It’s an all-too-common scene: an owner calls us frantic, because her dog has gone missing and she is hoping someone has found him. Unfortunately, more often than not, all we can do is post a notice of the missing pet, and hope that we can celebrate a
happy reunion soon. With over 10 million pets going missing each year in the US, on average, this nightmare is playing out every 3 seconds.

Here’s a few things you can do today to increase the chances of a successful reunion if you are ever in this awful situation:

1.       Take pictures of your pets – an accurate image of what your pet looks like will make it easier to post flyers, social media alerts, and claim your pet if he arrives at a shelter or vet; if possible,
use a light colored background that will show up better on flyers

2.       Check your pet’s identification – make sure your pet has a microchip in place and that registration information is accurate; pets with microchips are 20 times more likely to make it home; ID tags help, too, as long as your pet’s collar stays on

3.       Spay or neuter your pet – un-spayed females and un-neutered males are more likely to wander in the first place and more likely to go farther than their spayed and neutered counterparts

If the unimaginable does happen and your pet is missing:

• • Start your search efforts immediately; while your pet may return, every day that passes without rescue efforts reduces the chances of success

• • Immediately put out some food, water, and a familiar bed or blanket where your pet was last seen

• • Contact local police, animal control, shelters, and vets; let them know your pet has gone missing, provide a detailed description, microchip number, and photos; contact the same groups in surrounding counties in case your pet has gone farther

• • Notify the microchip company that your pet is missing; they can confirm your contact details and may be able to distribute flyers on your behalf to businesses

• • Make LOTS of flyers and enlist friends and family to begin posting and handing them out near where your pet went missing, but also in surrounding areas

• • Post a digital flyer on social media and ask everyone you know to share it; send the same information to local vets and animal rescues to help disseminate it; call local radio and TV stations to see if they can broadcast a notice at no charge; post
    on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and rescue sites

• • Call and visit all shelters on a daily basis to enquire and search for your pet

• • Visit the area your pet went missing frequently; remind anyone helping not to shout or chase after your pet; he is likely very scared, and a calm approach, using lots of yummy treats and food to gently lure him to them is more likely to work

RESOURCES:

It’s an all-too-common scene: an owner calls us frantic, because her dog has gone missing and she is hoping someone has found him. Unfortunately, more often than not, all we can do is post a notice of the missing pet, and hope that we can celebrate a
happy reunion soon. With over 10 million pets going missing each year in the US, on average, this nightmare is playing out every 3 seconds. Here’s a few things you can do today to increase the chances of a successful reunion if you are ever in this
awful situation:

1. 1. Take pictures of your pets – an accurate image of what your pet looks like will make it easier to post flyers, social media alerts, and claim your pet if he arrives at a shelter or vet; if possible, use a light colored background that
      will show up better on flyers
   2. Check your pet’s identification – make sure your pet has a microchip in place and that registration information is accurate; pets with microchips are 20 times more likely to make it home; ID tags help, too, as long as your pet’s collar
      stays on
   3. Spay or neuter your pet – unsprayed females and unneutered males are more likely to wander in the first place and more likely to go farther than their spayed and neutered counterparts

If the unimaginable does happen and your pet is missing:

• • Start your search efforts immediately; while your pet may return, every day that passes without rescue efforts reduces the chances of success

• • Immediately put out some food, water, and a familiar bed or blanket where your pet was last seen

• • Contact local police, animal control, shelters, and vets; let them know your pet has gone missing, provide a detailed description, microchip number, and photos; contact the same groups in surrounding counties in case your pet has gone farther

• • Notify the microchip company that your pet is missing; they can confirm your contact details and may be able to distribute flyers on your behalf to businesses

• • Make LOTS of flyers and enlist friends and family to begin posting and handing them out near where your pet went missing, but also in surrounding areas

• • Post a digital flyer on social media and ask everyone you know to share it; send the same information to local vets and animal rescues to help disseminate it; call local radio and TV stations to see if they can broadcast a notice at no charge; post
    on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and rescue sites

• • Call and visit all shelters on a daily basis to enquire and search for your pet

• • Visit the area your pet went missing frequently; remind anyone helping not to shout or chase after your pet; he is likely very scared, and a calm approach, using lots of yummy treats and food to gently lure him to them is more likely to work

RESOURCES:

• • Lost Dogs Illinois
  • Will County Animal Control
  • American Humane’s Tips if your pet goes missing