Lost & Found
There is nothing more frightening to a pet parent than the possibility of losing your animal. Don’t panic though. Acting decisively and thoroughly is the key to locating your pet. It is important to plan ahead and consider means of safeguarding your animal in the occurrence that they are lost.
How to find your lost pet:
Neighborhood Search
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Search your house and surrounding area. Alert your neighbors and show them a recent picture of your animal. Post flyers and posters.
Visit Shelters & Call around
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Call your closest veterinarian, rescues, and shelters in your area. Visit shelters and physically walk through to check for your lost pet.
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Many pets roam and can be found more than 10 miles from where they were lost.
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A well-meaning citizen may locate and transport your pet to their home, veterinarian, or a shelter closer to where they live. Keep your search radius broad.
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Leave lost pet reports, fliers, and current photos at all locations you visit. Most vet offices and shelters will have locations to post this.
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Check Lost & Found Websites
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Check websites such as www.craigslist.org, www.pawboost.com, www.fidofinder.com, www.petharbor.com.and www.petcolovelost.org
Social Media
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Use social media to your advantage. Many people share posts of lost or found animals. Spread the word and reach as many in your community as you can.
Don't Give Up
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Some pets have been reunited with their owners months or even years after they were lost, so don't give up!
If you’ve found a lost dog
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Take them to the nearest vet clinic to have them scanned for a microchip for free.
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Knock on the doors of neighbors. Most lost dogs are found within 1,000 feet of their home.
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Take an unaltered photo of the dog. Do not assume its breed.
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Hang large and brightly colored posters in the area you found the pet.
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Post on Nextdoor, Petco Love Lost, Facebook, and city specific groups, Craigslist – Pets; – Lost and Found.
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Call Bradley County SPCA at (423) 790-1915 and submit a lost pet report
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Notify your local Animal Control Officer
If you’ve found a lost cat
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Around 35% of owners let their cats roam freely, sometimes without visual identification, like a collar or tag. If a small portion of the cat’s left ear has been surgically removed, that’s called an ‘eartip’. An ear tip is a universal sign that this community cat has already been spayed or neutered! Many outdoor cats may not have an ‘owner’ but do have someone who feeds them and looks out for them who doesn’t let them inside.
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If you find young kittens without their mom, it does not necessarily mean they have been abandoned. Their mother could be out looking for food or finding a more suitable home for her kittens. If you find one or two kittens, mama may be in the process of moving the family and is on her way back for the others. If the kittens appear healthy, please wait and observe from a distance for an hour or two before doing anything else. Important Note: When dealing with mother cats, it’s essential to exercise patience and discretion. These vigilant felines can spot you from a distance. We kindly request that you stay indoors and out of sight for at least 6 hours before drawing any conclusions. For detailed guidance on your next steps, please refer to the following link.
https://bestfriends.org/adopt-and-foster/found-kitten-what-to-do
