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Missing Pets
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How to Find Your Missing Pet: |
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The loss of a pet is upsetting and stressful. We have prepared the following suggestions to help you find your missing friend. Please take a few minutes to read them: |
- Call The Greater Fredericksburg SPCA at (540) 373-9008 immediately to report your pet missing.
- Come to the SPCA in person as soon as possible. Visit within five days of losing your pet and come at least twice a week until your pet is found.
- Return to look at least twice a week or as often as possible. Stray animals sometimes arrive weeks or months after they first disappear.
- Click here to file a Lost/Missing Pet Report Online or Print it out and deliver it at the SPCA.
- We advise you to check all neighboring animal shelters as soon as possible. Your pet can run fast and far. When pets are found, people often take them to the shelter nearest their home.
- Search for your companion animal. Canvass your neighborhood on foot, by car, during the day and at night. Look in garages, yards, basements, closets, under cars, in shrubbery, and at your neighbors' homes as well as your own.
- Call and whistle to your pet. She may be injured, frightened, trapped or unable to come to you. Hearing your voice may encourage your pet to answer you. Remain in one place long enough for your pet to find you after you call.
- Tell friends, neighbors, kids, babysitters, mail carriers, etc. that your pet is missing.
- Post Lost Pet notices on bulletin boards in stores, churches, libraries and around your neighborhood. Include the pet's name, description, a photograph, and your name, address and phone number.
- Advertise in local newspapers. Some run free Lost Pet columns, others will charge. Offer a reward, but do not specify the amount.
- Watch the Found Pet columns in the local newspapers.
- Contact local radio stations. Some may be willing to make an announcement for you.
- Contact breed clubs and specific rescue groups if your pet is a purebred. They may have information on your animals.
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| Remember: |
- Keep ID tags/license on your pet at all times and also microchip your pet
- Keep your dog confined and walk him or her on a leash
- Train your pet to respond to your commands
- Be sure your current address and phone
numbers are listed on all registration records |
| When filling out lost reports or writing a newspaper ad, remember to include the following: |
- Pictures of your pet
- A description of what your pet was wearing (collar, etc.)
- A description of your pet's physical characteristics (breed, color, identifying marks, etc.)
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| When you find your pet, examine him or her thoroughly for hidden injuries or signs of illness. |
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