It can be very upsetting when your pet is missing. Here are some steps for your family to follow to help find a lost pet:

• An adult in your family should call or visit your local animal shelter to report your missing pet. Consider your pet missing when he or she misses a meal.
• Have an adult in your family ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for your missing pet. Have them ask neighbors to check garages, basements, sheds and crawl spaces.
• If your missing pet is an indoor cat, check around the bushes in your yard. Call his or her name regularly. Put out a bowl of favorite food during daylight hours. Have an adult in your family walk with you around the neighborhood.
• Post a sign in your neighborhood with a picture and information about your lost pet.
• If someone calls claiming to have information about your missing pet, have them speak with an adult in your family.
• This is still an important time to remember “the stranger rule”. Don’t talk to strangers and don’t enter anyone’s house, even if they say they have your pet.
• Make sure your dogs and cats are wearing collars and I.D. tags. Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping. Microchips can help an animal shelter or animal control officer find a lost pet’s owner.