal control authority for the cities of Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee is Thomas J. O'Connor. Animal control divisions in other cities and towns can be found through your town website or police department. Click here for a listing of Massachusetts Animal Control officers.
More resources are available to aid in your search including Missing Dogs Massachusetts and this video on lost cats by Front Street Animal Shelter of Sacramento. Additionally, Lost Cat Finder is a paid service, but offers excellent information for lost pet recovery.